Coach of the Year in MAAC last season, Kevin Baggett leads Rider into what he hopes will be an encore from last year's CBI appearance entering fourth year with Broncs. (Photo courtesy of The Associated Press)
Metro Atlantic Athletic conference teams, and even opponents outside the conference have learned one thing first and foremost since Kevin Baggett became a head coach in 2012: Do not sleep on Rider.
In only three years in Lawrenceville, Baggett has taken the Broncs to the No. 2 seed in the MAAC Tournament twice, staying within hailing distance of league powerhouses Iona and Manhattan, but ultimately not having a piece of the net to show for it.
With the majority of last year's squad, an outfit that overachieved enough for Baggett to be recognized as the MAAC's Coach of the Year, returning for the 2015-16 season, there is reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead for Rider, who Tuesday afternoon released a nonconference schedule that is equal parts challenging and conducive to early success.
The Broncs dive right in with a home game to open the season, welcoming Princeton to Alumni Gymnasium on Friday, November 13. Said Baggett of his team's battle with their local rival: "I think this has developed into a rivalry due to the proximity of the campuses. The fans can get into it and the players play against each other in the summer leagues, so they see it as a rivalry as well."
Four days later, Rider hits the road for the first time when they invade Tom Gola Arena to take on Atlantic 10 foe La Salle. The road trip continues with a journey to the Xfinity Center in College Park for a November 20 tilt against a Maryland team that could very well enter the season as the preseason No. 1 in the nation, and a surefire top five outfit.
The Terrapins will be the final tuneup for Rider before participating in the Cancun Challenge for the second time in program history. The Broncs will first take on Cleveland State on November 24 before a meeting with either South Dakota State or Houston Baptist the following day. Upon their return to the United States, Rider heads to the Ryan Center in Kingston on Sunday, November 29, squaring off against Dan Hurley and Rhode Island in a battle of two of the nation's best defenses.
The Broncs return home on December 8 following the opening weekend of MAAC play with a home game against Wagner, who returns the favor after hosting Rider in Staten Island last December. A two-game road swing follows, first to Charleston Southern, (December 12) then to Providence for a December 19 clash with Ed Cooley's Friars.
Rider concludes its non-league slate by returning the favor against Morgan State, who hosts the Broncs in Baltimore on December 23, before welcoming America East contender Hartford to Alumni Gymnasium on December 30. All tip times will be determined at a later date.
2015-16 Rider Broncs Nonconference Schedule
Friday, November 13: vs. Princeton
Tuesday, November 17: at La Salle
Friday, November 20: at Maryland
Tuesday, November 24: vs. Cleveland State (Cancun Challenge)
Wednesday, November 25: vs. South Dakota State or Houston Baptist (Cancun Challenge)
Sunday, November 29: at Rhode Island
Tuesday, December 8: vs. Wagner
Saturday, December 12: at Charleston Southern
Saturday, December 19: at Providence
Wednesday, December 23: at Morgan State
Wednesday, December 30: vs. Hartford
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