HACKENSACK, N.J. – The defending Northeast Conference champion Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball team unveiled its 2019-20 schedule on Monday evening. This season's campaign is headlined by non-conference road contests at Kentucky, Notre Dame and DePaul and includes the traditional 18-game NEC slate.
"Once again we have put together an extremely attractive and competitive schedule," commented head coach
Greg Herenda, who is set to begin his seventh season at the helm of the Knights. "Since day one, we have always played against the very best teams nationally, regionally and locally. I give all the credit to our players because they want to be challenged so that we will be ready to compete for championships in February and in March."
The 2019-20 schedule consists of 29 contests in total, including 12 home games inside of the Rothman Center. Three of the 12 home meetings occur prior to NEC action including the Knights' season opener on Tuesday, November 5 against FDU-Florham.
"We love playing in areas where our student-athletes are from," Herenda continued. "It is awesome for their families, friends and high schools to come see our players compete in some of the best venues in college basketball. We are a very privileged group to compete on a national stage against Kentucky, Notre Dame and DePaul."
Following the 2019-20 lid-lifter against the Florham Campus, the Knights head on the road for five straight games beginning on November 8 against DePaul. After the Chicago trip, the Knights visit Fordham (Nov. 13), Army (Nov. 18), and Lafayette (Nov. 24) before concluding the swing with Notre Dame (Nov. 26). The Knights' trip to South Bend will mark the second-ever meeting with the Fighting Irish as the two teams previously squared off in 2014.
On Tuesday, December 3, the Knights will host Quinnipiac at the Rothman Center before back-to-back road tilts at Kentucky (Dec. 7) and Saint Peter's (Dec. 11). Saturday, December 14 is the final home contest of the non-conference slate as the Burgundy and Blue welcome Princeton to Stratis Arena. Last season, the Knights earned a 77-66 victory over the Tigers in Princeton. The non-conference schedule wraps up with a road test at La Salle on Sunday, December 22.
Herenda concluded, "To have Princeton and Quinnipiac come to the Rothman is special and playing two A-10 programs in Fordham and La Salle where our fans can travel is very exciting as well. All of these games will hopefully get us prepared for another challenging season in the NEC."
Three of the Knights' first four conference games are on the road including the opener on Thursday, January 2 at St. Francis Brooklyn. The Knights welcome Sacred Heart on Thursday, January 9 for their first home NEC tilt of the season.
Other notable conference dates include Wednesday, January 15 when Saint Francis U comes to the Rothman in a rematch of last year's NEC Championship Game. Due to the NEC's unbalanced schedule, the Knights will not travel to Loretto, Pennsylvania for a regular season matchup with the Red Flash this season.
In addition to the title game rematch, the Burgundy and Blue will face off with NEC newcomer Merrimack twice this season. First up is a road game in North Andover, Massachusetts on January 23 before the Knights host the Warriors on February 6.
Herenda, a Merrimack alumnus, is excited to see his alma mater join the NEC. "I will obviously have mixed emotions coaching in the gym where I previously played, practiced and coached. When the ball goes up in the air, it will be another conference road game but before and after, the Bert Hammel floor will always be held very close to my heart."
The Knights close out the regular season with three of their final four games at home. They will host LIU (Feb. 21), Robert Morris (Feb. 23) and Bryant (Feb. 27) before concluding the slate at Mount St. Mary's (Feb. 29).
The 2019-20 NEC Tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, March 4.
Other notable dates:
Saturday, October 19 – Burgundy & Blue Scrimmage
Thursday, October 31 – Georgian Court (Exhibition)
