Monmouth Basketball Releases 2018-2019 Non-Conference Schedule

After an 11-20 season, which included a 7-11 record in the MAAC, Monmouth is looking to rebound in the 2018-2019 season. Experience will be the story as many young players will be expected to play significant minutes in new, expanded roles for the Hawks. However, there is no rest for the weary as Monmouth released their non-conference for the upcoming season.

“We have put another challenging schedule in front of our team and we’re excited to get it started,” said Rice. “The MAAC is such a tough league and our non-conference schedule gets us ready for that.”

Monmouth’s non-conference schedule features just one team that had a losing record to go along with three conference champions. The season begins at the OceanFirst Bank Center when the Hawks takes on Lehigh on Nov. 6. They then hit the road for two road games against Colgate (Nov. 9) and Saint Joseph’s (Nov. 12) before participating in the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

The Myrtle Beach Invitational is an eight-team, three-day tournament. For a team like Monmouth, this event could be a resume building weekend. Monmouth drew West Virginia (NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 participant) in their opening game on Nov. 15. Other teams that could face the Hawks are Cal State Fullerton (Big West champion), Western Kentucky and Wake Forest (coached by Danny Manning).

“We’re really excited to play in the Myrtle Beach Invitational this season,” said Head Coach King Rice. “This is a great tournament for our program and our school to be in. The field has some great teams and programs and we can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Monmouth’s non-conference schedule also features a trip to Lexington to take on Kentucky at famed Rupp Arena. Monmouth played Kentucky at Madison Square Garden last season as the Hawks fell to the Wildcats 93-76.

The Hawks’ non-conference tilt finishes with a visit to The Palestra to play Penn on New Year’s Eve. In all, Monmouth plays just three games in West Long Branch for the 13 non-conference matchups. These games will be a litmus test as to what kind of team King Rice has heading into MAAC conference play. It will be sink or swim time for the Hawks, and it begins on Nov. 6th.

2018-19 Monmouth Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

DATE                                  OPPONENT                                      LOCATION

November 6                    Lehigh                                              OceanFirst Bank Center

November 9                    Colgate                                             Hamilton, NY

November 12                  Saint Joseph’s                                 Philadelphia, PA

November 15-18           Myrtle Beach Invitational             Conway, SC (Coastal Carolina University)

November 24                 Princeton                                         OceanFirst Bank Center

November 28                 Kentucky                                          Lexington, KY

December 1                    Bucknell                                            Lewisburg, PA

December 5                    Hofstra                                             Hempstead, NY

December 8                    Albany                                              Albany, NY

December 20                  Yale                                                   OceanFirst Bank Center

December 31                  Penn                                                  Philadelphia, PA