RADFORD, Va. - Radford head coach Mike Jones announced his team's 2013-14 schedule Wednesday, and it is highlighted by an exciting home schedule of 14 games, plus trips to Santa Clara and UNLV as part of the 2013 Continental Tires Las Vegas Classic. The Highlanders' home opener is slated for Monday, Nov. 11 in a Veteran's Day matchup with Chattanooga.
"It's always an exciting time when the new schedule is released," Jones said. "And this time is no different. In our league, the purpose of the non-conference schedule is to prepare us, as best as possible, for a tough conference schedule and build toughness and confidence heading into the Big South regular season. With this year's schedule, I believe we have done so."
The Highlanders face a tough non-conference slate including the likes of UNLV and Santa Clara, and are paired on the same side of the bracket with Florida Gulf Coast. All three are fellow participants in the Las Vegas Classic, which is set for Dec. 16 thru Dec. 23 at Santa Clara, Calif. and Las Vegas.
The Highlanders open the 2013-14 season Friday, Nov. 8 in Washington, D.C. to face George Washington. The home opener vs. Chattanooga follows on Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. with another home date on Saturday, Nov. 16 prior to hitting the road to New York.
RU visits Binghamton and Cornell in late November before returning to the New River Valley to face Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum the day following Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 29.
The Highlanders are back in the Dedmon Center for a pair of games beginning Wednesday, Dec. 4 and ending by playing host to defending MEAC champion, North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Dec. 7.
After the West Coast trip, Radford ends the calendar year at home on Dec. 30 in a doubleheader with the women's team and begins the new year at home vs. The Citadel on Jan. 2. The final non-conference game of the regular season is set for Jan. 4 at Hampton.
RU plays four of its first six conference games at home as the schedule turns to the league slate following the Hampton game.
The Highlanders open Big South play at home on Jan. 8 vs. Liberty. The first road test of the conference season comes Jan. 11 at High Point. VMI visits the Dedmon Center for the final time as a member of the Big South on Jan. 15, and Longwood pays a visit on Jan. 18.
The Big South schedule is set up this year so that the Highlanders open the conference season against their five division opponents before playing any teams from the South Division. The middle portion of the league schedule consists of single cross-division games with all North Division games to finish the final three weeks of the regular season.
The final home game of the season and Senior Day takes place vs. Campbell on Feb. 26.
Radford closes out the regular season March 1 at Liberty.
The HTC Center hosts the 2014 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Men's Basketball Tournament (March 4-9) on the campus of Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. with the winner earning the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
"The only way to learn what you're made of is to challenge yourself," Jones added. "This schedule challenges us with brilliant coaches, successful programs, and talented players. We look forward to testing our mettle against such formidable opponents. The season is right around the corner!
