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The Travis Ford era at Saint Louis University will officially kick off on Friday, Nov. 11, against Ball State, according to the Billikens’ 2016-17 men’s basketball schedule released today.
Saint Louis will play 13 nonconference games (nine at home) and an 18-game Atlantic 10 Conference slate. SLU will play up to 14 games against opponents that reached the postseason last year.
Coinciding with the release of the schedule was the announcement of the nationally televised games that are part of the A-10 package. SLU currently has nine regular-season games slated for television, including three on NBC Sports Network, three on American Sports Network, two on CBS Sports Network and one on ESPNU. The locally televised games on Fox Sports Midwest will be released at a later date.
To view the full schedule, click here.
For a printable schedule, click here.
Following an exhibition game against Greenville College at Chaifetz Arena Friday, Nov. 4, the Billikens open the 2016-17 season Friday, Nov. 11, against Ball State at Chaifetz Arena in a game that is part of the MGM Grand Main Event tournament. Last season, the Cardinals were one of the most improved teams in the country and played in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament. Southern Utah is the opponent Monday, Nov. 14, a game that is also part of the Las Vegas tournament.
The Billikens host Eastern Illinois, coached by Jay Spoonhour, on Thursday, Nov. 17. The Billikens then depart for Las Vegas, where they face BYU (NIT last season) on Monday, Nov. 21, and either Alabama or Valparaiso (NIT) onWednesday, Nov. 23.
Samford is the opponent at Chaifetz Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 29, followed by a matchup with Kansas State at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, Dec. 3. The Billikens will play Wichita State on Tuesday, Dec. 6, in Wichita, Kan. It is the fourth year in a row the Billikens and Shockers have met on the hardwood.
Saint Louis hosts Chicago State on Sunday, Dec. 11, and travels to Carbondale, Ill., to face Southern Illinois on Wednesday, Dec. 14. SIUE comes to Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, Dec. 17, followed by Winthrop on Thursday, Dec. 22.
The A-10 schedule begins prior to the New Year as the Billikens host Rhode Island on Friday, Dec. 30, in a game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU. SLU’s first A-10 road game is Wednesday, Jan. 4, at La Salle, and the Billikens return home to face Davidson (NIT) on Sunday, Jan. 8.
SLU is on the road for its next two games – at Duquesne on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and at George Mason on Saturday, Jan. 14. The Billikens welcome St. Bonaventure, which advanced to the NIT last season, on Tuesday, Jan. 17. SLU is back on the road for a Sunday, Jan. 22, matchup at Dayton (NCAA Tournament last season).
Massachusetts comes to town Wednesday, Jan. 25, and the Billikens travel to George Washington on Saturday, Jan. 28, to complete the first half of the A-10 schedule.
The Billikens play consecutive home games against George Mason (Wednesday, Feb. 1) and nonconference opponent North Carolina A&T (Saturday, Feb. 4). Saint Louis then travels to St. Bonaventure for a midweek matchup onWednesday, Feb. 8, to begin a stretch of six consecutive games against opponents who reached the postseason last season.
SLU hosts Duquesne (CBI) on Saturday, Feb. 11, and welcomes Dayton to Chaifetz on Tuesday, Feb. 14. SLU travels to face Fordham (CIT) on Saturday, Feb. 18, and plays at VCU (NCAA) on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Saint Joseph’s (NCAA) comes to town Saturday, Feb. 25, and the Billikens close out the home portion of their regular-season schedule on Wednesday, March 1, against La Salle. SLU’s final game of the regular season is Saturday, March 4, at Richmond.
The 2017 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship will take place March 8-11 in Pittsburgh at the CONSOL Energy Center. All 13 games of the tournament will be nationally televised.
