Explorers to open season on November 11 vs. Lafayette
PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men’s basketball team will play eight teams in non-conference play that recorded 18 or more wins last season as head coach Dr. John Giannini announced the 2011-12 schedule today. Six of those teams played in the postseason last year, including four teams that reached the NCAA Tournament. The Atlantic 10 portion of the schedule will be announced at a later date.
“Our non-conference schedule has a lot of challenges and strong opponents,” Giannini said. “Many of our opponents had outstanding seasons last year and will be picked to finish very high in their conferences. We feel this schedule gives us an opportunity for success, a good strength of schedule and excellent preparation for A-10 play.”
In addition to visiting NCAA participants Villanova (21-12) on Nov. 15 and Pitt (28-6) on Nov. 22, La Salle hosts defending conference champions and NCAA qualifiers Bucknell (25-9) on Dec. 3 and Boston University (21-14) on Dec. 29.
Two other postseason teams mark the non-conference slate in James Madison (Nov. 19, CBI) and Rider (Nov. 26, CIT). JMU was 21-12 last year, while Rider posted a 23-11 mark. The other two teams that recorded 18 or more wins on the schedule are Central Connecticut State (19-12) and Robert Morris (18-14).
The season tips off on Friday, November 11 when La Salle hosts Patriot League finalist Lafayette at Tom Gola Arena. After a short trip to Big 5 rival Villanova, the Explorers return home to host James Madison, which is the University’s Homecoming celebration and part of the Philly Hoop Group Classic.
The Hoop Group Classic continues on Nov. 22 when LU travels to Pitt and continues at The Palestra with games versus NEC finalist Robert Morris (Nov. 25) and Rider (Nov. 26).
In December, La Salle will host four games beginning with Patriot League champion Bucknell on December 3. After a trip to Towson (Dec. 7), La Salle welcomes Army to Gola Arena on Dec. 10.
Following a week off due to final exams, the Explorers will visit Delaware (Dec. 19) and Central Connecticut State (Dec. 22), before finishing the year by hosting Boston University (Dec. 29) and Hartford (Dec. 31).
The lone non-conference game in 2012 will be at Big 5 rival Penn on January 10 at the Palestra.
The Atlantic 10 Championship will begin on Tuesday, March 6 on campus sites before returning to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on March 9-11.
Leave a Reply