TU releases men’s hoops slate
THOMASVILLE — Thomas University head coach Brent Crews has unveiled the 2019-20 men’s basketball schedule the school announced Tuesday.
Thomas opens the season at home against Xavier University of Louisiana on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. at the TU Gymnasium
“Our non-conference schedule will help us prepare for the Sun Conference slate, which is always rigorous,” said Crews.
The Night Hawks will play nine games in November, with just four at home. TU begins the month at Life University (Ga.) on Nov. 4, then faces Middle Georgia State Nov. 8 and Brewton-Parker College Nov. 9 before returning to the TU Gymnasium for four straight home matchups.
Nov. 12 Thomas plays the return game against Life at 6 p.m., and hosts College of Coastal Georgia at 4 p.m. Nov. 16. The Night Hawks then face Ave Maria University (Nov. 21) and Southeastern University (Nov. 23) to round out the homestand. Southeastern finished the 2018-19 campaign at No. 24 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Thomas will play three games in the Gulf Coast Tournament in Panama City, Fla., Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 29-Dec. 1.
The Night Hawks continue their seven-game road stretch with two Sun Conference matchups and a pair of exhibition games on the road. TU first travels to South Florida to play league games at Keiser University Dec. 5, then Johnson & Wales University Dec. 7, then battles Valdosta State University (Dec. 18) and University of Alabama-Birmingham (Dec. 28) in exhibition action.
Sun Conference action continues in January with Florida Memorial University (Jan. 9) and St. Thomas University (Jan. 11) at the TU Gymnasium.
The Night Hawks then play four of the next five, and seven of the final 11, games on the road.
After a traveling to play Webber International University Jan. 16, TU faces three straight teams listed in the final 2018-19 NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll. Thomas hosts No. 17 Warner University Jan. 18, then hits the road to play at No. 24 Southeastern (Jan. 23) and Ave Maria (Jan. 25), which was receiving votes in the poll.
TU plays seven games in February, three at home and four on the road. After a road game at Coastal Georgia Feb. 1, TU hosts Johnson & Wales (Feb. 6) and Keiser (Feb. 8). Three straight road matchups for TU include at St. Thomas (Feb. 13), Florida Memorial (Feb. 15) and Warner (Feb. 20). The Night Hawks end the regular season at home against Webber International Feb. 22.
Thomas was 13-13 overall last season with a 9-9 mark in the conference.