2019-2020 Men's Basketball Schedule

SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art University men's basketball and head coach Scott Waterman have announced the 29 game schedule for their 2019-2020 campaign. The schedule consists of 13 home games, a pair of tournaments, and seven non-conference contests. 

"When playing in a conference like the PacWest, you are going to be challenged," said Waterman. "It is important that we prepare with non-conference games that will simulate this. All of the teams on our non-conference slate are from the CCAA and are teams that can compete for top spots in their conference. These types of games will prepare us for the level of execution and how hard we will have to play to be one of the top teams in the PacWest."

The Urban Knights tip off on Nov. 8 against SF State at the PacWest/CCAA Challenge hosted by Dominican at the Conlan Recreation Center. The following day, ART U will conclude the tournament with another CCAA opponent, Sonoma State. On Nov. 12, the Knights take on Cal State East Bay in Hayward before taking part in the Cal State Monterey Bay Challenge. ART U starts the tournament with their first ever game against Cal State San Marcos before facing the hosting Sea Otters on Nov. 16. The Knights defeated CSUMB 75-72 in their most recent meeting on Nov. 13, 2015. 

"I really enjoy playing games in the classic tournament format as they simulate the conference championship where you have to play back to back nights without significant preparation time," said Waterman.

After a nine-day stretch without games, Academy of Art will play their first home game of the 2019-2020 season at historic Kezar Pavilion on Nov. 27 versus Chico State. The first PacWest conference game is on Dec. 5 against Fresno Pacific, who the Knights split with last year, but had a +17 point margin against. 

A final non-conference tuneup versus Cal State San Bernardino on Dec. 10 precedes PacWest play and kicks off a six-game homestand for ART U. Chaminade comes to town on Dec. 15, before the Urban Knights close out their 2019 with Dominican on Dec. 19 and Notre Dame de Namur on Dec. 21. The new year begins with the continuation of the homestand and a pair of tough southern California opponents, Azusa Pacific on Jan. 2 and Concordia on Jan. 4.

Academy of Art will cross the Bay Bridge on Jan. 7 to take on Holy Names, whom they have won four consecutive games against and eight of their last 10. The first SoCal road trip sees the Knights face Biola on Jan. 11 and the 2018-2019 PacWest Champions Point Loma on Jan. 13. Dominican, whom the Knights swept last season and in 2017-2018, host ART U on Jan. 17. Hawaii schools are next, as the Urban Knights play host to Hawaii Pacific on Jan. 19 before departing for the islands. 

First stop is Oahu, where ART U will take on perennial men's basketball powerhouse Chaminade on Jan. 27, before a rematch with Hawaii Pacific on Jan. 29. Last season, the Knights upset then ranked No. 12 CUH in their first meeting by a score of 71-69. Academy of Art closes their Hawaii trip with UH Hilo on Jan. 31 before returning to the mainland to face Fresno Pacific on Feb. 6 on Campus Safety Night at Kezar Pavilion. 

Two more games at home versus Holy Names on Feb. 13 and UH Hilo on Feb. 15 lead ART U into their final road trip to Southern California, where they will take on Azusa Pacific on Feb. 20 and Concordia on Feb. 22. The Urban Knights will return home for Senior Night versus Point Loma on Feb. 27 before their final regular season contest at Notre Dame de Namur on Feb. 29.

"In a conference like the PacWest, each night brings a different set of challenges," said Waterman. "All of the teams are extremely well coached and talented. Thus, we will need to be prepared on a nightly basis to execute our game plan and play Urban Knight basketball. We want to continually improve throughout the conference season so we are peaking in late January and February to make a run in the conference tournament."