DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Under the direction of Athletic Director and Head Coach Reggie Theus, Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball uncovered the 2024-25 schedule, as the Wildcats take to the road for 21 games during the upcoming slate.
Stemming from a season where Bethune-Cookman advanced to its first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament game, the Wildcats registered an even 17-17 record overall in 2023-24, as well as finishing 11-7 in league play.
This season, B-CU will face off against five NCAA Tournament participants from a season ago, including SWAC Champion Grambling State on two occasions.
The season begins November 5 when the Wildcats travel to Texas Tech, a team that advanced to the Round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament. Following that contest, the Cats travel to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament participant in the form of Nebraska (November 9). The opening toad swing closes with a trip to Purdue Fort Wayne (November 12).
The only home game of the conference portion of the schedule is a visit from South Carolina State (November 16) to Richard V. Moore Gymnasium and the home opener.
B-CU's first-ever appearance in the Cancun Challenge sponsored by the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya begins with Tulane (November 19) in New Orleans, Louisiana, before the Maroon and Gold venture to Cancun where they'll be joined by teams from North Dakota, Gardner-Webb and Southeast Louisiana. The tournament takes place November 26-27.
Twelve consecutive road contests continues into the month of December with six games away from home, beginning with Minnesota (December 1), followed by a visit to John Paul Jones Arena to take on the Virginia Cavaliers (December 12) – the third NCAA Tournament participant on the slate. A marquee matchup in December features B-CU against South Florida (December 18) when the Wildcats travel across the state to Tampa.
After the holiday break, the Cats head back to Mississippi State (December 30) for the second time in as many years, after the Bulldogs earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last season.
"Our nonconference schedule may be one of, if not THE, most challenging schedules in the country," commented Reggie Theus, set to embark upon his fourth season at the helm in Daytona Beach. "We wanted to challenge ourselves as a team and staff, giving us every opportunity to play against some of the best competition out there as we get set for a grueling SWAC schedule."
SWAC play for Bethune-Cookman opens January 4, 2025, as the Cats visit in-state foe Florida A&M. A trip to defending conference champion Grambling State (January 11) highlights the month of January, as well as home visits from Arkansas-Pine Bluff (January 20), Alabama State (February 1), Alcorn State (February 15) and Gambling (March 3) for the return trip to Daytona Beach.
Road games in the SWAC include stops to Jackson State (January 25), Alcorn State (January 27), Texas Southern (February 10) and Alabama A&M (February 22), respectfully.
Another key change for the upcoming season will be the SWAC Tournament moving to Atlanta, Georgia. With Birmingham, Alabama, having held the tournament for a number of years, the conference's end-of-year affair moves to the Gateway Center Arena. The event is scheduled for March 12-15
"The SWAC is tough – it's just tough," continued Theus. "We saw what we can achieve from last season, and we want to improve upon that going into year four. Every year, we want to take a step forward, and you only get better by playing against some of the bets opponents. I am looking forward to this season and the challenges ahead."
For a complete look at this year's schedule, please click here.
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