By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – Seven home contests and five first-time opponents grace the 2022-23 University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball 13-game nonconference schedule, which was unveiled today by second-year head coach Ryan Ridder.
The Skyhawks’ seven home nonconference outings are tied for the most in the school’s Division I Era (since 1992), equaling the total from the 2016-17 and 2013-14 seasons. In addition, the Skyhawks take on Pitt, Youngstown State, Prairie View A&M, McNeese State and Chicago State for the first time ever.
Overall, UT Martin will lace them up against teams from 14 different conferences before the 18-game OVC schedule begins on Dec. 29.
The 2022-23 season officially begins on Nov. 7 when UT Martin visits Pitt out of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Skyhawks will then make the 65-mile trek to Youngstown State for a Nov. 9 matchup, taking on a Penguin squad who won 19 games and made the postseason a year ago.
UT Martin’s home opener is set for Nov. 12 against Champion Christian out of Hot Springs, Ark. Three days later, the Skyhawks return to the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center to take on Harris-Stowe out of St. Louis, Mo.
A Nov. 18 trip to Southeastern Conference opponent Ole Miss is next on the docket before UT Martin hosts Prairie View A&M on Nov. 20. The Skyhawks will then take the short 140-mile drive to Arkansas State on Nov. 22, renewing a rivalry with the Sun Belt Conference foe.
McNeese State, coached by former UT Martin assistant John Aiken, will visit the Elam Center on Nov. 28. The Skyhawks travel to 2021-22 postseason participant UNC Asheville – the only returning nonconference opponent to appear on this year’s slate – on Dec. 3.
Following an eight-day layoff to focus on final examinations, UT Martin plays host to Chicago State and nearby rival Bethel on Dec. 11 and Dec. 13, respectively. The Skyhawks will make their second trip to Bowling Green State in the last five years on Dec. 17 before a Dec. 19 home outing against Crowley’s Ridge out of Paragould, Ark. concludes the nonconference portion of the schedule.
The OVC released its basketball schedules on July 14. UT Martin will play an 18-game double round-robin slate featuring home-and-home series against Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Little Rock, Morehead State, SIUE, Southeast Missouri, Southern Indiana, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. The league’s schedule runs through Feb. 25 before the OVC Championship will take place at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. on March 1-4.
To view the complete 2022-23 Skyhawk men’s basketball schedule, click here: https://utmsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information