Missouri Western head men’s basketball coach Tom Smith has announced his team’s 2011-2012 schedule. The Griffons will play 27 games including an exhibition game to open the season, with 14 total games in the MWSU Fieldhouse. Coach Smith will have an opportunity to earn his 600th win in front of the home crowd when the Griffons officially open the season November, 12 against Fontbonne University. Nearly all Saturday MIAA games will move to the afternoon this season with men’s games tipping off at 3:30 p.m.
After the traditional exhibition game at the fieldhouse against Livin the Dream, Fontbonne University makes the trek across the state from St. Louis. The Griffons will stay home early with Manhattan Christian College coming to town, and games against William Jewell and Rockhurst in the 20th Annual Hillyard Tip-Off Classic. Western will then travel to San Antonio, Texas for the River City Shootout to face Angelo State and Southeastern Oklahoma State. The Griffons wrap up November on the road at Pittsburg State to open MIAA play.
The Griffons will have a short December, with just four conference games before Winter Break. Western welcomes Emporia State and defending MIAA champion and 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifier, Missouri Southern to the fieldhouse the first week of December. The Griffons then head across the state line for conference games at Fort Hays and Washburn. Fort Hays is the second of two 2011 NCAA South Central Regional participants the Griffons will face.
After a short break, rival Northwest Missouri travels to the field house to bring in the new year in the first of nine January games for the Griffons. It will be the first of three straight home games followed by Lincoln and Truman State. Then it’s off to Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist before returning home for a rematch with Pittsburg State. Western wraps up January with Emporia State on the road and Washburn and Fort Hays at home.
The Griffons will hit the road for a challenging four game road stretch that begins with the defending conference champions in Joplin, then a rematch with the rival Bearcats before heading to Lincoln and Truman State. After four on the road, Western will close out the regular season with home games against Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist.
Click here for the entire 2011-2012 schedule.
— MWSU Sports Information —