Grasso announces 2019-20 non-conference schedule

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Two trips to Big Ten opponents and a season opener at the Chace Athletic Center against an in-state foe highlight the 2019-20 Bryant University men's basketball non-conference schedule, announced Monday by head coach Jared Grasso.

Bryant's 13-game non-conference slate consists of five home games and eight road contests with the Bulldogs playing three of their first five games at the Chace.

The Black & Gold open their season in Smithfield for the first time in 11 seasons when Bryant hosts Brown on Opening Night (Nov. 5). The Bulldogs and Bears have met in all 11 of Bryant's Division I campaigns with Brown holding a 9-2 advantage. Bryant is looking for its first victory in the series since 2013-14.

Bryant's first road trip brings the Bulldogs to Big Ten member Rutgers (Nov. 7) in the first game of a multi-team event. The Scarlet Knights have won both prior meetings including a game in Piscataway in 2017-18.

The Bulldogs return home to host Cornell in a Sunday afternoon clash (Nov. 10). Bryant and Cornell will square off for the first time since 2009-10 with the Big Red having taken both previous meetings.

A second early-season trip to the Garden State will follow when Bryant faces Saint Peter's in Jersey City (Nov. 13). The contest is a return of a 71-63 Bulldog victory in last season's home opener, which gave Grasso his first Bryant victory.

Northern Vermont-Lyndon will visit Smithfield as part of the Rutgers multi-team event (Nov. 15). The Hornets are a Division III member in the North Atlantic Conference.

Bryant will go on the road to visit two first-time opponents when the Bulldogs travel to Niagara (Nov. 18) and Drexel (Nov. 20). Both games are part of the Rutgers multi-team event.

The Bulldogs continue their series with New Hampshire when Bryant makes its first of two treks to the Granite State (Nov. 26). Bryant defeated New Hampshire 75-65 last season at the Chace, erasing a 14-point second-half deficit for the victory.

Bryant will host Navy to open December as part of a Monday night basketball doubleheader (Dec. 2). The annual meeting with the Midshipmen will hold extra significance this season, as it will be the final one with Ronald K. Machtley – a 1970 graduate of the Naval Academy – as Bryant University President before his retirement next spring.

Columbia travels to Bryant for the Bulldogs' final home non-conference game (Dec. 6). The teams are meeting for the second-consecutive season and for the first time in Smithfield since 2009-10.

Bryant's first meeting with Atlantic 10 member Fordham will follow in the Bronx (Dec. 10). The contest comes 10 years to the week of Grasso's first collegiate head coaching victory as the interim leader of the Rams.

After a break for finals, Bryant will return to action for a Saturday matinee at Dartmouth (Dec. 21). The Bulldogs edged the Big Green 68-67 last season thanks to a last-second three-pointer from SaBastian Townes (Chesapeake, Va.).

Bryant closes non-conference play against a Big Ten member for the second-straight year when the Bulldogs travel to Maryland (Dec. 29). The teams will face off for the first time since Bryant's inaugural Division I season in 2008-09.

The 18-game Northeast Conference schedule will begin Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, when the Bulldogs host Saint Francis U at the Chace Athletic Center. The full 2019-20 schedule is available HERE.

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