ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University second year head coach Jonathon Barbaree has released his 2017-18 schedule on Tuesday, which features matchups with several teams that reached the NCAA Tournament and a trip to Puerto Rico.
"We are very pleased with our schedule for next season. We have the opportunity to play against some great teams both in and out of our region," said Barbaree. "We open with an exhibition game against NCAA Division I tournament team in Elon University. This game will be a great test for us to see where we are at heading into the season as well as prepare us for the Conference Challenge."
The 2017-18 season will begin officially begin at the Conference Challenge with a rematch of the Trojans 2016-17 opener opponent, Clayton State. The Lakers defeated the Black and Gold 84-73 to avenge a loss handed out by Anderson to eliminate Clayton State from the NCAA a year earlier.
"Key highlights of our schedule will be the opening Conference Challenge against two strong Peach Belt Conference teams. Another exciting moment for us with be the opportunity to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico where we will have the chance to play two games against some national tournament type teams, added Barbaree. While we are there we are going to spend some time giving back by doing some community service with local children in the area. This will allow our kids a chance to grow as team which is always important when it comes to team chemistry."
The Trojans will squeeze in one more nonconference game to finish off the month of November before heading into the competitive South Atlantic Conference action.
"We have a tough conference with great players and great coaches. We definitely feel like we have some unfinished business to attend to this season and we look forward to getting started," noted Barbaree
The Black and Gold closed the 2016-17 season with a 21-7 overall record while sharing the second spot with Wingate in regular season SAC play. Despite an early exit from the SAC Tournament, the Trojans earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament making it their 11th berth in program history.
Anderson will play on the road for seven of its first eight contests with the lone home game during that span being against Southern Wesleyan when the Trojans welcome the Warriors to the Abney Center in mid-November.
2017-18 Opponents
Clayton State
Away: Nov. 10, 6 pm
2016-17 Record: 24-7, 15-4 PBC
2016-17 Finish: 2nd place in the West Division in the Peach Belt, 1st Round NCAA Tournament
Last Year: Anderson 73 vs Clayton St. 84
Georgia College
Away: Nov. 11, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 15-12, 9-10 PBC
2016-17 Finish: 4th place in the West Division of the Peach Belt Conference
Last Year: Did not play
Southern Wesleyan
Home: Nov. 15, 5:30 pm
2016-17 Record: 6-20, 4-18 CC
2016-17 Finish: 10th place in Conference Carolinas
Last Year: Anderson 59 at Southern Wesleyan 53
Erskine
Away: Nov. 18, 5:30 pm
2016-17 Record: 12-17, 10-12 CC
2016-17 Finish: 7th place in Conference Carolinas
Last Year: Anderson 79 vs Erskine 63
University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon
Away: Nov. 23, TBA
Last Year: Did not play
University of Tampa
Away: Nov. 24, TBA
2016-17 Record: 17-11, 11-7 SSC
2016-17 Finish: 5th place in Sunshine State Conference
Last Year: Did not play
Young Harris
Away: Nov. 28, 6 pm
2016-17 Record: 9-17, 5-14 PBC
2016-17 Finish: 6th place in West Division of the Peach Belt Conference
Last Year: Did not play
*Lenoir-Rhyne
Away: Dec. 2, 2 pm
Home: Jan. 20, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 17-12, 13-9 SAC
2016-17 Finish: 6th place in South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 61 vs Lenoir-Rhyne 53 / Anderson 77 at Lenoir-Rhyne 76
*Carson-Newman
Home: Dec. 6, 6 pm
Away: Jan. 31, 6 pm
2016-17 Record: 20-10, 16-6 SAC
2016-17 Finish: 4th place in South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 66 at Carson-Newman 83 / Anderson 84 vs Carson-Newman 76
*Queens
Home: Dec. 9, 2 pm
Away: Jan. 27, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 5-23, 5-17 SAC
2016-17 Finish: T-8th place in South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 71 at Queens 61 / Anderson 60 vs Queens 48
*Newberry
Home: Dec. 13, 6 pm
Away: Feb. 10, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 9-19, 8-14 SAC
2016-17 Finish: 10th place in South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 70 vs Newberry 55 / Anderson 67 at Newberry 63 (OT)
*Catawba
Away: Dec. 16, 2 pm
Home: Feb. 3, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 16-13, 12-10 SAC
2016-17 Finish: 7th place in South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 63 vs Catawba 77 / Anderson 74 at Catawba 69 (OT)
Anderson 64 vs Catawba 70 (SAC Tournament)
Auburn University at Montgomery
Away: Dec. 30, 3 pm
2016-17 Record: 6-20
2016-17 Finish: Provisional member of the Gulf South Conference
Last Year: Did not play
*Lincoln Memorial
Away: Jan. 3, 6 pm
Home: Feb. 7, 6 pm
2016-17 Record: 28-5, 19-3 SAC
2016-17 Finish: 1st place in South Atlantic Conference, NCAA SE Regional Championship
Last Year: Anderson 58 vs Lincoln Memorial 67 / Anderson 76 at Lincoln Memorial 73
*Wingate
Home: Jan. 6, 2 pm
Away: Feb. 17, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 26-6, 18-4 SAC
2016-17 Finish: T-2nd place in the South Atlantic Conference, SAC Tournament Champion, 1st Round NCAA
Last Year: Anderson 62 at Wingate 61 / Anderson 84 vs Wingate 79
*Mars Hill
Home: Jan. 10, 6 pm
Away: Feb. 14, 6 pm
2016-17 Record: 7-21, 5-17 SAC
2016-17 Finish: T-8th place in the South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 88 at Mars Hill 60 / Anderson 98 vs Mars Hill 38
*Coker
Away: Jan. 13, 2 pm
Home: Feb. 24, 2 pm
2016-17 Record: 6-21, 5-17 SAC
2016-17 Finish: T-8th place in the South Atlantic Conference, SAC Semi-Final
Last Year: Anderson 66 at Coker 49 / Anderson 83 vs Coker 56
*Tusculum
Away: Jan. 17, 6 pm
Home: Feb. 21, 6 pm
2016-17 Record: 6-20, 15-7 SAC
2016-17 Finish: T-8th place in the South Atlantic Conference
Last Year: Anderson 71 vs Tusculum 50 / Anderson 51 at Tusculum 65
2017-18 Women's Basketball Schedule: Click Here