S.C. State Releases Strong 2016-17 Men's Basketball Schedule

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State men's basketball team has unveiled its 2016-17 schedule, a slate that includes 10 home games and 13 non-conference opponents.

"This by far is the toughest schedule that we have had in some time," said Bulldog head coach Murray Garvin." We face 12 opponents that participated in postseason play last season, including Syracuse University, which made the Final Four.

"Our non-conference schedule will give our fans a chance to see us compete against some in-state SEC & ACC powers such as South Carolina, Clemson and Southern Conference member Furman University, as well as make trips across the country against some outstanding teams. Garvin stated that last season's success has elevated our program to new heights and in turn the competition level of this schedule is second to none."

The Bulldogs will open the season on Nov.11 against Wichita State in Wichita, Kansas, before hosting St. Andrews University in the home opener Nov. 14 at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

SC State will be on the road for the next four games, starting on Nov. 18 at intrastate South Carolina in Columbia, SC. The Bulldogs then head north to take on ACC foe Syracuse Nov. 22 in Syracuse, NY, before moving to Worcester, MA to take on Holy Cross Nov. 25 and Monmouth University Nov. 26 before returning home on Nov. 30 to face Voorhees College.

The Bulldogs then embark on a six-game road trip, beginning in the sunshine state Dec. 6 at another ACC opponent, the University of Miami in Miami, Fla., before heading southwest to College Station, TX to take on perennial SEC contenders, the Aggies of Texas A&M (Dec.10). Coach Garvin's team then return to the Palmetto State for showdown's with Clemson University (Clemson, SC) on Dec. 13, followed by a matchup at Furman (Greenville, SC) Dec. 16.

Prior to a holiday break, SC State heads west again for a Dec. 22 contest against St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA. Garvin's squad closes out 2016 with a New Year's eve Dec. 31 contest against Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. in the team's final non-conference appearance.

The Bulldogs open conference play with a three-game road swing at Coppin State in Baltimore, MD on Jan. 4, before heading to Virginia to meet Hampton Jan. 7 and Norfolk State Jan. 9.

A Jan. 14 match-up with Savannah State will kick off a four-game MEAC home stand for SC State, followed by a Jan. 16 encounter against Bethune-Cookman, a Jan 21 clash with Delaware State and Jan. 23 contest against Morgan State.

SC State returns to the road Jan. 28 against Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD, and Jan. 30 at Howard in Washington, DC, before coming home to Orangeburg to host Norfolk State on Feb. 4 and Hampton on Feb. 6.

February 11 and 13 will see the Bulldogs on the road against North Carolina Central in Durham, NC and rival North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, NC, respectively. SC State closes out its regular-season home schedule Feb. 18 against Coppin State and Feb. 25 against Florida A&M, the home finale, before the regular-season wrap-up on the road Mar. 2 at Savannah State.

"We look at this schedule, not as a great challenge for our
basketball team but more as a great opportunity to showcase our program and South Carolina State University on a National level." Garvin noted. "Of course, MEAC play will be as fierce as it always has been and we look forward to seeing Bulldog fans at the games from around the country."

The 2017 MEAC Basketball Championships will be held March 6-11 at the Norfolk Scope Are
na.

For more information on SC State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS