Orono, Maine -- A demanding non-conference slate featuring contests against Boston College, Texas Tech, and Georgetown, along with 16 games against the always-competitive America East Conference, highlights the 2017-18 University of Maine Men's Basketball schedule, announced on Tuesday morning.
The Black Bears open the season with two exhibition games against fellow Pine Tree State foes Husson (Oct. 28) and St. Joseph's of Maine (Nov. 5). The contest against St. Joseph's of Maine will be the lone game that will be played on campus at Memorial Gym.
"This is definitely the most challenging schedule we've had since I've been at the University of Maine, with road games against the ACC, BIG EAST, Big 12 and three different Atlantic 10 schools," said head coach
Bob Walsh.
"Hopefully it will create a sense of urgency in the way we prepare early and get us ready for the America East slate. We have an older, more experienced team that wants to compete against the best, and I expect we'll be up for the challenge."
Maine kicks off the regular season schedule at the 2017 Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament, which features eight teams in two separate brackets. UMaine, Sacred Heart, Saint Peter's, and South Alabama will compete in the Springfield Bracket, while Boston College, La Salle, Northwestern, and Texas Tech will play in the Naismith Bracket. The Black Bears open up the tournament at Boston College (Nov. 10) and will then travel south to Lubbock, Texas to play Big 12 opponent Texas Tech (Nov. 14).
All eight teams will then head to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., as the Black Bears will go head-to-head with South Alabama (Nov. 18). The winner will advance to the championship game the following day to face the winner of Sacred Heart and Saint Peter's.
Maine hosts Boston University in the regular season home opener at the Cross Insurance Center. The Black Bears will then commence a three-game road trip to Quinnipiac (Nov. 26), BIG EAST foe Georgetown (Nov. 28), and open December against Fordham in New York City (Dec. 2). UMaine returns home for a three-game stint to face UMPI (Dec. 5), Dartmouth (Dec. 8), and the University of Maine Machias (Dec. 10).
The Black Bears will then embark on a season-long six game road trek, wrapping up the non-conference schedule against Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia (Dec. 17), Central Connecticut State (Dec. 20), UMass (Dec. 22), and Columbia (Dec. 30).
The squad tips off in 2018 with a tough America East Conference slate, as Maine will host and travel to all eight-member schools in the conference. The Black Bears open conference play on the road against Stony Brook (Jan. 3) and Binghamton (Jan. 6), before returning home to play UMBC in the conference home opener (Jan. 10).
Following the regular season, the America East Conference Tournament begins on Saturday, March 3, with all games being played at the home court of the higher seed. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 10 on ESPN2.
All dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Season Memberships and individual tickets will go on sale soon. Stay tuned to GoBlackBears.com for all updates and announcements.
-UMaine-
| October 28 |
VS. HUSSON - EXHIBITION |
| November 5 |
VS. SAINT JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OF MAINE - EXHIBITION (THE PIT) |
| November 10 |
at Boston College - 2017 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament |
| November 14 |
at Texas Tech - 2017 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament |
| November 18 |
vs. South Alabama - 2017 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament - (Mohegan Sun Arena) |
| November 19 |
vs. Sacred Heart / Saint Peter's - 2017 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament - (Mohegan Sun Arena) |
| November 22 |
VS. BOSTON UNIVERSITY |
| November 26 |
at Quinnipiac |
| November 28 |
at Georgetown |
| December 2 |
at Fordham |
| December 5 |
VS. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE, PRESQUE ISLE |
| December 8 |
VS. DARTMOUTH |
| December 10 |
VS. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT MACHIAS |
| December 17 |
at Saint Joseph's |
| December 20 |
at Central Connecticut State |
| December 22 |
at UMass |
| December 30 |
at Columbia |
|
*AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE PLAY BEGINS* |
| January 3 |
at Stony Brook* |
| January 6 |
at Binghamton* |
| January 10 |
VS. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY* |
| January 13 |
VS. UALBANY* |
| January 15 |
at Vermont* |
| January 18 |
VS. HARTFORD* |
| January 24 |
VS. NEW HAMPSHIRE* |
| January 27 |
at University of Maryland Baltimore County* |
| January 31 |
VS. UMass Lowell* |
| February 3 |
VS. BINGHAMTON* |
| February 8 |
at New Hampshire* |
| February 11 |
VS. STONY BROOK* |
| February 15 |
at Hartford* |
| February 21 |
at UMass Lowell* |
| February 24 |
at UAlbany* |
| February 27 |
VS. VERMONT* |
