BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb released its 2013-2014 men's basketball schedule Tuesday, with the season opener set for Friday, November 8 at Xavier.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will face their usual difficult menu of non-conference opponents, with road games at major conference opponents Xavier (Nov. 8), Missouri (Nov. 23), Northwestern (Nov. 25), Duke (Dec. 16) and Georgia (Dec. 19).

The Missouri and Northwestern games will be played as part of the Las Vegas Invitational, with both games played on those schools' respective home court. Gardner-Webb will close out that event in Las Vegas, taking on IUPUI and either Chattanooga or Morehead State at the Orleans Arena. GWU will play IUPUI on Thanksgiving Day.

The Duke game will be televised on ESPNU.

Gardner-Webb also has a solid slate of regional games out of conference, traveling to Furman (Nov. 12) and The Citadel (Dec. 7) and hosting Jacksonville (Nov. 16) and Wofford (Dec. 4). GWU will also travel to Delaware State on January 2 for a return game from the 2012 BracketBusters win over the Hornets.

"We have some exciting match ups in store this season for our fans, and look forward to a challenging schedule overall," said Gardner-Webb head coach Tim Craft. "The Big South Conference remains a very strong league and I have great respect for the programs throughout both divisions."

Big South Conference play opens in early January, with home games against South Division foes UNC Asheville (Jan. 8) and Coastal Carolina (Jan. 11). Gardner-Webb's home games against the North Division this season include Campbell (Jan. 25), VMI (Feb. 5) and defending division champion High Point (Feb. 8).

Gardner-Webb's first home game will be Saturday, November 16 against Jacksonville.

The Runnin' Bulldogs arrived back on campus Tuesday in advance of Wednesday classes. GWU welcomes back three starters from last year's 21-win season, led by leading returning scorer Donta Harper (6-6, 210, Jr.), leading returning rebounder Jerome Hill (6-5, 215, So.) and leading assist man Tyler Strange (5-10, 180, Jr.).

The Runnin' Bulldogs also welcome back seasoned backcourt performers Jarvis Davis (6-0, 185, RJr.), Isaiah Ivey (6-2, 190, So.) and experienced big men Corey Hensley (6-8, 220, Jr.), Onzie Branch (6-6, 215, Sr.) and Mike Byron (6-10, 240, Sr.).

Newcomers Naji Hibbert (6-6, 190, Sr.), Tyrell Nelson (6-7, 235, Fr.), Josh Castellanos (6-1, 185, Gr.), Logan Stumpf (6-6, 190, RFr.)and Donnell Tuff (6-6, 215, Fr.) are expected to add firepower immediately to the rotation.

2013-2014 Men's Basketball Schedule
Nov. 8, at Xavier
Nov. 12, at Furman
Nov. 16, JACKSONVILLE
Nov. 19, ALLEN
Nov. 23, at Missouri
Nov. 25, at Northwestern
Nov. 28, vs. IUPUI (Orleans Arena, Las Vegas)
Nov. 29, vs. Chattanooga OR Morehead State (Orleans Arena, Las Vegas)
Dec. 4, WOFFORD
Dec. 7, at The Citadel
Dec. 14, CLEARWATER CHRISTIAN
Dec. 16, at Duke (ESPNU)
Dec. 19, at Georgia
Dec. 21, HIWASSEE
Jan. 2, at Delaware State
Jan. 8, UNC ASHEVILLE *
Jan. 11, COASTAL CAROLINA *
Jan. 15, at Winthrop *
Jan. 18, at Presbyterian *
Jan. 22, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN *
Jan. 25, CAMPBELL *
Jan. 29, at Longwood *
Feb. 1, at Radford *
Feb. 5, VMI *
Feb. 8, HIGH POINT *
Feb. 11, at Liberty *
Feb. 15, at Coastal Carolina *
Feb. 19, PRESBYTERIAN *
Feb. 22, WINTHROP *
Feb. 26, at Charleston Southern *
Mar. 1, at UNC Asheville *