Mercer men’s basketball team’s schedule released

Mercer’s second basketball season in the Southern Conference begins Jan. 2 against Samford, while the Bears’ non-conference schedule includes several marquee games.

The non-conference schedule includes games at Davidson in November and then Auburn, Arkansas, Ohio State and Kennesaw State in December. Mercer’s season begins with a three-game home stretch against Allen, George Mason and Alabama State in November.

“Our non-conference schedule, just like it always has been, will be very tough,” Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman said in a release. “It will challenge us in every way possible and get us prepared for a tough conference season. We are thrilled about the teams we will have the opportunity to compete against.”

The season opener against Allen is Nov. 13. The Bears wrap up November with a trip to Nashville for a Thanksgiving tournament that also has Appalachian State, Liberty, Stephen F. Austin, Tulane and Western Michigan.

The Bears’ December schedule includes three straight games against Power 5 conference teams: Auburn (Dec. 15), Arkansas (Dec. 19) and Ohio State (Dec. 22) before a rivalry game with Kennesaw State (Dec. 30).

After hosting Samford to open January, the Bears head to Chattanooga on Jan. 5 for their first Southern Conference road game. The conference tournament is set for March 4-7 in Asheville, North Carolina.

Complete schedule

Nov. 13 Allen

Nov. 16 George Mason

Nov. 19 Alabama State

Nov. 23 at Davidson

Nov. 26 vs. TBA in Nashville, Tennessee

Nov. 27 vs. TBA in Nashville, Tennessee

Nov. 29 vs. TBA in Nashville, Tennessee

Dec. 2 Hiwassee

Dec. 5 Alcorn State

Dec. 15 at Auburn

Dec. 19 at Arkansas

Dec. 22 at Ohio State

Dec. 30 at Kennesaw State

Jan. 2 Samford*

Jan. 5 at Chattanooga*

Jan. 9 at The Citadel*

Jan. 14 Furman*

Jan. 16 Wofford*

Jan. 21 at East Tennessee State*

Jan. 23 at Western Carolina*

Jan. 28 VMI*

Jan. 30 UNC Greensboro*

Feb. 1 at Samford*

Feb. 6 The Citadel*

Feb. 8 Chattanooga*

Feb. 11 at Wofford*

Feb. 13 at Furman*

Feb. 18 Western Carolina*

Feb. 20 East Tennessee State*

Feb. 25 at VMI*

Feb. 28 at UNC Greensboro*

*Southern Conference game

This story was originally published August 13, 2015 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Mercer men’s basketball team’s schedule released ."