As expected, the 2018-19 schedule of games in the Big Sky Conference for the Eastern Washington University men’s basketball team will have a few twists and turns.
The schedule was announced by the league on July 24, and includes 20 conference games for the first time since the 2013-14 and 2012-13 seasons. Those were the only years in the league’s 55-year history the schedule has included 20 conference games.
The departure of North Dakota left the league with 11 members, making for a challenge in scheduling 20 games for each team in a span of 11 weekends. Travel partners – such as Idaho paired with EWU – were retained as much as possible, but the “lone wolf” is always prevalent when scheduling an odd amount of teams.
Most notably, Eastern will play four games on Monday, including three at home at Reese Court. The Eagles will also host Montana and Montana State in back-to-back games, but those will come nine days apart.
However, the good news for the Eagles is that their road travel schedule is as good as could be expected. The lone Monday road game is at Northern Colorado – four days after the Eagles play at nearby local rival Idaho.
“Scheduling 11 teams in a 20-game schedule is definitely a difficult task,” Eastern head coach Shantay Legans said. “But we are pleased with how it came out for us. It’s definitely different playing on Mondays, but we’ll embrace the challenges and fight to win the league title.”
Eastern’s non-conference schedule, as well as game times, will be announced at a later date. The Big Sky Conference Championship, which will take place in Boise, Idaho, for the next three years, is scheduled for March 11-16, 2019 at CenturyLink Arena.
The Eagles finished the 2017-18 season with a 20-15 record in their 35th season as a member of NCAA Division I after finishing 13-5 in the league during their 31st season as a member of the Big Sky. Eastern made its fourth-straight national postseason appearance when the team competed in the 2018 College Basketball Invitational.
2018-19 EWU Men’s Basketball Big Sky Conference Schedule
Day Opponent
Saturday, Dec. 29 Weber State
Monday, Dec. 31 Idaho State
Thursday, Jan. 3 at Idaho
Monday, Jan. 7 at Northern Colorado
Thursday, Jan. 10 Montana
Saturday, Jan. 19 Montana State
Thursday, Jan. 24 at Portland State
Saturday, Jan. 26 at Sacramento State
Saturday, Feb. 2 Southern Utah
Monday, Feb. 4 Northern Arizona
Thursday, Feb. 7 at Montana State
Saturday, Feb. 9 at Montana
Saturday, Feb. 16 Northern Colorado
Monday, Feb. 18 Idaho
Thursday, Feb. 21 at Southern Utah
Saturday, Feb. 23 at Northern Arizona
Thursday, Feb. 28 Sacramento State
Saturday, March 2 Portland State
Thursday, March 7 at Idaho State
Saturday, March 9 at Weber State
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