Aug. 17, 2011
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Head coach Frankie Allen of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team announced its 2011-12 schedule Monday. The Hawks will open the season at George Washington (Nov. 11) before hosting American (Nov. 14).
"George Washington and American will be good early tests for us," said Allen. "Our schedule is a good balance and mix of teams that will prepare us for conference play later in the season."
UMES will continue a tough non-conference schedule when it kicks off a six-game road trip at Tulane (Nov. 18) before heading west to face Rice (Nov. 20). Staying out west, the men's team will travel to Big-12 opponent Kansas State (Nov. 22).
"We are playing solid schools that will give us a challenge, especially perennial powerhouse Kansas State, and Tulane and Rice of Conference USA," Allen stated. The team's schedule continues when it faces Louisiana Tech in the opening game of the Jim Thorpe Classic November 25. It will face host Wyoming November 26 before finishing up the Classic against Portland State (Nov. 27).
After a rigorous schedule on the road the Hawks will find some comfort at home. The W.P. Hytche Athletic Center will welcome the Naval Academy (Nov. 30) to start a three-game stand. Saturday, Dec. 3 will open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play for the Hawks when it hosts the Hornets of Delaware State. Mercy College comes to town December 10 to wrap up the Hawks first of two home stretches.
Back on the road December 17, the Hawks will face Air Force (Dec. 17), Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia (Dec. 27) and Lehigh (Jan. 3). The Hawks will remain in conference play for the remainder of the season after it travels to MEAC opponents Norfolk State (Jan. 7) and Delaware State (Jan. 14).
Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman come to Hytche January 21 and January 23 respectively. Coach Allen and the Hawks will travel to the Carolinas to face North Carolina A&T (Jan. 28) and North Carolina Central (Jan. 30). Howard University and the Hawks will meet at Hytche for the first time February 4. Days later the Spartans of Norfolk State come to town on February 6.
UMES returns to the road for a four-game road stretch on February 11. Beginning with Morgan State (Feb. 11), the Hawks will travel to Coppin State (Feb. 13), 2011 MEAC Champion Hampton (Feb. 15), and finish with Howard (Feb. 20).
UMES will host Morgan State for the Hawks Homecoming on February 25. The Hawks will then play host to Coppin State (Feb. 27) and Savannah State (Mar. 1) to wrap up the regular season.
The MEAC Tournament is slated to start March 10 in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Fans can purchase tickets at UMESHAWKS.com.
