CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte head men's basketball coach Grant Leonard is excited to announce the 2023-24 schedule on Thursday afternoon. The non-conference slate features 15 games, including six inside Curry Arena before opening up ASUN play. The Royals will square off against rivals from the ACC, Sun Belt, Missouri Valley, Big South, Colonial, MAAC, and NEC conferences.
 
"Our non-conference schedule is dominated by regional opponents that should really interest our fan base, especially at home," said Coach Leonard. "Overall, we are playing a more challenging schedule than last year which should prepare us for league play and get us primed for a great second year in Division 1."
 
The Royals will open the season with a pair of road games beginning on Monday, November 6^th at Marshall University. Last season, the Royals upended the Herd in their first Division 1 game on a final shot from Kenny Dye in front of a rocking Curry Arena. Queens will remain on the road when they head to Southern Illinois for their first-ever meeting with the Saluki's on November 10^th.
 
Queens will return back to the Queen City for a midweek matchup with in-state foe High Point on November 14^th. The Royals toppled the Panthers inside the Millis Center last season 87-79 improving to 5-3 all-time dating back to 1995. After the midweek showdown, Queens will head north for a multi-team event hosted by Drexel University over the weekend. The Royals will face Fairfield University on November 18^th before meeting Drexel on Sunday, November 19^th. 
 
The return to Charlotte will be a big one as the Royals preview Thanksgiving by welcoming Fairleigh Dickinson University on November 22^nd. The Knights are now led by former Queens assistant coach Jack Castleberry and they are coming off an impressive March Madness appearance which featured a first-round victory over No. 1-seeded Purdue. Last season, the Royals took down the Knights in New Jersey 82-73 improving to 10-3 in their first Division 1 season.
 
Following Thanksgiving, the Royals will head to the Robins Center for their first-ever meeting with the University of Richmond on November 25^th. In 2021-22, the Spiders won the Atlantic 10 Championship before upsetting fifth-seeded Iowa in the big dance. Queens will return home and gear up for a showdown with Gardner-Webb on November 29^th which will mark the beginning of a four-year series with the Runnin' Bulldogs. The two programs have not met in the regular season since November 18, 1995, when the Royals emerged victorious 76-62.
 
Queens will open December on the first with a game against Carolina Christian inside Curry Arena before heading to Winthrop on December 5^th to face the Eagles. The Battle for I-77 will continue after a 13-year drought dating back to 2010. The two programs have duked it out in their five meetings as the margin of victory has been less than 10 points in every meeting.
 
With the non-conference slate winding down, the Royals will return home for a meeting with Carolina University on December 9^th. Queens will wrap up their home non-conference schedule on December 13^th when Appalachian State makes the trip down from Boone.
 
The final stretch of December will provide a test for the Royals before heading into league action with three road outings. Queens will square off against Mercer on the road on December 19^th before challenging a pair of ACC foes. The Royals will head to Clemson on December 22^nd for their first meeting with the Tigers. Queens will wrap up the year and their non-conference slate at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 30^th against the five-time national champions from Duke.
 
The Royals will then get into ASUN action which features 16 contests, including eight inside Curry Arena. Queens will get ASUN play underway on Saturday, January 6^th at Kennesaw State. The Royals and Owls met three times last season with KSU holding a 2-1 advantage. Queens spoiled the Owls perfect record at home with an 83-76 victory on February 18^th before falling in the ASUN Tournament Quarterfinals 77-76 the following week.
 
In league action, the Royals will play home-and-home games with Kennesaw State, FGCU, Stetson, North Florida, and Jacksonville. Additionally, the Royals will welcome Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, and Bellarmine to Charlotte while traveling to North Alabama, Austin Peay, and Lipscomb for their only meetings.
 
Fans can access the entire 2023-24 schedule by visiting the Queens Athletics website. Season tickets are on sale now so be sure to secure those today by visiting the main athletics page. Fans should stay tuned for more information on single-game ticket opportunities.
 
The Royals' success in their inaugural Division 1 season came from a significant number of players who will be returning. AJ McKee was one of the most consistent performers for Queens reaching double figures in 31-of-33 games and being named ASUN Third Team All-Conference. The Charlotte native averaged 15.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game as he was top 10 in the ASUN in scoring. Prior to going down with a season-ending injury, Gavin Rains led the league in rebounds bringing down 10.2 boards per game. BJ McLaurin, Kalib Mathews, and Chris Ashby are also key returners for the Royals as the trio averaged 23.2 minutes, 8.3 points, and 2.9 rebounds per game.
 
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