2020-21 Basketball Schedule
On Thursday the Ohio Valley Conference released its schedule for the 2020-21 season with an additional two conference games added to this year's slate. In addition to 20 OVC contests, EIU will play seven non-conference games starting at the Wisconsin and Milwaukee MTE event on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27.
Due to COVID-19 regulations in the State of Illinois, no spectators will be allowed to attend games at Lantz Arena this season. All homes games will be carried on ESPN+.
The NCAA season will start on Wednesday, Nov. 25 with the Panthers opening at Big Ten member Wisconsin, a team the Panthers faced last year in Madison. Two days later EIU will wrap up the MTE playing on Nov. 27 at Marquette. The season opening road trip concludes on Sunday with EIU facing Butler on Nov. 29 at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.
EIU opens December action with the first of two non-conference home games as the Panthers host Chicago State on Dec. 3. EIU will also face Western Illinois on newly named First Mid Court at Lantz Arena on Dec. 12. Sandwiched between those two home dates are the Panthers final non-conference games at Green Bay on Dec. 5 and Evansville on Dec. 9.
As part of the expanded 20-game OVC schedule, 18 of the conference games will fall on natural dates between Dec. 30 and Feb. 27. The two remaining games for each OVC school are against their travel partner in the league on dates to be mutually agreed upon. EIU's travel partner is SIUE with the Panthers traveling to SIUE on Dec. 21 and hosting the Cougars on Jan. 5.
On Dec. 30, EIU will play at Eastern Kentucky before ringing in the new year with six straight home games starting on Jan. 2 against Tennessee Tech. EIU also hosts SIUE, Murray State (Jan. 7), Austin Peay (Jan. 9), Morehead State (Jan. 14) and Eastern Kentucky (Jan. 16) in that long homestand.
Additional home dates for the Panthers include Belmont, Tennessee State, Southeast Missouri ad UT Martin.
EIU will play OVC contests on the road at Belmont, Tennessee State, UT Martin, Southeast Missouri, Jacksonville State, Tennessee Tech, Murray State and Austin Peay.
The 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament is scheduled for March 3-6 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
Since spectators are not allowed to attend home games at Lantz Arena this year, EIU Athletics is currently offering fans the opportunity to purchase cut outs that will be in the seats for the entire basketball and volleyball seasons.
To learn more and purchase your own fan cut out click here.
