KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Saturday, November 6, 2021 will mark 611 days since the last time the Embry-Riddle men's basketball team took the floor for a game, but the Eagles will be more than ready as they will begin the 2021-22 season at the premier in-season basketball tournament in NCAA II, the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Hillyard. Head Coach Steve Ridder and his squad have been invited to the eight-team tournament which will be the fifth edition of the event first held in 2016.

The SCB National Hall of Fame Classic returns to the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri as Missouri Western serves as the tournament host. The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will be inducted on Nov. 5, 2021 prior to the tournament.

"We are extremely excited to be selected to participate in the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Classic," Ridder said. "Without a doubt, this event is recognized as the most prestigious in-season tournament within NCAA II basketball. It is an honor and privilege to participate and compete against some of the very best and successful basketball programs in the country. It will be a vey special student-athlete experience for our players and an opportunity that we are grateful to have."

The Eagles ended the 2019-20 season at 20-10 overall, earning their first-ever NCAA postseason bid before the national tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ERAU will square off against tournament host Missouri Western at 7:45 p.m. (CT) on Nov. 6 before taking on Alabama-Huntsville at  3:15 p.m. (CT) on Nov. 7.

"We want to especially thank John McCarthy for putting this tournament together and selecting Embry-Riddle as one of the participating teams," Ridder said. "John is a tremendous ambassador for the game of basketball and an ardent advocate of small college basketball across the country."

The full 2021-22 Blue and Gold slate will be announced at a later date.