The Fairleigh Dickinson University Men's Basketball program's opponents for the 2012-13 season were announced by head coach Greg Vetrone on Friday.

The Knights will begin the season in Cincinnati, OH when they take on Xavier on Friday, Nov. 9.  The team will host Stony Brook on Thursday, Nov. 15 in their first contest at Stratis Arena.

FDU will play four games in the South Padre Island Invitational during the week of Thanksgiving.  The tournament field includes seven other teams with Delaware State, Illinois State, Navy, Northwestern, Prairie View A&M, TCU and UAB all competing.

After the Texas-based tournament, the Knights will return to the Garden State to face Saint Peter's.

In December, the Knights will travel to Lehigh before hosting Columbia, Lafayette and Hartford.  They will conclude the year with road games at Vermont, VCU and Longwood.

“This is the most difficult nonconference schedule we've had since I've been with FDU,” said Vetrone.  “With road games against Xavier, Lehigh, Vermont and VCU, it will be challenging, but we're going to look at it as an opportunity.  These games will without question bring out the best in our team.”

Northeast Conference action will begin on Thursday, Jan. 3 when the Knights travel to Emmitsburg, MD to take on Mount St. Mary's.  On Monday, Jan. 14 FDU will conclude its non-conference schedule with a home tilt against NJIT.

The 18-game NEC slate will feature two games against The Mount, Wagner, Saint Francis PA, Robert Morris, LIU Brooklyn, St. Francis NY and in-state rival Monmouth with one game each against Quinnipiac, Bryant, Central Connecticut State and Sacred Heart.

A complete schedule including dates and times for all contests will be available in the coming weeks.