Eagles to face at least three NCAA tourney teams

Eastern Washington will face at least five teams that were national postseason participants last season to highlight the Eagles’ 2004-05 men’s basketball schedule.

At least three NCAA Tournament teams are on the schedule of the defending Big Sky champions: Washington, Gonzaga, Arizona and possibly Richmond. Wichita State and Boise State were in the NIT.

Eastern will play teams from 10 different conferences.

“We’re excited about a very challenging and competitive non-conference schedule that will hopefully help prepare us to defend our Big Sky Conference championship,” said new Eagles head coach Mike Burns in a press release. “Six of our opponents should be favored to win their respective conferences, and Gonzaga, Arizona and Washington will probably be ranked in the preseason Top 25.”

The Eagles will have 11 home games in Cheney with opponents including Idaho, Cascade, Cal State Fullerton and Denver, as well as seven conference games.

Eastern will also host Gonzaga on Dec. 21 at the Spokane Arena.

Eastern opens the season Nov. 20 at Wichita State (21-11 last year). Other highlights include a game in Seattle against Washington on Dec. 5 and appearances in the Fiesta Bowl Classic on Dec. 28 and 30, which is hosted by the University of Arizona.

The Eagles play the host Wildcats on Dec. 28, then will play either Butler or Richmond on Dec. 30. Last year the Wildcats were 20-10 and lost to Seton Hall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Richmond was 20-13 and lost to Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

Eastern lost to Oklahoma State in the NCAA Tournament to finish 17-13 last season under Ray Giacoletti, who is now coaching at Utah.