WSU’s basketball non-conference schedule is not finished – close, but not finished. Centenary’s is complete, so we now know the Gents (alma mater of Robert Parish) will play Nov. 24 at Koch Arena.
Centenary plays 12 of its first 13 games away from Shreveport, including a road trip that includes North Dakota State and South Dakota State. It plays at Mississippi State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Missouri and Oral Roberts.
Ouch. Feel free to insert your rant about how NCAA Division I is overstuffed with teams that don’t possess the resources necessary to compete. If you have to play that schedule, something is wrong. The Gents were 10-21 last season. Coach Greg Gary is in his first season, and let’s hope he has a long-term contract.
We also know WSU goes to Texas Tech on Dec. 3. The Old Spice Classic plays on Nov. 27, 28 and 30 in Florida. Centenary’s job is give the Shockers a little confidence going into a monster tournament – the field includes Gonzaga, Michigan State, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Siena, Maryland and Georgetown. Somewhere, WSU will fit in home games with UMKC and Northern Arizona. More to come.