Bronco men's basketball schedule announced
Sept. 10, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan University men's basketball program will criss-cross the country during the 2001-02 campaign, playing as far west as Oregon and as far east as New York.
"We do our best to make the schedule attractive to the fans and it also helps in recruiting to know that Western Michigan plays against teams from the top conferences in the nation," head coach Robert McCullum said.
After a pair of exhibition games at University Arena against Greater Toronto Express (Nov. 3) and NBC Thunder (Nov. 10), the Broncos will open the regular season at the America's Youth Classic (Nov. 15-17).
The University of Oregon will host the four-team event, which also includes Long Beach State and Alabama State. WMU will face each of the other participants in the three-day round robin format. Proceeds from the classic will benefit the Eddie Robinson Foundation. The tourney has been granted exempt status by the NCAA, meaning the three games will count as only one against each team's allotted 28 regular season games.
A three-game homestand begins on Nov. 21 with the first contest in a home-and-home series against UW-Milwaukee. The Broncos will also face the Panthers on the road this season (Dec. 15). Michigan (Nov. 23) returns to Kalamazoo for the first time since its 1988-89 national championship campaign and Morgan State (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member) visits WMU Nov. 27.
The matchup against the Wolverines has been tentatively slated to begin at 7 p.m., but may be moved due to the possibility of WMU hosting the 2001 MAC Volleyball Tournament.
"We are elated to have Michigan coming to Kalamazoo for the first time in over a decade," McCullum said. "Anytime we can play a school at home with a tradition like theirs, it means a great deal to our program."
Road games against Detroit (Dec. 1), Virginia Tech (Dec. 12) and Oakland (Dec. 29) also dot the season slate. The Broncos wrap up non-league action at home against IUPUI on Jan. 15.
"Our players are extremely excited about the 2001-02 schedule," McCullum said. "They enjoy the exposure and competing against teams from major conferences. I think high school prospects also take notice of the teams we face in the non-conference, not to mention the excitement generated from our fans over the opportunity to see quality teams."
For the third time in the past four seasons, the Broncos will open the MAC slate against Marshall (Dec. 22). The Thundering Herd's last visit to University Arena resulted in the league's highest combined point total (253) in history. WMU faces each of the other five West Division programs on two occasions, including a stop in Kalamazoo by rival Central Michigan on Jan. 12. East Division foe Ohio is the Broncos' crossover opponent, meaning the interdivisional squads will play a home-and-home series.
"Our league schedule is favorable for our team," McCullum said. "With three consecutive home games to open MAC play, we have the opportunity to gain some confidence before going on the road with such a young team. Our non-conference schedule will definitely prepare us for the challenge of MAC play."
2001-02 Bronco men's basketball schedule
Sat. Nov. 3 Greater Toronto Express (Exhibition) 2 p.m. Sat. Nov. 10 NBC Thunder (Exhibition) 2 p.m. Thu. Nov. 15 vs. Long Beach State TBA Fri Nov. 16 at Oregon TBA Sat. Nov. 17 vs. Alabama State TBA Wed. Nov. 21 UW-Milwaukee 8 p.m. Fri. Nov. 23 Michigan 7 p.m. (time tentative) Tue. Nov. 27 Morgan State 7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 1 at Detroit 4:05 p.m. Wed. Dec. 12 at Virginia Tech 7 p.m. Sat. Dec. 15 at UW-Milwaukee 8 p.m. Sat. Dec. 22 Marshall 2 p.m. Sat. Dec. 29 at Oakland 7 p.m. Wed. Jan. 2 Miami 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 5 Toledo 2 p.m. Wed. Jan. 9 at Ohio 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 12 Central Michigan 2 p.m. Tue. Jan. 15 IUPUI 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 19 at Kent State 2 p.m. Wed. Jan. 23 at Ball State 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 26 Ohio 2 p.m. Wed. Jan. 30 Bowling Green 7 p.m. Mon. Feb. 4 at Central Michigan 7 p.m. Wed. Feb. 6 Eastern Michigan 7 p.m. Sat. Feb. 9 at Buffalo TBA Mon. Feb. 11 at Akron 7:30 p.m. Sat. Feb. 16 at Northern Illinois TBA Wed. Feb. 20 Ball State 7 p.m. Sat. Feb. 23 at Toledo 7 p.m. Wed. Feb. 27 at Eastern Michigan 7 p.m. Sat. March 2 Northern Illinois 2 p.m.
For more information, visit the Broncos on the Web at <www.wmubroncos.com>.
Media contact: Scott Kuykendall, 616 387-4138, scott kuykendall@wmich.edu