Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Head Men's Basketball Coach Joe Mihalich announced today his squad's non-conference schedule for the 2013-14 campaign.

“Our 2013-14 non-conference schedule features a great mix of opponents that will challenge us and assist the team as we prepare for the rigors of conference play,” commented Mihalich. “We look forward to renewing some old rivalries, while also continuing other exciting matchups with our local counterparts.  In addition, we are thrilled to take part in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, highlighted by a game against Louisville, the defending National Champion.”

The 15-game slate features a mix of seven home games, six road games and a pair of neutral site contests at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut as part of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2013 Tip-Off Tournament. The schedule is highlighted by a trip to Louisville to face the defending National Champion Cardinals on November 12.

The 15 opponents combined for 246 wins, an average of over 16 victories per team. The schedule includes five teams that qualified for postseason play, including two that appeared in the NCAA Tournament (Louisville and Belmont). Belmont is a possible opponent in the Tip-Off Tournament as the Pride will open with Hartford and then face either Belmont or Holy Cross. The Bruins won 26 games a season ago and are one of three opponents with 20-plus victories (Louisville, Belmont and Tulane – 20).

The schedule begins with a pair of home games as the Pride will open the season at the Mack Sports Complex on November 8 with a game against Monmouth. Two days later, on Sunday, November 10 the Pride will host Fairleigh Dickinson in the first of a unique home-and-home series as Hofstra will visit FDU on January 5.

Hofstra's first road game of the 2013-14 campaign will be a huge test as the Pride will visit the KFC Yum! Center on November 12 to take on the Louisville Cardinals. Louisville captured the 2012-13 National Title and compiled a 35-5 record a season ago.

That game will be the first of four games in a row associated with the Tip-Off Tournament as Hofstra will next visit Richmond on November 19 before heading to Connecticut for the next two contests. The Spiders advanced to postseason play a season ago, taking part in the College Basketball Invitational.

The two games at Mohegan Sun will feature Hofstra vs. Hartford and then the Pride will take on Holy Cross or Belmont in the championship/consolation rounds of the “Springfield Bracket”.

Hofstra returns home for two straight games following the tournament as the Pride will host Manhattan on November 30 before another home tilt against Sacred Heart on December 4.

Two of Hofstra's next three games will be on the road with a return trip to Southern Methodist (SMU) on December 7 followed by a home game against Central Connecticut State on December 15.  The three-game stretch ends with a visit to Siena on December 23 in the Pride's last game before the Christmas Break.

Hofstra last four non-conference games will see the Pride host George Washington on December 28 and NJIT on December 30 before visiting New Orleans on January 2 to face Tulane and returning the favor to FDU on January 5.

The postseason teams on Hofstra's non-conference schedule in 2013-14 include Louisville (NCAA), Richmond (CBI), Hartford (CIT), Belmont (NCAA) and Tulane (CIT).

The 2013-14 season will mark the first at Hofstra for Mihalich, who spent the last 15 years as the head coach at Niagara.

For ticket information call the Hofstra Athletic Box Office at (516) HOF-TIXX.

Non-Conference Schedule