CU announces 2023-24 men's basketball schedule
Sep. 23—Eric Evans' first season as Cumberland's men's basketball coach is set to begin Oct. 26 as the Phoenix face off against Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn.
As November dawns, the Phoenix are on the move. On Nov. 3, they hit the road again, bound for Pulaskifor the Tennessee Southern Tournament. The opener against the Firehawks will be the first time the in-state rivals have met since Tennessee Southern went back to the Southern States Athletic Conference this season. The following day, the Phoenix continue their quest as they face off against Point, once again in Pulaski.
But the challenges don't stop there. Nov. 10-11 mark a significant milestone as Cumberland heads to Indianapolis for the Mid-South/Crossroads Crossover. A back-to-back weekend of basketball intensity awaits with Friday pitting the Phoenix against Marian and Saturday against St. Francis. This is the third annual Mid-South Conference/Crossroads League Crossover this time hosted by Marian.
Later in November, on the 24th and 25th, the Phoenix return to Tennessee, but will be in Kingsport as they take part in one of the biggest NAIA basketball classics at The Show. Here, they'll go head-to-head with Arizona Christian and Columbia International. The Show takes place in the Convention Center of MeadowView Resort where they can run two games at a time for a truly unique venue. This is the ninth year the tournament has been put on.
Cumberland will roll into its home opener just after Thanksgiving as CU plays host to Oakwood on Nov. 28. On Dec. 5, the Phoenix journey to Fort Wayne, Ind., for a showdown against Indiana Tech. Then, back on home floor Dec. 9, Tennessee Southern comes knocking at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.
The mid-December stretch brings the Southeastern Tournament in Lakeland, Fla., into focus. On Dec. 15-16, the team faces Southeastern and Florida College, respectively before the team breaks for the Holidays.
As the calendar flips to January, Cumberland's focus shifts to the conference battles that will define its season. On Jan. 11, the Phoenix embark to Henderson to challenge Freed-Hardeman. A pivotal home game awaits on Jan. 13 as Cumberland hosts Campbellsville at the Dallas Floyd Arena. The Phoenix head on the road for the next three contests heading to the Cumberlands on Jan.18 and then again to Georgetown on the 20th. The Phoenix head to Columbia, Ky., on Jan. 27 after getting that Thursday off to take on Lindsey Wilson.
February brings the final stretch of conference matchups. On Feb. 1, Bethel University visits the Dallas Floyd Arena. Then, on Feb. 3, Cumberland hits the road to Campbellsville, Ky., to face Campbellsville. Feb. 8 sees a return to Lebanon as Lindsey Wilson College comes to town.
Later in February, on the 15th and 17th, Freed-Hardeman and Bethel University will be the opponents. As the regular season winds down, Feb. 22 marks a showdown against the University of Cumberlands at home. The grand finale unfolds on Feb. 24, as Georgetown College comes to the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena for Senior Day.
