Leatherneck Men’s Basketball Announces 2016-17 Schedule

The Leathernecks will play 13 games inside Western Hall

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois head men's basketball coach Billy Wright announced the program's 2016-17 schedule Wednesday (Sept. 7). The Leathernecks are slated to play 13 regular season games inside Western Hall.

"We have put together a non-conference schedule that I believe challenges our team and offers a good competitive balance. We play two games against schools within the 'Power 5' conferences, one of which will be televised live on a major network. Any time we are able to play games that are nationally televised it provides tremendous exposure for our players, our basketball program and our university."

WIU will play host to Lincoln Christian on Nov. 3 for its lone exhibition contest of the season before opening the regular season at Kansas State on Nov. 11.

After the season opener at Kansas State, WIU plays its next five of seven games inside Western Hall. During that stretch the Leathernecks play host to Oak Hill Christian College (Nov. 13), Southeast Missouri State (Nov. 16), Crown College (Nov. 23), Chicago State (Dec. 3) and Eastern Illinois (Dec. 10). The pair of road games are against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 19 and Miami (Ohio) on Nov. 26.

The Leathernecks then play four consecutive contests to conclude nonconference play and open Summit League action. WIU heads to Milwaukee on Dec. 17 and Purdue, which is scheduled to air live on the Big Ten Network, on Dec. 19 before traveling to Indiana to open league play at Fort Wayne (Dec. 29) and IUPUI (Dec. 31).

Western's home league slate has the Leathernecks playing host to South Dakota State on Jan. 4, Oral Roberts on Jan. 7, North Dakota State on Jan. 21, IUPUI on Jan. 28, Omaha on Feb. 4, Denver on Feb. 14, South Dakota on Feb. 23 and Fort Wayne on Feb. 25.

The rest of WIU's road league contests are at Denver (Jan. 11), Omaha (Jan. 14), South Dakota (Jan. 25), SDSU (Feb. 1), Oral Roberts (Feb. 8) and NDSU (Feb. 18).

"We wanted to get as many home games as possible for our fans and our students. In addition, we wanted to schedule games that would ultimately prepare us for Summit League play. With 13 regular season home games, as well as one home exhibition game, our fans and our students will have plenty of opportunities to show their support."

The top eight Summit League teams will then battle for a spot in the NCAA Tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D. during the 2017 Summit League Championships in March.

Note: All game times and dates are subject to change.

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