MBB Releases 2011-12 Non-Conference Schedule
7/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WACO, Texas - Nine home games, a neutral-site matchup against Mississippi State in Dallas and a pair of trips out west highlight the Baylor men's basketball non-conference schedule released Thursday. The non-conference schedule was initially rolled out Thursday morning on Baylor's social media channels with a four-part video series featuring A.J. Walton, Perry Jones III, Fred Ellis, Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello.
Five teams among Baylor's 14-game non-conference slate appeared in either the NCAA Tournament (San Diego State, BYU) or NIT (Northwestern, Texas Southern, Bethune-Cookman) last season. Three more possible Las Vegas Classic opponents - Missouri State (NIT), Saint Mary's (NIT) and West Virginia (NCAA) - also advanced to the postseason in 2011.
Including Baylor's nine Big 12 home games, the Bears will play a Ferrell Center record-tying 18 home contests, tied for the most in the Drew era. Last season, Baylor played 18 home games, posting a 15-3 mark at home. Baylor's final non-conference home game, exhibition contest and its 18-game round-robin Big 12 Conference schedule will be announced at a later date.
"Our staff works extremely hard in an effort to make our non-conference schedule better and this year RPI-wise we have done just that," Drew said. "Anytime we can play (18 games) at home, it gives our team a tremendous home-court advantage because of the great fan support we receive from Baylor Nation."
Baylor is 91-47 over the last four seasons and posted three consecutive 20-win seasons as well as three straight postseason appearances before missing out on the postseason in 2010-11.
Baylor will open the 2011-12 season with three home games in a five-day stretch against Texas Southern (Nov. 11), Jackson State (Nov. 13) and 2011 Mountain West champion San Diego State (Nov. 15). The Bears close November with two more home contests versus South Carolina State (Nov. 22) and Prairie View A&M (Nov. 29).
Sophomore Perry Jones III will make his 2011-12 season debut in Baylor's first road game of the season, Dec. 4 at Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. After fall finals are completed, Baylor returns to the hardwood with two Las Vegas Classic home games - Bethune-Cookman (Dec. 14) and Kennesaw State (Dec. 19) - and a trip to Provo, Utah, to face BYU (Dec. 17).
"BYU is a nationally recognized program that has a reputation as one of the toughest places to play in the nation," Drew said. "With Northwestern, we have the chance to play in a Big Ten venue in the Chicago area, which will give us great exposure. Both will prepare us for Big 12 play and we looking forward to the challenge."
The Bears are one of eight teams participating in the 11th annual iBN Sports Las Vegas Classic, which will be held Dec. 22-23 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Baylor's two Las Vegas opponents will be announced in the coming weeks.
Upon returning from Las Vegas, Baylor will face Mississippi State on Dec. 28 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Bears will close 2011 with a home game against UT Arlington on Dec. 31.
"Every opportunity we get to play at American Airlines Center, our alumni, fans and supporters in the Metroplex truly appreciate it," Drew said. "Mississippi State is a great program and should be a top-25 team this year."
Tip-off times and television information for all Baylor non-conference games will be released later this summer. Game dates are subject to change. Fans interested in season tickets may call the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office at 254-710-1000 for more information.
Follow the Official Twitter feed of Baylor Basketball, @BaylorMBB.
| 2011-12 MEN'S BASKETBALL NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE | |||
| Nov. 11 | Texas Southern | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Nov. 13 | Jackson State | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Nov. 15 | San Diego State | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Nov. 22 | South Carolina State | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Nov. 29 | Prairie View A&M | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Dec. 4 | at Northwestern | TBA | Evanston, Ill. |
| Dec. 14 | Bethune-Cookman (Las Vegas Classic) | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Dec. 17 | at BYU | TBA | Provo, Utah |
| Dec. 19 | Kennesaw State (Las Vegas Classic) | TBA | Waco, Texas |
| Dec. 22 | TBA (Las Vegas Classic) | TBA | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| Dec. 23 | TBA (Las Vegas Classic) | TBA | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| Dec. 28 | vs. Mississippi State (Amerian Airlines Center) | TBA | Dallas, Texas |
| Dec. 31 | UT Arlington | TBA | Waco, Texas |
