MBB Breakdown of Non-Conference Schedule
10/28/2021 1:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech men's basketball team is slated to play 11 non-conference games during the 2021-22 season, beginning on Nov. 9 at Alabama.
Here is a breakdown of the nine Division I opponents the Bulldogs will go up against prior to Conference USA play starting.
ALABAMA (Nov. 9) – SEC Network
It will be no easy task for LA Tech in the season opener as they travel to Tuscaloosa to face 14th-ranked and reigning SEC champion Alabama. The Crimson Tide went 26-7 a year ago (and a final NET ranking of eight), making it all the way to the Sweet 16 before falling in overtime to national runner-up UCLA.
Alabama was picked second in the SEC preseason poll and will be the first nationally-ranked opponent LA Tech goes up against to open the season since 2002. The two teams last met in 2017 when the Bulldogs nearly pulled off the upset, losing 77-74.
JACKSON STATE (Nov. 12) – ESPN+
LA Tech's home opener will come against Jackson State who went 12-6 last season, going undefeated in the SWAC at 11-0 in route to being co-regular season SWAC champions. The Tigers enter 2021-22 picked third in the SWAC preseason poll.
This will be the 15th meeting between the Bulldogs and Tigers on the hardwood. LA Tech has won 11 in a row, including last season's 85-58 victory in the Thomas Assembly Center.
NORTHWESTERN STATE (Nov. 19)
LA Tech will make the short drive to Natchitoches to face in-state foe Northwestern State inside Prather Coliseum. The Demons went 11-18 last season, but got hot late winning nine of their last 13 games to finish fifth in the Southland.
This will be the 146th meeting between the two programs and the first time for LA Tech playing at NSU since 2014. The Bulldogs defeated the Demons, 91-77, last season in Ruston in the Louisiana Tech Classic. This year's matchup will be part of the Lanky Wells Classic (Wells was a teammate of NSU head coach Mike McConathy during their time at LA Tech in the 1970's).
ULM (Nov. 24) – CUSA.tv
The Lanky Wells Classic concludes with LA Tech hosting ULM who went 7-19 a season ago. These two played a home-and-home series last season with the Bulldogs winning both meetings (won 78-62 in Ruston and 68-57 in Monroe).
It will mark the 91st meeting all-time between the programs separated by only 30 miles. LA Tech has won eight straight in the series.
NC STATE (Nov. 27) – ACC Network Extra/ESPN+
With LA Tech baseball and football playing NC State this calendar year, the men's basketball team will do so as well when they make the trip to Raleigh, N.C. The Wolfpack went 14-11 last season (finished with NET ranking of 73), advancing to the NIT quarterfinals after finishing the ACC on a five-game winning streak, including a win at No. 15 Virginia.
NC State was picked preseason ninth in the ACC poll. The two programs have met only once before with that meeting coming in 2014. The Bulldogs dropped the game, 73-65, to the Wolfpack.
TEXAS SOUTHERN (Dec. 1) – ESPN+
LA Tech will open up the month of December by hosting Texas Southern who went 17-9 last season, winning the SWAC Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are picked to finish first in the SWAC this season, returning four starters off last year's team.
This will be just the third meeting ever between LA Tech and TSU and the first since 2000. The Bulldogs have won both previous matchups.
SANTA CLARA (Dec. 4)
LA Tech will make its longest trip of the season on Dec. 4 when they fly out to California to face Santa Clara. The Broncos registered a 12-8 overall record last season, finishing with a NET ranking of 131.
It will be the first ever matchup versus Santa Clara who is picked sixth in the WCC preseason poll, returning two players who are on the preseason All-WCC Team. It will also be the Bulldogs first trip to the Golden State since 2016 when they played Cal.
UL-LAFAYETTE (Dec. 11) – ESPNU
The annual battle between LA Tech and UL-Lafayette continues on Dec. 11 when the two meet up inside the Thomas Assembly Center. The Ragin' Cajuns recorded a 17-9 record last season, finishing second in the Sun Belt West Division.
ULL, who has two players on the SBC preseason all-conference team, was picked second in the SBC preseason poll. The two teams have alternated home games every year since 2013.
LSU (Dec. 18) – CBS Sports Network
After last season's game against LSU was moved to Baton Rouge due to the season getting pushed back, LA Tech will now face the Tigers in Bossier City at Brookshire Grocery Arena. It will be the first time since 1945 that the two will play somewhere other than the state capital.
LSU went 19-10 last season, finishing with a NET ranking of 25 and a third-place finish in the SEC. The Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament for a second straight time. They are picked sixth in the SEC preseason poll and are receiving votes in the preseason AP poll.
Here is a breakdown of the nine Division I opponents the Bulldogs will go up against prior to Conference USA play starting.
ALABAMA (Nov. 9) – SEC Network
It will be no easy task for LA Tech in the season opener as they travel to Tuscaloosa to face 14th-ranked and reigning SEC champion Alabama. The Crimson Tide went 26-7 a year ago (and a final NET ranking of eight), making it all the way to the Sweet 16 before falling in overtime to national runner-up UCLA.
Alabama was picked second in the SEC preseason poll and will be the first nationally-ranked opponent LA Tech goes up against to open the season since 2002. The two teams last met in 2017 when the Bulldogs nearly pulled off the upset, losing 77-74.
JACKSON STATE (Nov. 12) – ESPN+
LA Tech's home opener will come against Jackson State who went 12-6 last season, going undefeated in the SWAC at 11-0 in route to being co-regular season SWAC champions. The Tigers enter 2021-22 picked third in the SWAC preseason poll.
This will be the 15th meeting between the Bulldogs and Tigers on the hardwood. LA Tech has won 11 in a row, including last season's 85-58 victory in the Thomas Assembly Center.
NORTHWESTERN STATE (Nov. 19)
LA Tech will make the short drive to Natchitoches to face in-state foe Northwestern State inside Prather Coliseum. The Demons went 11-18 last season, but got hot late winning nine of their last 13 games to finish fifth in the Southland.
This will be the 146th meeting between the two programs and the first time for LA Tech playing at NSU since 2014. The Bulldogs defeated the Demons, 91-77, last season in Ruston in the Louisiana Tech Classic. This year's matchup will be part of the Lanky Wells Classic (Wells was a teammate of NSU head coach Mike McConathy during their time at LA Tech in the 1970's).
ULM (Nov. 24) – CUSA.tv
The Lanky Wells Classic concludes with LA Tech hosting ULM who went 7-19 a season ago. These two played a home-and-home series last season with the Bulldogs winning both meetings (won 78-62 in Ruston and 68-57 in Monroe).
It will mark the 91st meeting all-time between the programs separated by only 30 miles. LA Tech has won eight straight in the series.
NC STATE (Nov. 27) – ACC Network Extra/ESPN+
With LA Tech baseball and football playing NC State this calendar year, the men's basketball team will do so as well when they make the trip to Raleigh, N.C. The Wolfpack went 14-11 last season (finished with NET ranking of 73), advancing to the NIT quarterfinals after finishing the ACC on a five-game winning streak, including a win at No. 15 Virginia.
NC State was picked preseason ninth in the ACC poll. The two programs have met only once before with that meeting coming in 2014. The Bulldogs dropped the game, 73-65, to the Wolfpack.
TEXAS SOUTHERN (Dec. 1) – ESPN+
LA Tech will open up the month of December by hosting Texas Southern who went 17-9 last season, winning the SWAC Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are picked to finish first in the SWAC this season, returning four starters off last year's team.
This will be just the third meeting ever between LA Tech and TSU and the first since 2000. The Bulldogs have won both previous matchups.
SANTA CLARA (Dec. 4)
LA Tech will make its longest trip of the season on Dec. 4 when they fly out to California to face Santa Clara. The Broncos registered a 12-8 overall record last season, finishing with a NET ranking of 131.
It will be the first ever matchup versus Santa Clara who is picked sixth in the WCC preseason poll, returning two players who are on the preseason All-WCC Team. It will also be the Bulldogs first trip to the Golden State since 2016 when they played Cal.
UL-LAFAYETTE (Dec. 11) – ESPNU
The annual battle between LA Tech and UL-Lafayette continues on Dec. 11 when the two meet up inside the Thomas Assembly Center. The Ragin' Cajuns recorded a 17-9 record last season, finishing second in the Sun Belt West Division.
ULL, who has two players on the SBC preseason all-conference team, was picked second in the SBC preseason poll. The two teams have alternated home games every year since 2013.
LSU (Dec. 18) – CBS Sports Network
After last season's game against LSU was moved to Baton Rouge due to the season getting pushed back, LA Tech will now face the Tigers in Bossier City at Brookshire Grocery Arena. It will be the first time since 1945 that the two will play somewhere other than the state capital.
LSU went 19-10 last season, finishing with a NET ranking of 25 and a third-place finish in the SEC. The Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament for a second straight time. They are picked sixth in the SEC preseason poll and are receiving votes in the preseason AP poll.
Saturday, March 14
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Friday, March 13
Thursday, March 12
