MANHATTAN, Kan. – Eight home games at Bramlage Coliseum, including a marquee matchup with Marquette, the Hall of Fame Classic at T-Mobile Center and road contests against regional foes Wichita State and Nebraska highlight the 2021-22 Kansas State men's basketball non-conference schedule released on Thursday (July 1).
The upcoming 2021-22 season will mark a return to full capacity at Bramlage Coliseum, as the Wildcats open their eight-game non-conference home schedule against Florida A&M on Wednesday, November 10. The team will also host a pair of to-be-determined exhibition games prior to the season opener.
"I have said a number of times that building your non-conference schedule is nearly as important as recruiting," said head coach Bruce Weber. "As a staff, you want to build a quality schedule that gives your team a chance at an NCAA Tournament bid, but also help develop them as the season goes along. We still have a relatively young team, so it was important to give them more experience especially at home to build confidence."
K-State previously announced several components of its non-conference schedule, including the Hall of Fame Classic with Arkansas, Cincinnati and Illinois on Monday and Tuesday, November 22-23 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, a matchup with Wichita State at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita on Sunday, December 5, a home game with Marquette in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle on Wednesday, December 8 as well as road contests at Nebraska on Sunday, December 19 and at Ole Miss in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday, January 29, 2022.
"We already play in the best conference in the country, so our guys are going to play outstanding competition," said Weber. "But to then add the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City with teams like Arkansas, Cincinnati and Illinois and the three road games at Wichita State, Nebraska and Ole Miss, we feel confident this non-conference schedule gives our team a number of challenges and opportunities to build toward an NCAA Tournament bid.
"Many thanks to (director of operations) Drew Speraw for his hard work in getting this schedule built."
In all, the Wildcats will play at least 17 home games (not including exhibitions) in 2021-22, including the nine-game Big 12 schedule with visits from reigning national champion Baylor and NCAA Tournament participants Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia. The complete conference schedule is expected to be released early in the fall.
Season tickets for the 2021-22 season will go on sale on Wednesday, July 21.
"It will be great to have a full crowd back at Bramlage this season," said Weber. "They always provide a huge home court advantage and will be a big lift to our team."