CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte and Head Men's Basketball Coach Bart Lundy have completed the team's 2020-21 schedule with the addition of Belmont Abbey College and Bluefield State College as non-conference opponents. In addition to its 20-game South Atlantic Conference schedule, the Royals were allowed to add up to two non-conference opponents to this season's slate.
 
"In this very non-traditional season, we are excited to have the opportunity to compete in a safe environment," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Bart Lundy. "I applaud our conference for making a decisive move to start the season in November. We will play 22 games plus tournaments and we will follow all NCAA requirements to keep our student-athletes safe."
 
Queens and Belmont Abbey will face off for the third straight year on December 16 in Belmont, N.C. as the two programs have revived a rich history that has seen the Royals and Crusaders square off 49 total times since the 1990-91 season. Queens holds a decisive 31-18 advantage in the overall series, however, Belmont Abbey has been victorious in the last two meetings in 2018 and 2019.
 
Last season, the Crusaders finished 21-10 overall and 14-6 in Conference Carolinas, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional before the postseason was cut short due to COVID-19.
 
On January 30, 2021, Queens will host Bluefield State College in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Bluefield State, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, finished last year 13-12 overall and pulled off a first round upset in the USCAA Tournament.
 
Queens is slated to begin the 2020-21 season on Saturday, November 21 in Hickory, N.C. against Lenoir-Rhyne University. The home opener for the Royals is set for Saturday, Nov. 28 when the team hosts Mars Hill University inside Curry Arena.
 
In 2020-21, Queens returns two starters (Kenny Dye and Jamari Smith) and six letter winners (Jay'Den Turner, Gavin Rains, Mike Fowler, and Kayle Mason) from last year's team. The Royals also return redshirt-freshman guard AJ McKee and added 10 newcomers in the offseason. The class includes Division I transfer Quan McCluney, junior college transfers Malcolm Stevenson, Kavan Hill, Kelyn Pennie, and Jerrel Kelly, and freshmen Tristan Freeling, Josh Knox, Stephen Minor, Kalib Mathews, and Justin Thomas.