EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – After back-to-back winning seasons and a record-setting home campaign in 2023-24, SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Brian Barone has announced a challenging nonconference schedule for the Cougars in 2024-25.
"Our basketball schedule presents some tough challenges, but that's what makes it exciting," Barone said. "We had to balance a lot of variables while putting together our schedule for this season."
The Cougars will open with an exhibition contest with Missouri Baptist (Oct. 27) before the regular season gets underway with Westminster (Nov. 4). Six straight contests away from home follow, including consecutive road games at Big Ten opponents Indiana (Nov. 6) and Illinois (Nov. 8). SIUE visits NIT runner-up Indiana State (Nov. 12) before traveling to Kalamazoo, Michigan, for a pair of games.
The Cougars will face Western Michigan (Nov. 15) and Canisius (Nov. 16) at Western Michigan. From there, SIUE will travel to Green Bay to face the Phoenix (Nov. 19).
"The schedule provides the opportunity for our fans to see us compete against premier opponents from top universities such as Indiana and Illinois," Barone continued. "When you put a schedule together, you are looking to challenge yourself while also giving your team a great experience. We are excited about starting the series against Indiana State and continue our series with Green Bay and Ball State.
The nonconference portion of the schedule wraps up with four consecutive games at First Community Arena. Last season, SIUE won 12 games at home, the most since the transition to Division I play.
November includes a visit from St. Ambrose (Nov. 23) and a first-ever meeting with North Florida (Nov. 29). Ball State returns to Edwardsville (Dec. 8) before the final nonconference game with Eureka College (Dec. 15).
As we continue to build on our program's winning ways over the last few years, I'm excited to do it with our Metro East community and the fans and students from our campus," Barone added. "Each year we continue to have success here the schedule process becomes more difficult and unique. We are excited to go out and perform and make our university and community proud."
The previously announced 20-game Ohio Valley Conference schedule begins on the road with a trip to Little Rock and Southeast Missouri.
Season tickets and mini plans for SIUE Basketball will go on-sale Thursday Sep. 11. All ticket information will be available online at SIUECougars.com/tickets. For ticket inquiries, please contact Associate AD/Sales and Partnerships Jake Sutter by email at jakesutt@siue.edu or phone at 618- 650- 2872.
Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEMBB on X, @SIUEMBB on Instagram, and SIUE Women's Basketball on Facebook.
