OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College 2019-20 men's basketball schedule has been released, as announced by Head Coach Drew Cooper on Tuesday. The Panthers reunite with Southern Indiana for the first time since the fall of 2017 while continuing an old rivalry against Bellarmine.
 
The early portion of the schedule is highlighted with two prime match-ups. Wesleyan is entering year two of a four-year deal with Bellarmine. The Knights will host the Panthers on November 13^th.  Bellarmine finished 28-5 last season, falling in the Regional Final to Southern Indiana.
 
The Screaming Eagles will open their new arena on November 18^th against the Panthers. Neither team has played on each other's home arena since November 17^th, 2013, a 70-61 win by USI at the Sportscenter.  The two teams are starting a four-year agreement that will feature a visits from Southern Indiana in 2020 and 2022 seasons.  USI finished with a 26-9 record while marching all the way to the NCAA Final Four last season.

"Even though we are not competing for conference championships against one another anymore, this is still an important game," said Director of Athletics Rob Mallory. "Kentucky Wesleyan versus Southern Indiana is a significant rivalry in the history of Division II basketball, and I think we all recognized that it needs to continue. To not only lock that in for the next four years, but to get it back in our home arenas, is really exciting to us."
 
The Panthers' home opener is slated for November 16^th against Urbana. Wesleyan will also host Oakland City on the 20^th. Rounding out the month of November will be the traditional Thanksgiving Classic on the 29th and 30^th. Wesleyan will play host to Wheeling and Auburn Montgomery.
 
The first Great Midwest battle will take place on December 5^th at the Sportscenter against Ohio Dominican. The match up marks a five game homestand, concluding on December 22^nd with Lincoln Memorial.
 
The New Year will see the Panthers travel to North Canton, Ohio for match ups against Walsh and Malone on January 2^nd and 4^th. The month of February will only see the Panthers at the Sportscenter twice. Wesleyan will host Findlay and Hillsdale on the 6^th and 8^th.  
 
In total the Panthers will play 14 games at home with 12 contests on the road. Season ticket renewal information will go out the first week of September. Current season ticket holders will have an opportunity to reserve tickets for the game at USI when renewing their tickets. The USI athletic office will announce the availability of single-game tickets at a later date.