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"Backyard Brawl" Returning to Coliseum as Top Game on WVU Men's Basketball Non-Conference Slate

By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on April 12, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

West Virginia University Director of Athletics Shane Lyons has announced the 2018-19 men’s basketball non-conference home schedule.
 
The non-conference home schedule is highlighted by Pitt’s first visit to the WVU Coliseum since 2012 and three teams who advanced to postseason play in 2017-18.
 
WVU will open the regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 9 against Buffalo. The Bulls won the Mid-American Conference championship last season and advanced to the NCAA Second Round after a first-round defeat of Arizona. Buffalo’s last visit to Morgantown was in 1991.
 
Valparaiso will make its first-ever trip to Morgantown on Nov. 24. The Crusaders have been to the postseason in seven of the last eight seasons.
 
WVU will close November at home on Nov. 28 against Rider. The Broncs were the regular season MAAC champions last season and participated in the NIT. Rider will visit the Coliseum for the first time since 1978.
 
The Mountaineers will begin a three-game series with Youngstown State this season on Dec. 1. The Penguins are coached by former WVU assistant and Fairmont State head coach Jerrod Calhoun. Youngstown State has not been to Morgantown since 1982.
 
The Backyard Brawl returns to Morgantown on Saturday, Dec. 8. The two teams will meet for the 186th time, and it will be Pitt’s first visit to Morgantown as a non-conference opponent since 1993.
 
WVU will close December with home games against Jacksonville State on Dec. 22 and Lehigh on Dec. 30. Jacksonville State will make its first appearance in the Coliseum after advancing to the CBI last season. Lehigh will make its first visit to WVU since 1975.
 
The Mountaineers will play one exhibition game against Alderson Broaddus on Saturday, Nov. 3.
 
“We wanted to accomplish two things going into this year’s home non-conference schedule,” coach Bob Huggins said. “The first thing was that we wanted to bolster our home non-conference strength of schedule by playing teams with better RPIs. Secondly, we wanted to play more weekend home games to help accommodate our fans and television partners.
 
“Obviously, we are excited for the Backyard Brawl to return to the Coliseum this season. Opening the season against Buffalo and what they’ve done recently is a great way to tip off the 2018-19 season. The rest of the home schedule features opponents from a variety of conferences who have done well or are predicted to do well in their league schedules this season.”
 
Big 12 Conference play is scheduled to begin in January this season.
 
WVU will play three games in the inaugural Myrtle Beach Invitational on Nov. 15, 16 and 18. The Big 12/SEC Challenge is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2019. The rest of WVU’s non-conference schedule away from home will be announced at later dates.
 
Saturday           Nov. 3               Alderson Broaddus (exhibition)   Morgantown
Friday               Nov. 9               Buffalo                                     Morgantown
Saturday           Nov. 24             Valparaiso #                              Morgantown
Wednesday       Nov. 28             Rider                                        Morgantown
Saturday           Dec. 1               Youngstown State                     Morgantown
Saturday           Dec. 8               Pitt                                           Morgantown
Saturday           Dec. 22             Jacksonville State                     Morgantown
Sunday             Dec. 30             Lehigh                                      Morgantown
 
# Non-bracketed game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational
- All Dates Subject to Change



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