BYU basketball: BYU releases non-conference schedule

PROVO — BYU released its 2012-13 non-conference men's basketball schedule Wednesday, which has the Cougars starting out the season in a tournament whose cause is close to coach Dave Rose's heart. BYU's first four games will be part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, which concludes Nov. 17 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Cougars host Southeast Oklahoma State on Oct. 26 and Findlay on Nov. 3 in two exhibition games before squaring off against Tennessee State (Nov. 9) and Georgia State (Nov. 13) at home to begin the regular season and Coaches vs. Cancer tournament play. They then head to Brooklyn to play in the Classic semifinals, which includes St. Joseph's, Notre Dame and Florida State on Nov. 16 and 17.

On Dec. 1, the Cougars will play their first true road game at Iowa State. The next three games will involve matchups against in-state rivals Utah State (Dec. 5), Utah (Dec. 8) and at Weber State (Dec. 15).

The schedule includes two games played at EnergySolutions Arena (Montana on Nov. 28 and Virginia Tech on Dec. 29.) The Cougars will play their third and final non-conference road game at Baylor on Dec. 21.

"We have a nice balance of home, road and neutral games in our non-conference schedule that will prepare us for conference play and the postseason," said Rose in a released statement. "We have two in-state games at home, we have two quality opponents for the EnergySolutions games and the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic will be a great experience for our team. Our players and coaching staff are really looking forward to the upcoming season."

The Cougar tipoff will be on Oct. 24 at the Marriott Center.

2012-13 Nonconference Schedule

Oct. 24 Cougar Tipoff

Oct. 26 Southeast Oklahoma State^

Nov. 3 Findlay^

Nov. 9 Tennessee State*

Nov. 13 Georgia State*

Nov. 16 Florida State, Notre Dame, Saint Joseph's* at Brooklyn, N.Y.

Nov. 17 Florida State, Notre Dame, Saint Joseph's* at Brooklyn, N.Y.

Nov. 21 UT San Antonio

Nov. 24 Cal State Northridge

Nov. 28 Montana@

Dec. 1 at Iowa State

Dec. 5 Utah State

Dec. 8 Utah

Dec. 15 at Weber State

Dec. 18 Eastern New Mexico

Dec. 21 at Baylor

Dec. 27 Northern Arizona

Dec. 29 Virginia Tech@

^ Exhibition Game

* Coaches vs. Cancer Classic

@ at EnergySolutions Arena