South Carolina men release non-conference schedule

Football might be the talk of the town right now, but don’t forget about hoops! Head coach Frank Martin announced the Gamecocks’ non-conference schedule for the 2018-19 season on Tuesday, and it’s 13-game stretch that includes some intriguing opponents and events. Here’s the full list:

• Oct. 26: Augusta University (exhibition)
• Nov. 6: USC Upstate
• Nov. 9: Stony Brook (Hall of Fame Tip-Off)
• Nov. 13: Norfolk State (Hall of Fame Tip-Off)
• Nov. 17: vs. Providence (Mohegan Sun Arena/Hall of Fame Tip-Off)
• Nov. 18: vs. George Washington/Michigan (Mohegan Sun Arena/Hall of Fame Tip-Off)
• Nov. 26: Wofford
• Nov. 30: Coastal Carolina
• Dec. 5: at Wyoming
• Dec. 8: at Michigan
• Dec. 19: Virginia
• Dec. 22: Clemson
• Dec. 31: North Greenville
• Jan. 26: at Oklahoma State (SEC/Big 12 Challenge)

The Gamecocks are back in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, and also participating in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament. But what really jumps out is a loaded December that features Michigan, last season’s national runners-up, and Virginia, another basketball power, before the Gamecocks play their annual rivalry matchup against Clemson. South Carolina has had some soft out-of-conference schedules in recent years, but Martin is clearly looking to step up the difficulty level. The Gamecocks will have the opportunity to pick up some resume-defining wins for potential NCAA Tournament consideration.