Texas Wesleyan University, who earlier this year returned to the NAIA and joined the Red River Athletic Conference, released today the official 2002-2003 Men’s Basketball schedule, which includes two games against NCAA division 1 programs and 20 games against their new Red River Conference opponents.

On November 22, the Rams travel to Lake Charles, Louisiana to face back-to-back Southland Conference champion and NCAA tournament participant McNeese State University. As the 14th seed in the Midwest bracket of the 2002 NCAA tournament, the Cowboys lost to #3 Mississippi State in the first round at American Airlines Center in Dallas. McNeese returns two All-Southland Conference players in seniors Damond Williams and Jason Coleman, and also boasts last season’s All-Southland Conference Head Coach Tic Price.

Eight days later, on Saturday, November 30th, the Rams square off against metroplex rival UT-Arlington, another NCAA Division 1 Southland Conference opponent. Game time is 4 PM at Texas Hall on the UTA campus.

The 2002-2003 season begins on the road for the Rams, as they face three opponents in three days in Oklahoma City. On November 7, the Rams will take on Mid America University, followed by Southwest Oklahoma Christian and Hillsdale College on the 8th and 9th.

On November 11, the Rams will play their first home game, a rematch against Southwest Oklahoma in the Sid Richardson Center. Prior to tip-off, Wesleyan will unveil an Elite Eight banner, honoring the 2001-2002 Ram basketball team for their achievement in last season’s UCSAA national tournament. The team won 20 games on it’s way to the most prolific season at Wesleyan in two decades.

Conference play begins on December 3rd at home against Paul Quinn College, followed by trips to Southwestern Assemblies of God (Waxahachie) and Jarvis Christian (Tyler) on the 12th and 14th, respectively, before the team breaks for the Christmas holidays.

Three non-conference games after the break will include NAIA powerhouses Oklahoma Christian University and Southern Nazarene University as the Rams prepare for the stretch run of the season - 17 consecutive conference games beginning with UT-Permian Basin on January 11th. Conference Co-champions Houston Baptist will be in Fort Worth on February 24, while Red River Tournament Champion and elite eight participant Huston-Tillotson will clash with the Rams on January 18 in Fort Worth.

Texas Wesleyan University is eligible for all post season play associated with both the Red River Conference and the NAIA immediately this season.

All home and conference games tip off at 7:30 PM with the exception of the December 30th contest against Concordia University which begins at 2:00 PM. All conference games are doubleheaders with the Lady Rams, whose games begin at 5:30.

Admission to all Texas Wesleyan University Basketball games is three dollars for adults, two dollars for students and free for Texas Wesleyan students and faculty with a ID card.

To see the complete schedule, click here.