AUGUSTA, Ga. – Fifteen home dates, including a Feb. 13, 2010 nationally-televised matchup with Peach Belt Conference newcomer Montevallo, highlight the 2009-10 Augusta State men’s basketball schedule, Jaguar head coach Dip Metress officially announced Friday.

The Jaguars, who made their second consecutive Elite Eight appearance in 2008-09, return three starters and nine lettermen from a squad that posted a school-record 30 victories while capturing the PBC’s regular-season and tournament titles as well as the Southeast Regional Championship.

“We have once again put together an extremely daunting schedule,” said Metress, the 2009 Whack Hyder College Coach-of-the-Year in the State of Georgia. “The Peach Belt’s 18 games are always a grind and then, throw in the fact that our four non-league road games are all against teams that made postseason play last year. Also, for the first time in the history of Augusta State University, we will have a live national broadcast from our campus to showcase our university throughout the country.”

ASU’s nine non-conference opponents combined for a 167-107 (.609) record last season. In addition, six of the Jags’ non-conference opponents advanced to postseason play, while a total of nine teams on the 2009-10 schedule earned trips to their respective national tournaments (NCAA, NAIA and NCCAA). Eight of ASU’s 24 opponents eclipsed the 20-win mark in 2008-09.

The Jaguars make their debut on Wednesday, Nov. 4 with an exhibition vs. Aiken Tech in Christenberry Fieldhouse. After wrapping up its preseason schedule with an exhibition contest at SEC-member Alabama on Tuesday, Nov. 10, ASU will officially open the 2009-10 campaign on Sunday, Nov. 15 in Christenberry Fieldhouse against West Georgia.

The Jags then travel to Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 21 to take on Benedict, an NCAA Tournament participant in 2008-09, and face Life University on Thanksgiving eve in Marietta, Ga. After a six-year hiatus, the Runnin’ Eagles resurrected their nationally-prominent program and finished 23-11, advancing to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.

ASU opens the first of two three-game homestands with a matchup vs. Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday, Nov. 28. The Jags host Paine College on Thursday, Dec. 3 and kick off Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 5 vs. Armstrong Atlantic State.

The Jags’ home schedule also includes a Dec. 12 road tilt vs. Tusculum in Greeneville, Tenn. The contest will be a rematch of ASU’s dramatic 62-60 victory over the Pioneers in last March’s NCAA Tournament Southeast Regional semifinal in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Three home games highlight the holiday schedule for the Jags, who host Clayton State on Dec. 15, Emmanuel College on Dec. 19 and Mount Olive on Dec. 30. Emmanuel is coming off a 25-10 season that saw the Lions claim the national championship in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association).

ASU opens the 2010 portion of its schedule with a Jan. 2 showdown at USC Aiken in the Convocation Center before PBC newcomer Flagler makes its first visit to Christenberry Fieldhouse on Jan. 6. A Jan. 16 visit to Valdosta State closes out the non-conference schedule. The Blazers went 24-7 in 2008-09 and advanced to the second round of the South Regional in Lakeland, Fla.

The Jags play host to USC Aiken on Wednesday, Feb. 3 before entertaining NCAA Tournament participant Georgia College & State on Thursday, Feb. 11.

Two days later, the first live television event in Augusta State University history will take place at Christenberry Fieldhouse when ASU welcomes PBC newcomer Montevallo for Homecoming. CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV) will air the conference matchup live at 12:00 p.m., Eastern.

The Jags close out the regular season with Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Lander.

The Marvin Vanover Peach Belt Conference Tournament, named for the former PBC commissioner and ASU head basketball coach and athletic director, is slated for March 3-7 and will be played in Aiken, S.C., at the USCA Convocation Center.

To view the schedule, click HERE.