Coming off its historic Elite Eight appearance, Baylor has set a 2010-11 nonconference men’s basketball schedule that features 10 home games, a date against Gonzaga at the American Airlines Center and a Christmas trip to Hawaii.

The Bears could face six teams that played in either the NCAA or NIT tournaments last season. They could potentially face NCAA tournament runner-up Butler in the Diamond Head Classic Dec. 22-25 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Bears will open the regular season against Grambling State at home Nov. 12. They will play a record-tying 18 games at the Ferrell Center after the 16-game Big 12 schedule is released at a later date.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew (left front) celebrates his 100th career win last season.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

“Over the last few years, we’ve had a great homecourt advantage at the Ferrell Center,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “Our nonconference schedule over the last two years has not only prepared us for the rigorous Big 12 slate, but the quality of those teams has helped our RPI and bolstered our postseason resume.”

Baylor’s only nonconference home game against an NCAA tournament opponent will be Jan. 4 against Morgan State. The Bears will host Arizona State, which made the NIT last year, on Dec. 2 in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

Baylor’s Dec. 18 date against Gonzaga at the American Airlines Center will be one of the marquee games on the schedule. Under coach Mark Few, Gonzaga has become a perennial NCAA tournament team.

“Playing Gonzaga at the American Airlines Center is a great opportunity for both our team and our fan base,” Drew said. “Our players are excited about playing in front of our fans at the AAC. Last time we played there, it was a great atmosphere (a loss to Arkansas in 2008).”

The field for the Diamond Head Classic has been set with Baylor, Butler, Florida State, Hawaii, Mississippi State, San Diego, Utah and Washington State. Florida State made the NCAA tournament last season, and Mississippi State made the NIT.

The schedule for the Hawaii tournament, which will be televised on the ESPN family of networks, hasn’t yet been set. But it would be an intriguing matchup if Baylor plays Butler since Drew graduated from the Indianapolis school.

“The ESPN tournaments that we’ve played in have provided a great amount of positive exposure for Baylor,” Drew said. “Our players, staff and fans will be thrilled to be part of such an amazing event.”

jwerner@wacotrib.com

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BAYLOR MEN’S 2010-2011
NONCONFERENCE BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

* Exhibition game; # at American Airlines Center