THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The anticipation continues to build as the start of Thomas University Men's basketball season inches closer.  On Thursday, the program released its schedule for the upcoming season, featuring 27 opponents.
 
This season's slate will include a SUN Conference schedule that returns to a double round-robin format, featuring 16 games.  The Night Hawks will also face six opponents from the Southern States Athletic Conference, playing three of them twice.  Thomas will have only one NCAA opponent this year, as the contest will be played in exhibition format.
 
Thomas is scheduled to open the season on the road, travelling to Mount Vernon, Ga. to play Brewton-Parker College on October 26th.  Later that weekend, the Night Hawks will return to Marietta, Ga. for the Running Eagles Classic, hosted by Life University.  TU will play the host squad on Friday night (October 29) before facing Dalton State the next day.  The Green & White will also make a return trip to Middle Georgia State on November 2nd for a weeknight showdown.
 
TU's home opener starts a five-game home stand for the Night Hawks, as the Night Hawks rematch against BPC on November 8.  Three days later, Thomas will begin its SUN Conference slate with the defending tournament champions in Keiser.  The Night Hawks face its second SSAC rematch in Middle Georgia State before facing a pair of conference foes in Ave Maria and Southeastern.
 
For Thanksgiving this year, the Night Hawks travel to Waleska, Ga. to participate in the classic hosted by Reinhardt.  There, TU will face William Carey on November 26 before taking on Mobile the next day.  Thomas will play three games in a four-day span, finishing with a road contest against Faulkner on the 29th. 
 
The Night Hawks resume SUN Conference action in Miami Gardens, Fla. the first weekend of December, facing Florida Memorial on December 2nd and St. Thomas on the 4th.
 
One week later, 2021's portion of the schedule will conclude with a non-conference home finale with a Faulkner rematch before heading an hour north to Albany, Ga. December 17th to play an exhibition contest against Albany State.
 
Thomas begins the New Year with its annual trip to Lake Wales, Fla. January 6th to face Warner before quickly returning home to battle the Warriors of Webber International two days later.  TU will conclude the first round-robin of conference a week later when the team travels to Brunswick, Ga. to take on Coastal Georgia.
 
January 15th's contest against the Mariners kicks off a four-game road tour for the Night Hawks, travelling to West Palm Beach, Fla. for its second, annual match against the Keiser Seahawks before taking on Southeastern at The Furnace and the Gyrenes of Ave Maria at the Golisano Fieldhouse.
 
February's schedule portion keeps the Night Hawks at home for four of the final, five regular-season games, starting with St. Thomas and Florida Memorial.  Warner will make its yearly trip up to the Rose City February 10th before the Night Hawks travel down to Babson Park, Fla. for Webber International.  TU closes out the regular season with its February 19th game against Coastal Georgia.
 
The annual Sun Conference Basketball tournament is scheduled to begin February 23rd with the Quarterfinals round, hosted by the higher seeds, followed by the Final Four on the 25th and the 26th that will be hosted by the SUN Conference's regular-season champion.
 
Following the conference tournament, the 84th annual NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament will be held in Kansas City, MO, beginning the weekend of March 11th with the Opening Rounds.  The Round of 16 Bracket is scheduled to commence the week of March 17-22.
 
Thomas looks to improve on a rebuilding season from last year, finishing 10-17 and a making a trip to the SUN Conference tournament.
 
Fans can access the full schedule by clicking HERE.
 
For up-to-date information on schedules and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU men's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMBKB.