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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will host 17 games, the most in program history, and travel to perennial top-25 teams Pittsburgh and Maryland in 2009-10 as announced by head coach Jeff Neubauer Tuesday.

“We have a veteran nucleus that competed well last year,” Neubauer said. “This season, we will rely heavily on those young men who played significant roles in our program one year ago. We are also excited to host a pod in the 2009 CBE Classic. It’s a credit to the program and University to host an event like this one.”

Eastern’s first game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14 against West Virginia Wesleyan in McBrayer Arena. The Colonels were 12-2 at home one season ago, marking the fourth time in the last six years that EKU has totaled at least 10 home victories.

Following a trip to Pitt, a team that reached the 2009 Elite Eight, on Nov. 19, Eastern Kentucky returns home to host the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic pod from Nov. 23-25. McBrayer Arena will host doubleheaders for three consecutive nights featuring EKU, Fairleigh Dickinson, UC Irvine and UTSA in a round-robin format.

On Saturday, Nov. 28, the Colonels welcome FIU and new head coach Isaiah Thomas to McBrayer Arena.

The other marquee non-conference games include road trips to Maryland on Dec. 12, Ohio on Dec. 19 and Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 29-30 for the Dr. Pepper Classic. Long Island, Morgan State and host Chattanooga are the other teams expected to compete in the Dr. Pepper Classic. On Feb. 20, Eastern will host an ESPNU BracketBusters game for the third straight year.

Eastern Kentucky tips off the 18-game OVC schedule on Dec. 3 at Murray State. The Colonels host rival and defending OVC tournament champion Morehead State on Jan. 23. The OVC tournament will once again include only the top eight teams and begin on March 2. The Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., will host the OVC tournament semifinals (March 5) and championship game (March 6).

EKU concluded the 2008-09 season 18-13 overall and 10-8 in the OVC. The Colonels have posted double-figure league victories five consecutive years. Only Murray State (six) has a longer active streak.