Sept. 4, 2002
WACO, Texas - Baylor's men's basketball head coach Dave Bliss announced the team's 2002-2003 schedule Wednesday. The schedule includes 16 home contests, several games against in-state private schools, a run through the competitive Big 12 Conference slate and matchups against four of the nation's most prolific coaches.
"This schedule allows us to prepare an inexperienced team for conference play," Bliss said, "as well as provide an excellent opportunity to play a lot of the private schools in the state."
The Bears continue several rivalries in 2002-2003 that date back to the Southwest Conference. Baylor will face former league foes Houston, TCU and SMU in non-conference games this season. In addition to the former SWC schools and current Big 12 rivals, the 2002-2003 schedule also includes non-conference games against three other in-state foes: Southwest Texas, North Texas and Texas-Pan American, for a total of 12 games against Texas schools.
"Our schedule also provides the opportunity for Baylor fans in Dallas and Houston to see the team a few times," Bliss said.
The 2002-2003 schedule includes two tournaments in November, the Dallas Lonestar Classic and the Space City Hoops Classic in Houston. The Bears will tip off the season against Alcorn State in the Lonestar Classic Nov. 23 at Reunion Arena. On Nov. 30, Baylor will play Houston in the inaugural Space City Hoops Classic at Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL's Houston Texans. Baylor visits Dallas a second time Dec. 21 to face SMU.
The 27-game regular-season schedule also includes six games involving teams with coaches on the NCAA's top-15 active winningest list. Baylor's Bliss, ranked 13th on the list with 512 career victories, will face Jim Phelan of Mount St. Mary's (No. 1 - 819), Bob Knight of Texas Tech (No. 2 - 787), Eddie Sutton of Oklahoma State (No. 5 - 702) and Davey L. Whitney of Alcorn State (No. 12 - 551).
Among the 16 games at the Ferrell Center this season are matchups against TCU, Mount St. Mary's, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, as well as the annual home contests vs. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
Seven Baylor games are scheduled to be televised regionally, including four on ESPN Regional as part of the Big 12's television package. Three additional games will be telecast on Fox Sports Net Southwest.
The Bears' first action will be Nov. 13, in an exhibition game vs. Texas BlueChip. A second exhibition game will be played Nov. 19, against the Houston Superstars. The regular season tips off Nov. 23 against Alcorn State in Dallas.
For the complete schedule, click here.
