JONESBORO, Ark. (11/4/20) – Arkansas State men’s basketball is scheduled for 13 home games at First National Bank Arena in the complete 2020-21 schedule released Wednesday.  

The Red Wolves will open the season Nov. 25-27 at the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic with three games in three days against Jackson State (Nov. 25), Central Arkansas (Nov. 26) and Ole Miss (Nov. 27) all in Oxford, Miss. A-State meets Jackson State for the first time since 2015 while the Red Wolves and UCA meet on the hardwood for the first time since 2016. The Red Wolves visited Ole Miss last season for the first time since 2010.

A-State visits Memphis on Dec. 2 for the 58th all-time meeting against the Tigers, but first since 2010. The home opener is Dec. 4 against Crowley’s Ridge College and home games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 9) and Central Baptist College (Dec. 11) follow. The Red Wolves meet UAPB for the first time since 2005. After a trip to Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 16, the Red Wolves close the non-conference schedule against Champion Christian on Dec. 20.

A-State faces an 18-game league slate; however, the conference schedule will now be broken into divisional play. The Red Wolves will only play Sun Belt West Division opponents in a Friday-Saturday format. The Sun Belt slate tips off Jan. 1 as A-State travels to ULM for games on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2. After two more road games at Texas State (Jan. 8-9), the Red Wolves host ULM on Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16.

Following a pair of games at Louisiana (Jan. 22-23), A-State plays eight of the next nine on the home floor, with all nine inside the state of Arkansas. The Red Wolves host UT Arlington (Jan. 29-30) and Louisiana (Feb. 5-6), before hosting rival Little Rock on Wednesday, Feb. 10. A-State travels to Little Rock on Saturday, Feb. 13 before returning to First National Bank Arena to host Texas State (Feb. 19-20). A visit to UT Arlington (Feb. 26-27) closes out the conference slate.

The Sun Belt Conference Tournament is March 5-8 in Pensacola, Fla. All 12 teams will advance to the tournament with the top two teams in each division earning a first-round bye.

The Red Wolves return two starters, Marquis Eaton and Caleb Fields, from the 2019-20 squad that finished with a 16-16 record. Fourth-year head coach Mike Balado and A-State returns four letterwinners and adds eight newcomers along with two players who redshirted last season.

Ticket information for the 2020-21 season will be announced at a later date and game times will be added online at AStateRedWolves.com as they become available. For the latest on A-State men’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@AStateMB), Facebook (/AStateMB) and Instagram (@astatemb).

Complete 2020-21 Men’s Basketball Schedule
Nov. 25 – vs. Jackson State^
Nov. 26 – vs. Central Arkansas^
Nov. 27 – at Ole Miss^
Dec. 2 – at Memphis
Dec. 4 – Crowley’s Ridge College
Dec. 9 – Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Dec. 11 – Central Baptist College
Dec. 16 – at Stephen F. Austin
Dec. 20 – Champion Christian
Jan. 1 – at ULM*
Jan. 2 – at ULM*
Jan. 8 – at Texas State*
Jan. 9 – at Texas State*
Jan. 15 – ULM*
Jan. 16 – ULM*
Jan. 22 – at Louisiana*
Jan. 23 – at Louisiana*
Jan. 29 – UT Arlington*
Jan. 30 – UT Arlington*
Feb. 5 – Louisiana*
Feb. 6 – Louisiana*
Feb. 10 – Little Rock*
Feb. 13 – at Little Rock*
Feb. 19 – Texas State*
Feb. 20 – Texas State*
Feb. 26 – at UT Arlington*
Feb. 27 – at UT Arlington*

^ Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic (Oxford, Miss.)
* Sun Belt Conference Game
All dates subject to change

Original article source: https://astateredwolves.com/news/2020/11/4/a-state-mens-basketball-announces-2020-21-schedule.aspx | Article may or may not reflect the views of KLEK 102.5 FM or The Voice of Arkansas Minority Advocacy Council