Sept. 22, 2008

Complete 2008-09 Baylor Men's Basketball Schedule in PDF Format

WACO, Texas - A Ferrell Center record-tying 18 home games, including ESPN contests against Kansas and Oklahoma, highlight Baylor's 2008-09 men's basketball schedule released Monday.

The Bears have played 18 home games at the Ferrell Center two times. In 2006-07, BU went 13-5 at home and 11-7 in 1999-2000.

Baylor, coming off a 21-11 season that culminated in the Bears making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 seasons, will play 10 games on the ESPN family of networks. Baylor's schedule also features eight 2008 NCAA Tournament participants - Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Portland State, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas-Arlington and Washington State. The Bears could play one additional 2008 NCAA participant - Cal State Fullerton or Saint Mary's (Calif.) - depending upon the outcome of the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

"This will be the most televised schedule in Baylor history," head coach Scott Drew said. "It is a credit to what the players and fans have been able to achieve in this rebuilding process.

"We have a very solid schedule that includes as many as nine NCAA Tournaments teams from last season. Our non-conference schedule will help us prepare for what's going to be an exciting Big 12 Conference season."

After an exhibition game against Tarleton State on Nov. 8, the Bears will open the regular season with four consecutive home games against Paul Quinn (Nov. 15), Centenary (Nov. 18), Southern (Nov. 22) and Jacksonville (Nov. 24). Baylor's non-conference matchup with Centenary was originally scheduled to be played in Shreveport, but the schools elected to move it to Waco.

Baylor will then hit the road Thanksgiving weekend to participate at the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif. The Bears, one of three teams in the tournament field that earned a 2008 NCAA Tournament berth, will open with Providence (Nov. 27) on ESPN2. The Bears will then play either Arizona State or Charlotte on Nov. 28 and conclude with consolation or championship play on Nov. 30. All games during the 76 Classic will be featured on either ESPN2 or ESPNU.

The Bears will remain on the West Coast to face Washington State in Pullman, Wash., for the second meeting in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series on Dec. 6 televised nationally on FSN.

Baylor returns home for a seven-game homestand that will include its Big 12 opener. The Bears will host Prairie View A&M (Dec. 13), Hartford (Dec. 22) and Jackson State (Dec. 31) on FSN Southwest, while Texas-Arlington (Dec. 20) and Portland State (Dec. 29) are not currently scheduled to be televised.

The New Year begins with the Bears' final non-conference home date - a meeting with South Carolina on Jan. 2.

Baylor will open its Big 12 schedule at the Ferrell Center against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Jan. 10. A rematch of last season's epic five-overtime win in College Station follows on Jan. 14, when the Bears visit Texas A&M on ESPN2. After a Big 12 Network showdown at home with Oklahoma State on Jan. 17, the Bears travel to Kansas State (Jan. 21) and Oklahoma (Jan. 24) for a pair of ESPN network contests.

Texas ventures to the Ferrell Center on Jan. 27 for the half of a home-and-home with the Bears that will be featured on the Big 12 Network. The Bears then face the Missouri Tigers on the Big 12 Network on Jan. 31, before returning home to host defending national champion on ESPN's "Big Monday" on Feb. 2.

Three more ESPN dates follow at Texas Tech (Feb. 7) on ESPNU, home against Oklahoma (Feb. 11) on ESPN2 and at Texas (March 2) on ESPN "Big Monday."

The Bears conclude their conference schedule with three home games against Texas A&M (Feb. 14), Colorado (Feb. 28) and Nebraska (March 7). Baylor will also visit Oklahoma State (Feb. 21) and Iowa State (Feb. 24).

The 2009 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship will be March 11-14 in Oklahoma City.

Season tickets for the 2008-09 season are on sale now. For additional season ticket information, contact the Baylor Athletic Ticket Office at (800) BAYLORU or (254) 710-1000 or visit BaylorBears.com.