Bethesda University is going to play two games on the same day, in different states, with tipoffs scheduled for just one hour apart, as part of the weirdest non-conference schedule in college basketball. It will actually happen in back-to-back weeks and again in December.
Technically speaking, the Flames have two different teams.
There are three different days during the first two months of the college basketball season that feature games at the same time in different states. It is very possible that Bethesda will not get a single win until conference play.
What is Bethesda University?
Founded in 1976 by famous South Korean Pentecostal Pastor David Yonggi Cho, Bethesda University is located in Anaheim, California. It is a private Christian school that is rooted in a Pentecostal mission and affiliated with the Full Gospel movement.
The university’s core values are listed as: Faith, Excellence, Community and Service. It enrolls somewhere between 250 and 400 students, split approximately 80/20 between undergraduate and graduate programs. More than 20 nations are represented in the student body. Students are able to work toward Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration, Music, Early Childhood Education and Religion/Theology, Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Biblical Studies, Music and Divinity, and/or a Doctoral degree in Ministry.
“Bethesda University exists to prepare students to impact the world through a Christ-centered education that integrates faith, learning, and service. Founded on the principles of Pentecostal theology, we equip leaders for ministry, business, music, education, and technology.
“With a diverse student body representing over 20 nations, Bethesda fosters a global community where students grow academically, spiritually, and culturally. Our Anaheim campus sits in the heart of Southern California, offering unparalleled access to industry, ministry, and cultural opportunities.”
Although Bethesda is as small as it is, the Flames compete in five intercollegiate sports as members of the National Christian College Athletic Association. That includes men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and baseball. The men’s basketball program became just the second non-NCAA/NAIA program in history to upset an NCAA Division I program twice when it defeated Cal State Northridge in 2016 and 2021. It most recently began the 2026-27 season at 0-4.
The Flames play the weirdest schedule in college basketball.
Bethesda lost to La Sierra, Life Pacific and Hope International in its first three games of the 2026-27 season. It will not play its first home game until the 16th of December. The Flames will play 18-straight games on the road or at a “neutral site” that is not their home gym. That includes a few different games that will be played on the same time on the same day in different states.
Bethesda are scheduled to play five games in four days in three states from Nov. 6 through Nov. 9.
- Friday, November 6
- at University of Hawaii in Honolulu — 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 7
- at Southern Utah University in Cedar City – 7:30 p.m.
- at Pepperdine University in Malibu — 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, November 8
- vs. University of Portland in Honolulu — 2:30 p.m.
- Monday, November 9
- vs. UT Arlington in Honolulu — 4:30 p.m.
How is that possible? The Flames are sending two different teams to two different locations.
Bethesda University lists 23 players on its active roster for men’s basketball in 2026-27. That includes 21 guards, one forward and one center. One of the two teams has 11 players. The other has 12.
And that is not the only time this will happen! Bethesda will play at West Coast Baptist College and La Sierra University around the same time on Nov. 11. It will also play at The Masters University and Sacramento State at the same time on Dec. 9.
A small private Christian school that you had probably never heard of will play the most unusual schedule in college basketball!