SIUE Finalizes Men's Basketball Nonconference Schedule

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Published on September 28 2023 10:25 am
Last Updated on September 28 2023 10:26 am

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Following a season in which SIUE men's basketball won 19 games and advanced to the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, the Cougars have finalized their nonconference schedule for 2023, including six home contests at First Community Arena.

"Our nonconference schedule is going to be challenging from the first game until the last," SIUE Head Coach Brian Barone said. "This off-season has created a unique scheduling process with our program's upward trajectory. We cannot wait to go out on a national stage to compete."

The home schedule begins with an exhibition contest against East-West University (Oct. 29). North Park University comes to Edwardsville for the home opener (Nov. 9) at 7:30 p.m. The date also is the home opener for the SIUE women, who will face Eastern Kentucky at 5 p.m., and SIUE will be celebrating Military Appreciation Night.  
November continues with home games against Detroit Mercy (Nov. 25) and Missouri Baptist (Nov. 28). Green Bay (Dec. 6) and Central Christian (Dec. 28) round out the home portion of the nonconference schedule.

"Bringing in Detroit has been a long time coming and we were finally able to make it happen," Barone said. "Detroit and Green Bay coming to First Community Arena puts two quality Horizon League opponents in front of our fans." 

The Cougars also will play six non-conference game away from home, beginning with the regular season opener at Dayton (Nov. 6). A week later, the Cougars return to Missouri (Nov. 13).

"Starting the season at Dayton will be dynamic," Barone said. "The arena will be filled for their home opener, and they return arguably a top-15 team in the country and A-10 conference favorite. We also look forward to going back to Missouri this season to challenge ourselves against another top 25 program."

SIUE will take part in a multi-team event at South Alabama where they will face Denver (Nov. 16), Nichols State (Nov. 17) and host South Alabama (Nov. 19). The Cougars will then travel for December games at Troy (Dec. 1), Ball State (Dec. 10), and Bradley (Dec. 21).

"Overall, our nonconference schedule will provide us a variety of play styles, environments, and situations that should prepare us for our conference opponents," Barone added.
The previously announced 18-game OVC schedule gets underway at home when Eastern Illinois visits Edwardsville (Dec. 29).

Season tickets and mini plans for SIUE Basketball will go on-sale on Tuesday, Oct. 3. All ticket information will be available online on the SIUE Ticket Page. For ticket inquiries, contact Associate AD/Sales and Partnerships Jake Sutter at 618-650-2872 or by email at jaksutt@siue.edu.