Chuck Driesell’s first season as head coach, and the 100th in the history of The Citadel Basketball program, will feature seven games against teams that reached the postseason tournament play according to the 2010-11 Basketball schedule released by the Athletics Department on Wednesday. The Bulldogs will make a West Coast swing that includes games against Colorado and New Mexico and a two-day Las Vegas Tournament where they will play Longwood and SIU-Edwardsville.
The Citadel will host 14 games at McAlister Field House, including nine against Southern Conference competition, beginning with a pair of November games against James Madison (Nov. 20) and High Point (Nov. 23).
“I am excited about this year’s 2010-11 basketball schedule,” said Driesell. “Though extremely tough, I believe this team will benefit from the experience while helping them be prepared when conference play begins. I have always thought it was beneficial to play a tough non-conference schedule, and we certainly have that with this season’s opponents.”
The season will tip-off on Nov. 12 when The Citadel travels to Richmond, opening with a Spiders team that reached the 2010 NCAA Tournament before bowing out to Saint Mary’s. The Dogs then square off against Charleston Southern, looking to avenge a onepoint home loss that came at the hands of the Bucs last season.
The Bulldogs complete the first month of action with a road game at Coastal Carolina on Nov. 27. The Chanticleers, one of seven in-state teams on the slate, ended their season with a first round loss to UAB in the NIT last season.
The Citadel returns to McAlister Field House to open their SoCon schedule against Georgia Southern on Dec. 2 and Davidson on Dec. 4. The home stretch wraps up with a visit from St. Mary’s (Md.) College that marks the first meeting of the two schools since 1995, when The Citadel won, 102-53.
After an 11-day break for exams, The Citadel heads West to play Colorado out of the Big XII Conference on Dec. 17. The road trip continues two days later at The Pit against New Mexico. The Lobos advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, following a 62-57 win over Montana, before being defeated by the University of Washington. The trip culminates at the Las Vegas Classic on Dec. 22-23 when they play Longwood University and SIU-Edwardsville.
Following a break for Christmas, the Bulldogs return to McAlister Field House on Dec. 31 to face Chowan at 3 p.m. The New Year opens with a Jan. 2 matchup at Clemson, who finished sixth in the ACC last season and played Missouri in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I know our guys are looking forward to the long road trip after our final exams,” added Driesell. “It should be an exciting trip, but it won’t be easy. Playing on the road is always tough, as it will be at Colorado, New Mexico and Clemson. However, with eight seniors I believe they have the experience to do what it takes to win on the road, and again it should prepare us for some tough conference road games.”
The Citadel gets back into conference action on Jan. 6 at Wofford. The Bulldogs complete a three-game trip through the Upstate on Jan. 8 at Furman. The Dogs welcome Chattanooga to McAlister Field House on Jan. 13. Two days later they head cross-town to meet the College of Charleston at Carolina First Arena. One month later on Feb. 17, the inner-city rivals meet again at McAlister Field House.
Among the final six SoCon road games to complete the 2010-11 season will be Samford (Jan. 17), Davidson (Jan. 26), UNC Greensboro (Feb. 7) and Georgia Southern (Feb. 19). The regular season concludes with road contests on Feb. 24 at Western Carolina and Feb. 26 at Appalachian State.
“The league schedule is as tough as it has ever been,” stated Driesell. “If you look at who everyone returns, you will see that almost every team in the league has key players returning. There are no easy games, and it should be a tough test in each and every conference game.”
All home games will tip-off at 7:05 p.m. with the exception of games against Davidson and Chowan which will start at 3:00 p.m. Dates and times are subject to change.
2010-11 Citadel Basketball Schedule
November:
- 12, at Richmond, 7:00 pm;
- 16 at Charleston Southern, 7:30 pm;
- 20 vs. James Madison, 7:05 pm;
- 23 vs. High Point 7:05 pm;
- 27 at Coastal Carolina TBA.
December:
- 2, vs. Georgia Southern, 7:05 pm;
- 4, vs. Davidson, 3:00 pm;
- 6, vs. St.Mary’s (Md.) College, 7:05 pm;
- 17, at Colorado, 9 pm;
- 19, at New Mexico, TBA;
- 22, at Las Vegas Tournament (vs. Longwood), TBA;
- 23, at Las Vegas Tournament (vs. SIUEdwardsville),TBA;
- 31, vs. Chowan, 3:00 pm.
January:
- 2, at Clemson, 7:00 p.m.;
- 6, at Wofford*, TBA;
- 8, at Furman, TBA;
- 13, vs. Chattanooga*, 7:05 pm;
- 15, at College of Charleston*, TBA;
- 17, at Samford*, TBA;
- 20, vs. Appalachian State*, 7:05 pm;
- 22, vs. Western Carolina*, 7:05 pm;
- 26, at Davidson*, 7 pm.
February:
- 3, vs. Furman*, 7:05 pm;
- 5, vs. Wofford*, 7:05 pm;
- 7, at UNC Greensboro*,TBA;
- 12, vs. Elon, 7:05 pm;
- 14, vs. Savannah State, 7:05 pm;
- 17, vs. College of Charleston, 7:05 pm;
- 19, at Georgia Southern, TBA;
- 24, at Western Carolina, TBA;
- 26, at Appalachian State, 2 pm.
March:
- 4-7, Southern Conference Tournament (Chattanooga, Tenn.).
