RADFORD, Va. - The Radford University Men’s Basketball program should get a good test even before Big South Conference play begins this season. RU Head Coach Byron Samuels released their 2002-2003 non-conference schedule today.
“This will be another challenging schedule that will test us early, especially the young players in their development process,” said Samuels. “Hopefully we'll develop the toughness that we need, especially going into the competitive Big South Conference schedule.”
RU will play five games against a total of four teams that reached postseason tournaments. Teams from the Big 10, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, Colonial Athletic, and MAC highlight a schedule aimed at playing in areas of high alumni bases in the region.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to play in front of the Northern Virginia, Richmond and Williamsburg alumni fan base, which will play an significant part in the enhancement of the program,” added Samuels. “We are fortunate to face tough opponents on the road and to have high quality teams coming to the Dedmon Center.”
The regular season begins on Friday, November 22 at the University of Richmond. The Highlanders will then make their first trip to Williamsburg, Va. to face the College of William & Mary on November 24 since the 1977 season.
Two days later RU will open the home docket at the Dedmon Center against Howard University on November 26. At The Dedmon Center RU has compiled a 50-8 record overall record in the last five seasons. Following the Howard contest, East Carolina invades the Dedmon Center, setting up a brothers Holcomb-Faye match-up between RU freshman Whit, facing Pirate senior Travis.
It doesn't get any easier. During one six-game stretch in December, Radford travels to American (Dec. 6), Marshall (Dec. 14) Akron (Dec. 21), and Ohio State (Dec. 23), then plays in the Florida International Tournament, with host FIU, St. Francis (NY) and Duquesne on Dec. 27-28 in Miami, Fla.
The Highlanders are tentatively scheduled to open Big South play on Jan. 2 at home against four-time BSC champs Winthrop University. The regular season concludes March 1 at home against rival Liberty University, and the Big South Tournament is March 4-8.
Here are the dates, opponents and sites and tentative times. The Big South portion of the schedule, is expected to be released by the conference in late August.
Date, Opponent, Location, Time
Friday, Nov. 22, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, 7:30 pm
Sunday, Nov. 24, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 2:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 26, Howard University, Radford, VA, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 3, East Carolina University, Radford, VA, 7:00 pm
Friday, Dec. 6, American University, Washington, DC, 7:00 pm
Saturday, Dec. 14, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, 7:30 pm
Saturday, Dec. 21, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 3:00 pm
Monday, Dec. 23, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 8:00 pm
Fri./Sat., Dec. 27-28, FIU Tournament, Miami, FL, TBA
(Radford, Florida International, St. Francis {NY}, Duquesne)
