On June 2, K-State released their 2016-17 nonconference men’s basketball schedule and some of the biggest games for the Wildcats occur away from the friendly confines of Bramlage Coliseum.
The highlight of the Wildcats nonconference slate is when the Wildcats say, “Hello, Brooklyn” and compete in the 2016-17 Barclays Center Classic on Nov. 25 in one semifinal against ACC opponent Boston College. Maryland of the Big Ten will face off against the University of Richmond from the Atlantic 10 in the other semifinal.
“We are obviously excited to play in this high-quality preseason tournament in a world-class basketball venue like the Barclays Center,” head coach Bruce Weber said to K-State Sports. “I know Boston College was a young team last season and return their nucleus to go with a solid recruiting class. Maryland was one of the best teams in the country a year ago and should be again among the best with the return of (Melo) Trimble. Richmond is always one of the better teams in the Atlantic 10. This will be high-level experience for our team relatively early in the season.”
Another highlight on the Wildcats’ schedule is a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Big 12-SEC Challenge against the Tennessee Volunteers, who are led by former University of Texas coach Rick Barnes. In addition to the midseason trip at Tennessee, K-State travels to St. Louis to play the Billikens on Dec. 3 and hosts Washington State on Dec. 10 in the Wildcat Classic, a neutral-site game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City.
The Wildcats also make a return trip to face off against Colorado State, last season’s opponent in the Wildcat Classic. That game will occur at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Dec. 17. Colorado State will look to avenge a 61-56 defeat to K-State on Dec. 19, 2015.
The home slate for this coming season begins with four straight games at home, starting with Western Illinois University on Nov. 11 and Omaha on Nov. 15. Before the Wildcats travel to Brooklyn, they will compete in two “opening games” for the Barclays Center Classic against Hampton University on Nov. 20 and Robert Morris University on Nov. 22.
The remaining three games of the 2016 nonconference schedule occur against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Nov. 30, Prairie View A&M University on Dec. 6 and Gardner-Webb University on Dec. 21.
