Daytona Beach, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman men's basketball is set for its sophomore season in the Southwestern Athletic Conference as head coach
Reggie Theus announced Monday a jam-packed slate of games sure to set the stage for an exciting year two under the leadership of the former NBA star.
Thirteen home games highlight a B-CU schedule featuring three games against premier, Big Ten blue bloods, a home-and-home with nearby UNF, a spot in the Central Arkansas Classic, and, of course, 18 dates with the teeth of the SWAC.
"You have to have a competitive schedule," Theus said. "We are building a championship culture here at Bethune-Cookman. With the money we're going to raise and the high level of competition, we've built a solid schedule to go along with a very good recruiting class. We're continuing to build that culture and it's going to be an exciting year."
As with every non-conference schedule, this year's slate is set to challenge and prepare the Wildcats for a competitive SWAC calendar.
"Non-conference is always a great way to test your players and give them a sense of what it's like to play against the rest of the country," Theus said. "When you're at a mid-major, you want to play against the best. We learned a lot with last year's schedule, and we've had the chance to study and figure out the best way for us to travel and give us the best opportunity to win more non-conference games."
"We have a complete team this year." Theus continued. "We have an older team with a lot of experience. Youth is not an excuse this season. We have basically returned our same starting five along with some transfers and really good young players. It's going to be a competitive season for us."
The 2022-23 schedule sees the Wildcats thrust right into the fray, opening November with a midwest road trip to Iowa and Indiana, two top-five teams in the Big Ten a season ago.
"Our first trip is going to give our guys a real understanding of who they are as players and where we are as a team," Theus said." In Iowa and Indiana, we're going up against big, physical, athletic teams from one of the most physical conferences in the country. It's going to be a great test for our team."
On Nov. 14, the Wildcats return to Daytona Beach for their home opener as they host Florida National, followed by a matchup with Trinity Baptist.
From there, B-CU will head back on the road for the remainder of the month, beginning with a trip to Charleston Southern. The Wildcats will wrap up November with a spot in the Central Arkansas Classic as they take on Idaho State and Northwestern State.
B-CU returns to Moore Gymnasium for one game on Dec. 1 as they host the Cougars of Chicago State before taking a short trip up I-95 to take on the Ospreys of UNF on Dec. 10. They will head to Texas to take on Incarnate Word and UTSA on Dec. 16 and 18, respectively.
The Wildcats wrap up their non-conference schedule with a home contest with UNF, followed by another Big Ten matchup with Illinois.
The Wildcats open the new year on Jan. 2 looking to improve on a 7-11 SWAC finish a season ago that saw them fall only one game short of a postseason berth.
"People did not know what to expect of us as a team last season," Theus said. "That was both an advantage and a disadvantage. I don't think we're going to sneak up on anybody this year – they say the potential of our team last year, and now they know that we have an improved roster."
The Wildcats will have the chance at retribution early as they take on the same FAMU team that shut the door on the Wildcats' postseason hopes last March.
The next weekend, the Wildcats take to Louisiana to take on Grambling State and Southern, both of whom B-CU took down on the road a season ago.
The first SWAC home date for the Wildcats is set for Jan. 14 and 16 as they host Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, both making their first appearance at Moore Gymnasium.
From there, the Wildcats will alternate weekends on the road and at home, heading next to Mississippi to face Jackson State and Alcorn State, followed by home dates with Alabama State and Alabama A&M.
B-CU opens February with another trip to Texas to face Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern. The next weekend, they will host Alcorn State and Jackson State.
The final road trip of the season begins on Feb. 18 as B-CU heads to Alabama to take on Alabama A&M and Alabama State.
B-CU wraps up the 2022 regular season at home as they face Southern, Grambling, and the rival Rattlers of FAMU at home on March 4.
"The SWAC is a tough, competitive conference," Theus said. "I will be very disappointed if we are not fighting for the top spot all season. We're excited to get back on the court and play some great basketball, and we're excited to get to do it again in front of the best fans in the country at Moore Gymnasium."
The full 2022-23 schedule is available now on BCUAthletics.com. Game times will be updated in the coming weeks.
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--#HailWildcats—