HACKENSACK, N.J. - Coming off the 11th 20-win season in program history which included two NCAA tournament victories, FDU revealed the Knights' 2023-24 men's basketball non-conference schedule Thursday with the campaign commencing on November 6 at Buffalo. The season also marks the diamond anniversary for the men's basketball team as the program commences its 75th season, the first coming in 1949-50.

"We are excited to tackle the challenges in front of us," said first-year head coach Jack Castleberry. "Our non-conference schedule will have us well prepared for Northeast Conference play." 

Castleberry's head coaching debut comes against the Bulls in the 11th meeting between FDU and Buffalo, the first since 2004. The Knights own the all-time series with an 8-2 record.

FDU will play at home on November 8 (opponent to be announced), followed by a trip to Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J. on November 11.

The six-time NEC champion Knights then host fellow March Madness Cinderella Saint Peter's in the return game of a home-and-home series on November 15, followed by a home game inside Stratis Arena against Penn State Schuylkill.

Hitting the road for the next five games to close-out November, FDU visits Queens [N.C.] (Nov. 22), followed by two games in the Urban-Bennett Memorial Classic hosted by Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa. The Knights will play Jacksonville to begin the multiple-team event (Nov. 25) and former NEC foe Robert Morris (Nov. 26) to finish-off the two-game swing. FDU continues the road trip at Fordham (Nov. 30), NJIT (Dec. 2) and Manhattan (Dec. 8).

Returning to the banks of the Hackensack, the Knights host Columbia on December 11 and Fairfield on December 21. The Burgundy and Blue then face Illinois on the road (Dec. 29) for the first time since the 2005 NCAA tournament first round. Non-conference play concludes inside Stratis Arena on January 10 against Chicago State.

FDU returns eight members of the 2022-23 Cinderella squad, including all rotation players with remaining eligibility. The Knights bring back three of their five primary starters from last season and cumulatively return more than 85 percent of their points scored from last season. Castleberry's Knights also welcome eight newcomers this season.

In the lead-in to NEC play, FDU will take part in 14 non-conference contests for a total of 15 out-of-league matchups with six of them coming on the Knights' home court. All home non-conference games will air live on NEC Front Row and the NEC On the Run app. 2023-24 ticketing information will be announced soon. Schedule subject to change.

Connect with FDU men's basketball on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsMBB.