Courtesy of LehighSports.com
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head men’s basketball coach Brett Reed announced the Mountain Hawks’ 2016-17 schedule on Monday, which features a challenging slate of four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago and two teams who advanced to the NIT. The Mountain Hawks begin by facing three straight teams who reached a national postseason tournament last season.
Among Lehigh’s most notable nonleague games are its Nov. 11 season opener at Xavier, along with games at Mississippi State and La Salle. The Mountain Hawks host Princeton in their home opener Nov. 20.
“Lehigh men’s basketball continues to take an aggressive stance with its nonleague schedule,” said Reed. “We have challenged ourselves against many strong opponents nationally, exposing our players to high-level competition. We’ll play against good competition, which will give us the best opportunity to test ourselves in preparation for Patriot League play.”
In total, four of Lehigh’s 11 nonleague opponents eclipsed 20 wins last season, with three advancing to the NCAA Tournament and one reaching the NIT. The season opener at Xavier will mark the first meeting between the Mountain Hawks and Musketeers since the third round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Last season, Xavier was a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Round of 32.
“Xavier has been noted as a top 10 preseason team in the country,” said Reed. “That will provide a tremendous test for us immediately out of the chute and we’ll have to be at our best.”
After the opener, Lehigh heads to Yale on Thursday, Nov. 17 to face defending Ivy League champion Yale, who defeated Baylor in the NCAA Tournament last season.
Lehigh’s home opener comes against a well-regarded Princeton squad on Sunday, Nov. 20 who finished 22-7 last season and advanced to the NIT. The Mountain Hawks then head south on Thanksgiving weekend for a matchup at Mississippi State on Friday, Nov. 25 before playing at Arkansas State two days later. Out of the SEC, Mississippi State finished 14-17 last season, but the Bulldogs feature a strong recruiting class and have been predicted by USA Today as potential a top 25 team.
The Mountain Hawks return to the Northeast on Wednesday, Nov. 30 to face local foe La Salle. The Explorers struggled last season, but have multiple transfers who are set to make their La Salle debuts in 2016-17.
December begins with a home game against Robert Morris on Saturday, Dec. 3 before Lehigh heads to defending America East Champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Stony Brook on Thursday, Dec. 6. The Mountain Hawks round out the nonleague schedule at Mount St. Mary’s (Saturday, Dec. 10) home vs. Saint Francis (Pa.) (Monday, Dec. 12) and home vs. Cabrini (Thursday, Dec. 22).
Patriot League play begins on Friday, Dec. 30 at Army West Point, followed by a showdown at Boston University on Monday, Jan. 2. Lehigh’s first home Patriot League contest is vs. Loyola on Thursday, Jan. 5 before hosting America three days later.
The first round of Patriot League play features alternating home and road games as Lehigh heads to Bucknell (Wednesday, Jan. 11), hosts Holy Cross (Saturday, Jan. 14), travels to Navy (Wednesday, Jan. 18), hosts Lafayette (Saturday, Jan. 21) and plays at Colgate (Wednesday, Jan. 25).
The second round of league play begins on Saturday, Jan. 28 as Lehigh welcomes Boston University to Stabler Arena.
All games and times are subject to change. Check back to Lehighsports.com for any updates and all updates heading into the 2016-17 season.
Hopes are high for the Mountain Hawks entering the season after finishing 2015-16 with a 13-5 league mark, making it all the way to the Patriot League Championship Game. The 13 league victories marked a school record. The Mountain Hawks return four of their five starters this season, all who earned postseason Patriot League recognition, led by senior and two-time defending Patriot League Player of the Year Tim Kempton.
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