DALTON, Ga. - Dalton State Men's Basketball Coach Alex Ireland has released the 2023-24 Roadrunner basketball schedule. The schedule consists of 14 home games, 12 road games, and 3 neutral site contests. This season marks a momentous return to Death Valley 30720 as Bandy Gymnasium becomes the permanent home for Roadrunner basketball. The full schedule can be viewed here.
 
"We're really excited about our roster and schedule, but we are most ecstatic about playing all of our home games at Bandy Gymnasium," said Coach Ireland. "Our schedule is tough from top to bottom with some tough opponents at home and on the road. I believe our students and fans will be happy watching our team play on campus against the best teams in the country."
 
The Blue and White game returns this season and will occur on October 21. The regular season begins one week later on Saturday, October 28^, when Bryan (Tenn.) visits the newly renovated Bandy Gym. Two days later, on October 30, Tennessee Wesleyan comes to town for the first time. The matchup between the Roadrunners and Bulldogs happened during the inaugural season of Dalton State basketball when TWU defeated DS 89-87 in Athens, Tenn., on a buzzer-beater.
 
Coastal Georgia and Keiser (Fla.) are up next on November 3 and 4 at a neutral site in Montgomery, Ala., for the SSAC/SUN Challenge. The Birds went 1-1 in the tournament last season and will get a rematch with Keiser, whom they defeated.
 
An exciting game dots the calendar on Tuesday, November 7, as Dalton State travels to Cullowhee, N.C., for an exhibition against SOCON member Western Carolina. The last neutral site game of the regular season happens on Friday, November 10, as the Roadrunners head to Mount Vernon to meet Florida National. The game will happen on the campus of Brewton-Parker (Ga.), who will take on the Conquistadors one day later.
 
Conference play begins on Thursday, November 16, at Bandy Gym when Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) visits Dalton. New conference member Point (Ga.) travels North for the first time to face the Roadrunners on Saturday, November 18.
 
Dalton State hits the road on Tuesday, November 21, for a non-conference matchup against Cumberlands (Ky.) before a post-Thanksgiving date with Brewton-Parker (Ga.) at home on Saturday, November 25. A trip to Mississippi to finish the season series with Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) follows on November 30 as a date with William Carey (Miss.) looms next on December 2.
 
Two days later, on December 4, the Roadrunners host Voorhees (S.C.) before a break for final exams. Basketball kicks back up on Saturday, December 16, with a home game against Life (Ga.). Another tough non-conference game occurs on Tuesday, December 19, when perennial power Pikeville (Ky.) comes to town with a special afternoon start time of 2:00 p.m.
 
DS finishes out 2023 with a trip to Pulaski, Tenn., and a matchup with UT Southern as the Fire Hawks re-join the SSAC. The Birds open the new year traveling to New Orleans, La., for a game against 2022 National Champion Loyola (La.). A special start time also graces this stop, as tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (CT).
 
The first of two games against Faulkner happens in Dalton on Saturday, January 6, with Stillman (Ala.) waiting in the wings in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Wednesday, January 10. The Birds will be on the road again on Saturday, October 13 for a matchup with Middle Georgia State.

January 20 will see Dalton State host William Carey (Miss.) before two road games at Point (Ga.) (January 27) and Brewton-Parker (Ga.) (January 31) to close out the month of January. The calendar turns to February and the home stretch of the regular season with a home game against UT Southern on Saturday, February 3.
 
Loyola (La.) makes their return visit to Dalton on Thursday, February 8, and then the Roadrunners travel to Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, February 10, to take on Faulkner (Ala.). Home games are capped off against Stillman (Ala.) on February 14 and Middle Georgia State on February 17, with the season finale at Life (Ga.) on Saturday, February 24.
 
Post-season play begins with the SSAC Championship at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex February 28-March 2. The NAIA Tournament 1^st and 2^nd Rounds will be held at neutral site locations on March 15-16, with the final teams traveling to Kansas City, Mo., for the final site on March 21-26.
 
SEASON AND SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Season tickets for all Roadrunner basketball games can be purchased at https://dsroadrunners.com/sports/2021/2/3/hometown-ticketing.aspx for $150. Single-game tickets are $15 for reserved section or $5 for general admission and can be purchased online before the game or at the gate.

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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's men's basketball team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on Twitter (@DStateBBall), Facebook (@DStateBasketball) and Instagram (dstatebball). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
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