WEST HARTFORD, CONN. – Hartford men's basketball will play a 28-game schedule in 2022-23, highlighted by 15 home games, including an opponent from the 2022 Elite Eight, announced head coach John Gallagher Wednesday morning.

The schedule also notes holiday trips to Philadelphia, Penn. and San Francisco. These two trips feature three teams coming off bids to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

"We are very excited about our competitive schedule," Gallagher said. "This slate takes us to the historic Palestra in Philadelphia to compete in Penn's "Cathedral Classic".  It also takes us to San Francisco where we play 2022 NCAA Tournament participant, The University of San Francisco."

The season opens with two home games, including one against an in-state rival. The season opener will be 7 p.m. Nov. 8 when Sacred Heart enters Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavillion.

The home slate will bring numerous familiar faces, including in-state foe Central Connecticut State and former conference foe UMass-Lowell. Gallagher noted the importance of the fan's role, particularly in the season opener.

"We have scheduled fifteen home games this season, so we need the Reich Family Pavilion filled and loud," Gallagher said. "Our most important game is our first one because it sets the bar.  Sacred Heart visits us Tuesday, November 8, so please come out and cheer on our hard-working group.  With multiple veterans having played against Baylor in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, they have the experience to lead this energized team."

After the season opener, Hartford will host its second game Nov. 10 against NVU-Lyndon. The Hawks will travel to Saint Francis (PA) Nov. 12 and Boston University Nov. 17. before returning home for two games. Houghton and FDU-Florham will enter Chase Arena Nov. 19 and Nov. 22 respectively.

It is then off to The Palestra where the Hawks open the Cathedral Classic against Penn Nov. 26 for a post-Thanksgiving matchup. Hartford will face two 2022 NCAA Tournament teams in Delaware Nov. 27 and Colgate Nov. 28 to close out the holiday weekend.

Gallagher's crew will close out November on the month's final day when it arrives back at home to host Fairleigh Dickinson. The short homestand will also feature a game Dec. 4 against Brown.

After a road game Dec. 6 against St. Francis Brooklyn, the Hawks return home for a Dec. 13 affair against Saint Peter's, who advanced to the Elite Eight in 2022, and a matchup Dec. 17 against St. Francis Brooklyn.

Hartford will travel across the country for a Dec. 22 matchup against San Francisco before closing out 2022 at home Dec. 30 against Morgan State.

The Hawks will ring in 2023 with four consecutive road games. The road trip includes games against Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, UMBC and Morgan State.

It's home, sweet home for five consecutive games starting Jan. 23 when Penn arrives at Chase Arena. Division I newcomer Stonehill will come to Chase Arena Jan. 25 to close out the initial month of the year.

Hartford will host three games in five days starting with Chicago State Feb. 4. On Feb. 6, former conference foe UMass-Lowell enters Chase Arena. The homestand will come to a close Feb. 8 when Central Connecticut State makes the short trip North.

Two of Hartford's final three games will be on the road. South Alabama will welcome the Hawks Feb. 13 in Mobile, Ala. The Hawks will host Merrimack Feb. 16. The season will close Feb. 19 when Hartford travels to play Chicago State.