5 top 52 RPI teams on non-conference slate
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A matchup against his former head coach at a neutral site, a home game against his former team and rematches against Texas and Oklahoma highlight the 2009-10 non-conference men’s basketball schedule for head coach John Pelphrey and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
The Southeastern Conference schedule, game times and television broadcasts will be announced at a later date.
Eight of Arkansas’ 15 regular-season non-conference opponents earned a post-season tournament bid last year.
Before conference play begins, Pelphrey will coach against his former coach, Rick Pitino, when Arkansas faces Louisville in St. Louis on Nov. 17. The school Pelphrey coached before coming to Arkansas two years ago, South Alabama, visits Bud Walton Arena on Nov. 29. The Razorbacks beat No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 7 Texas last season, and face both again this year. The Hogs travel to Oklahoma on Dec. 2 while Texas returns to Fayetteville on Jan. 5.
Counting two exhibition games, against Dillard on Nov. 2 and Lemoyne-Owen on Nov. 5, Arkansas has 17 non-conference contests with 14 in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks return to Alltel Arena in North Little Rock for a Dec. 30 contest against former Southwest Conference rival Baylor.
The Hogs open the regular season at home against Alcorn State on Nov. 13. Following the Louisville game, Arkansas has four straight at home against Appalachian State on Nov. 20, Morgan State on Nov. 24, East Tennessee State on Nov. 27 and South Alabama on Nov. 29.
Following the trip to Oklahoma, Arkansas is in Fayetteville for five straight against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 5, Delaware State Dec. 7, Alabama State Dec. 16, Stephen F. Austin Dec. 19 and Missouri State Dec. 22. After the Baylor game, the Hogs close their non-conference schedule with home games against Alabama-Birmingham on Jan. 2 and Texas on Jan. 5.
Oklahoma (No. 5), Louisville (7), Texas (38), Baylor (44) and UAB (52) were among the top schools in the nation in the final RPI rankings last season. Louisville, Texas, Oklahoma, East Tennessee State, Stephen F. Austin and Morgan State all earned bids to the NCAA Tournament with Louisville and OU reaching the Elite Eight. Baylor and UAB earned spots in the National Invitation Tournament with Baylor advancing to the championship game.
2009-10 Razorback Non-Conference Basketball Schedule
Date Opponent Location
Monday, Nov. 2 Dillard (exhibition) Fayetteville, Ark.
Thursday, Nov. 5 Lemoyne-Owen (exhibition) Fayetteville, Ark.
Friday, Nov. 13 Alcorn St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Tuesday, Nov. 17 vs. LouisvilleSt. Louis, Mo.
Friday, Nov. 20 Appalachian St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 Morgan St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Friday, Nov. 27 East Tennessee St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Sunday, Nov. 29 South Alabama Fayetteville, Ark.
Wednesday, Dec. 2at Oklahoma Norman, Okla.
Saturday, Dec. 5 Mississippi Valley St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Monday, Dec. 7 Delaware St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Wednesday, Dec. 16Alabama St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Saturday, Dec. 19 Stephen F. Austin Fayetteville, Ark.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 Missouri St. Fayetteville, Ark.
Wednesday, Dec. 30#vs. Baylor North Little Rock, Ark.
Saturday, Jan. 2 Alabama-Birmingham Fayetteville, Ark.
Tuesday, Jan. 5 Texas Fayetteville, Ark.
Fayetteville games in bold
# – game played in Alltel Arena
SEC games, game times and television will be announced later
