2021-22 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - One of the most anticipated seasons in Embry-Riddle men's basketball history is set to begin in a little over three months. The last time Head Coach Steve Ridder's squad stepped on the court for an actual contest was March 5, 2020, just prior to the 2020 NCAA II National Tournament being canceled. The Eagles were slated to make their NCAA Tournament debut on March 14, 2020 after the program's best season since joining the NCAA and Sunshine State Conference, and will look to qualify for their second-straight NCAA Tournament this coming season.

"Without question, this schedule will be as challenging as any we've had in our history," Ridder, entering his 33rd season at Embry-Riddle, said. The Eagles will play four games in the first three weeks of the season against teams that ended the 2020-21 season nationally ranked, all of them away from home; and that's not including any Sunshine State Conference teams. The league only had a handful of teams compete last season and none reached the minimum games threshold to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Embry-Riddle opens the season on a big stage, competing in the 2021 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic in St. Joseph, Missouri. The Blue and Gold will take on host school Missouri Western State on Nov. 6 before a major matchup versus 2020-21 Gulf South Conference regular season champ and 12th-ranked Alabama-Hunstville on Nov. 7.

"We're honored to be invited to the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic," Ridder said. "Some of the very best teams in the country at the Division II level will be there, including the defending national champs (Northwest Missouri State) and three other NCAA II Tournament teams from last season (UAH, Northern State, St. Thomas Aquinas). We are also excited to participate in some of the outstanding activities associated with the tournament, including the induction ceremony of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020."

Following the Eagles' trip to the Show-Me State, they'll head down to West Palm Beach to play in the GSC-SSC Classic (Nov. 12-13), hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic. The Eagles are 4-0 so far against West Georgia and Lee in the last two iterations of the Classic, but both teams are coming off their best campaigns in recent memory as both qualified for the NCAA II Tournament a year ago with each winning a game to advance to the round of 32.

The Blue and Gold will play in the ICI Center for the first time in 629 days when they return home to host the 2021 Bahama House Shootout from Nov. 19-20. ERAU will take on Spring Hill and Auburn Montgomery, while Flagler is the other team in the tournament. The Eagles and Saints will get a good luck at each other prior to their matchup in St. Augustine on Nov. 23. The Saints reached the NCAA II semifinals a year ago, and will enter the 2021-22 season as the favorites in the Peach Belt Conference.

ERAU will get a final non-conference tune-up against Florida National on Nov. 27 before jumping into SSC play at Rollins on Dec. 1. ERAU takes on Saint Leo (Dec. 4) and Tampa (Dec. 11) before the Holiday Break.

Embry-Riddle will make its third-ever trip to Hawaii in December, playing in the Hoops in Hawaii Classic (Dec. 17-19) against a pair of opponents that have yet to be determined. ERAU also competed in Hawaii in 2000 and 2005, and is 3-1 all-time in the Aloha State.

After returning from Hawaii, ERAU will run full force into the bulk of the league schedule, starting with a pair of road games against Florida Tech and Nova Southeastern.

The Eagles host Florida Southern (Jan. 5) and Barry (Jan. 8) in the ICI Center before a game at Eckerd (Jan. 12). PBA comes to Daytona on Jan. 15 before the Eagles go to Lynn (Jan. 19), and then host three straight SSC opponents at home in Rollins (Jan. 26), Saint Leo (Jan. 29) and Florida Tech (Feb. 2).

The final stretch of the regular season begins at Tampa (Feb. 5) and then home against Lynn (Feb. 9). Palm Beach Atlantic (Feb. 12) will host the Eagles before Eckerd (Feb. 16) comes to the ICI Center. 

Embry-Riddle plays its final two regular season road games at Barry (Feb. 19) and Florida Southern (Feb. 23) and will wrap up the regular season at home versus Nova Southeastern (Feb. 26).

"Our goal is to provide the very best student-athlete experience, and to give our guys a schedule that will challenge them at the highest level," Ridder said. "We have a learning and growing experience ahead of us. We have the potential to become a championship-caliber team, and we are so excited to get this season rolling."

Men's Basketball Season Tickets go on sale Aug. 2, 2021

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The 2021-22 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball season is presented by Daytona Kia.