Bryant finalizes non-conference schedule
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University men's basketball team has finalized its non-conference schedule with the addition of two regular-season games and an exhibition contest.
Head coach Jared Grasso and the Bulldogs will officially open the season on Tuesday, November 9 against NAIA opponent Fisher College. Bryant also added a home contest with Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 22, the final non-conference date of the year.
"Going into this offseason we made the decision we were going to really try and challenge ourselves in the non-conference," Grasso said. "It was a very challenging summer finding games, but Phil Martelli did a masterful job at putting together a schedule that will prepare us for everything we are going to see in NEC play. Our players are excited by the challenge and can't wait to tip off in front of a packed house on Nov. 9."
Bryant's meeting with Eastern Kentucky will be a reunion with former assistant coach Mike Allen, the Colonels recruiting coordinator. EKU went 22-7 last winter, falling in the Ohio Valley Conference semifinals.
In addition, the Bulldogs will also play an exhibition contest against Division III Nichols College. That game will also be a reunion as former associate head coach Brock Erickson is in his first year as the head coach with the Bison.
Bryant's non-conference schedule is now complete and features 13 games, including four inside the Chace Athletic Center. Following its Opening Night matchup with Fisher, the Black and Gold will face in-state foe Rhode Island on Nov. 12 in the first game of the Sunshine Slam. Bryant will then trek to Clemson, South Carolina, to face the Tigers on Nov. 15 before completing the Sunshine Slam with a pair of games in Daytona Beach on Nov. 20-21.
The Black and Gold will then face Brown the day after Thanksgiving before hosting Dartmouth on Nov. 28. Bryant will open the month of December with games at Houston (Dec. 3) and Cincinnati (Dec. 5). The Bulldogs will face a Cougars team that advanced to the Final Four last season and will likely be ranked in the preseason top 25.
Bryant will close out the non-conference portion of its schedule with games against New Hampshire (Dec. 8 at home), Stony Brook (Dec. 11 on the road), Cornell (Dec. 19 on the road) and Eastern Kentucky (Dec. 22 at home).
The Bulldogs open their 18-game Northeast Conference schedule on Dec. 29 at Central Connecticut.
Game times and ticket information will be available shortly.
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