Men's Basketball Team Will Face UT, Texas Tech and BYU Three 2000 NCAA Tournament qualifiers and one 2000 National Invitational Tournament participant will highlight the 2000-2001 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi men's basketball slate, announced Islander Athletic Director Dan Viola. A&M-Corpus Christi, which is coming off an impressive 13-13 mark in its inaugural year of basketball, will play a 30-game schedule, featuring 14 home and 16 road games. Two of those home games are exhibitions, November 8 and 13th.

Head Coach Ronnie Arrow talks strategy with players.

Headlining the schedule will be a showdown with Big 12 power Texas in Austin (24-9), Dec. 16; a trip to Indiana to take on Mid-Continent Conference representative Valparaiso (19-13), Dec. 7; and a date with the reigning Big South Conference champion Winthrop (21-9), Jan. 22 in Rock Hill, S.C. Lee Denmon (#5) is shown in action during the 1999-2000 season.

The schedule also features the potential of facing two NIT participants from a year ago. On January 6, the Islanders will take on BYU (22-11) in Provo, Utah. The second possible matchup might happen Dec. 1-2 in Springfield, MO. A&M-Corpus Christi could play tournament host Southwest Missouri State (23-11) in either a first or second round tilt. "Last year's schedule was tough, but this year's is even tougher," said Islander Head Coach Ronnie Arrow. "To get this program where we want it to be and to attract quality student athletes, you have to put together a competitive and balanced schedule. I think we have done that." Several familiar faces are also part of the 2000-2001 slate as home and home dates with Belmont, Centenary and UT-Pan American will be on tap. The Islanders will travel to play Bethune-Cookman and Texas Tech, while hosting the University of Albany (N.Y.), the University of Portland and Portland State at Circle K Court. A&M-Corpus Christi will also host its first tournament, Dec. 28-29, as Birmingham Southern, Cleveland State and Winthrop will make the trip down to Corpus Christi. The Islanders will return to Cleveland State and Winthrop later in the year.

Islander Men's Basketball Schedule