FMU men's basketball announces 2009-10 schedule

FLORENCE — The Francis Marion University men’s basketball team will open its schedule with an exhibition game at Clemson.

The Patriots will meet the Tigers on Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. atLittlejohn Coliseum. The match-up will be the first for Francis Marion against an ACC opponent since a pair of regular-season losses to Georgia Tech in the early 1980s.

Nine days later, Francis Marion will open its regular season, for the second year in a row at Florida Tech’s Tip-Off Classic in Melbourne, Fla.

FMU will play the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 15 and the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras on Nov. 16.

The 27-game slate includes 13 home contests. FMU will play its home opener on Nov. 18 against Carver Bible College.

With the addition of Flagler College and the University of Montevallo to the Peach Belt, the conference will be divided into divisions, with FMUplaying in the seven-team East Division. FMU will play every team in its division home and away, while meeting the six teams in the West Division only once.

The 2010 PBC Tournament has also been altered. First-round games will be played at on-campus sites with the semifinals and championship game to be played in Aiken.

The Patriots will play local-rival Coker College on Nov. 20 in the opening game of the UNC Pembroke Classic.

Fourth-year coach Gary Edwards returns four players from last year’s squad that posted a 16-12 record and tied for fifth during the Peach Belt Conference regular season. That mark was the second-best record for the Patriots this decade.

This year’s roster has been augmented by five freshmen and 10 transfers.

Francis Marion University
2009-2010 Men’s Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Time
Nov. 6 at Clemson University (exhibition) 7:30
Nov. 15 at Florida Tech Tip-Off Classic in Melbourne, FL
vs Univ. of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez 2:00
Nov. 16 at Florida Tech Tip-Off Classic in Melbourne, FL
vs Univ. of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 5:00
Nov. 18 Carver Bible College 7:30
Nov. 20-21 at UNC Pembroke Classic in Pembroke, NC
Nov. 20 vs Coker College 6:00
Nov. 21 vs St. Andrews Presbyterian College 3:00
Nov. 24 at The Apprentice School 6:00
Nov. 30 Allen University 7:00
Dec. 2 USC Aiken * 7:30
Dec. 5 The Apprentice School 7:00
Jan. 2 UNC Pembroke * 3:30
Jan. 4 Southern Wesleyan University 7:00
Jan. 6 at Lander University * 7:30
Jan. 9 at Augusta State University * 7:30
Jan. 13 at USC Aiken * 7:30
Jan. 16 Georgia Southwestern State Univ. * 3:30
Jan. 17 Columbus State University * 3:30
Jan. 23 Flagler College * 3:30
Jan. 29 at Georgia College & State University * 7:30
Jan. 31 at University of Montevallo * 4:30
Feb. 3 at UNC Pembroke * 7:30
Feb. 6 Armstrong Atlantic State University * 3:30
Feb. 10 at North Georgia College & State Univ. * 7:30
Feb. 13 Clayton State University * 3:30
Feb. 17 Lander University * 7:30
Feb. 20 Augusta State University * # 3:30
Feb. 24 at Flagler College * 7:30
Feb. 27 at Armstrong Atlantic State University * 3:30
Mar. 1-2 at Peach Belt Conference Tournament TBA
Mar. 5-7 at Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Aiken, SC

* Peach Belt Conference game
All times listed are Eastern Times
# Homecoming