Merrimack Men’s Basketball Unveils 2011-12 Schedule

Led by head coach Bert Hammel, who will enter his 32nd year at the Warriors announced the 2011-12 men’s basketball schedule.

After opening at the Bentley Tip Off Classic for the second straight year against Bloomfield and Felician on November 11 and 12, Merrimack returns home for four straight games before the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Warriors open conference action against Franklin Pierce on November 16, before hosting regional foes Holy Family and Philadelphia on Nov. 18 and 20. Rival Bentley heads to North Andover on Nov. 22 for a 7:30 p.m. tip.

Hammel’s squad will play just two games at home from Nov. 22 to Jan. 14 while visiting Stonehill, Saint Anselm, Saint Michael’s, Southern New Hampshire, New Haven and Le Moyne over that span.

In late January, Merrimack will host perennial powers Saint Rose and Assumption on Jan. 17 and 28 before visiting the defending conference champion Bentley on Jan. 31.

The Warriors conclude the regular season with four home games in February compared to just two on the road. Merrimack hosts Stonehill and Saint Anselm in what will be two big conference showdowns on February 4 and 8, before visiting cross town rival UMass Lowell, who eliminated Merrimack from playoff contention, on Feb. 11.

Southern New Hampshire visits Merrimack on Feb. 18 for Senior Day, while the Warriors conclude the regular season at Franklin Pierce on Feb. 22.

Merrimack finished in a tie for 10th place last season with a 13-14 overall record, 9-13 in the conference, seeing a streak of three straight seasons in the NCAA Tournament snapped.

Led by seniors Wayne Mack of Paterson, N.H., Roland Davis of Deer Park, N.Y., and Aaron Strothers of Wareham. Merrimack will look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in school history.