SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kicking off the second season in The Summit League, conference officials alongside North Dakota Athletics have released the league slate for the upcoming men's basketball season.
 
The schedule, which features a total of 16 games, will see the Fighting Hawks play all eight league foes once in Grand Forks and once on the road. The top eight schools in the standings will then qualify for the 2020 Summit League Basketball Championships on March 7-10 in Sioux Falls.
 
"The rivalries in The Summit League have a long history with North Dakota Basketball, in particular the Dakota schools and Omaha," said men's basketball head coach Paul Sather. "It's been a fantastic league over the years and the familiarity of the schools with our fan base should create a lot of excitement during the conference season."
 
The conference slate officially takes hold for the green and white on Jan. 2 with UND making the trip to Denver, Colo. for a showdown against the Pioneers. Last season, the Hawks collected their first Summit League win in program history in Magness Arena, using a 51-27 run over 20 minutes of game time to post an 80-59 victory. The Pios will make the trek to Grand Forks on Jan. 23, as UND will look to sweep the season series for the second straight year.
 
North Dakota then returns home to face Purdue Fort Wayne on Jan. 5 as part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team. UND returns the trip to Fort Wayne, Ind. on Jan. 30 in hopes of making it two straight wins in Fort Wayne.
 
The first I-29 rival visits Grand Forks on Jan. 8, as UND battles Omaha. Last season, the Mavericks took all three games from the Hawks, including a thrilling 92-91 showdown at the Betty. The programs also met in the Summit League Quarterfinals, with Omaha holding on for an 81-76 victory. North Dakota will aim for its first win at Baxter Arena on Feb. 26, the penultimate game of the regular season.
 
Following the showdown against Omaha, the Fighting Hawks hit the road for three straight games beginning in Tulsa, Okla. against Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles return the visit to Grand Forks on Feb. 6.
 
Defending regular season champions South Dakota State awaits North Dakota on Jan. 15 from Frost Arena. The Jackrabbits swept the Hawks last season, but the two engaged in a back-and-forth affair at the Betty before SDSU came away with a 78-74 win. UND will host the Jacks on Feb. 19.
 
The first of two in-state battles with North Dakota State will be on Jan. 18 from Fargo before the Bison make the 75-mile trek up I-29 to Grand Forks on Feb. 22. The rivalry had a renewed feeling to it a season ago, as the two contests were separated by just a total of five points.
 
After a home contest against Denver, UND hosts Western Illinois on Jan. 25 and heads to Macomb, Ill. on Feb. 15. Last season, a late triple in front of a raucous crowd gave the Hawks the home victory against the Leathernecks before UND completed the season sweep in thrilling fashion as Marlon Stewart hit a pair of free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining.
 
UND's final I-29 rival, South Dakota, won't be seen on the slate until February, when the programs will meet twice in the final month of the season. The Hawks will have home court first on Feb. 8 before closing the regular season on Feb. 29 in Vermillion.
 
All dates listed are subject to change and times are all still to be announced. The television schedule with The Summit League nationally and regionally televised games will be unveiled as the season nears. The non-conference portion of North Dakota's schedule will be announced at a later date.
 
Season tickets for the entire North Dakota Basketball season are available now starting at just $160 for upper level seating and $220 for lower level. Tickets can be purchased at FightingHawks.com/tickets or in-person at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office.  
 
2019-20 North Dakota Summit League Schedule  
Jan. 2    at Denver
Jan. 5    vs. Purdue Fort Wayne
Jan. 8    vs. Omaha
Jan. 11  at Oral Roberts
Jan. 15  at South Dakota State
Jan. 18  at North Dakota State
Jan. 23  vs. Denver
Jan. 25  vs. Western Illinois
Jan. 30  at Purdue Fort Wayne
Feb. 6    vs. Oral Roberts
Feb. 8    vs. South Dakota
Feb. 15  at Western Illinois
Feb. 19  vs. South Dakota State
Feb. 22  vs. North Dakota State
Feb. 26  at Omaha
Feb. 29  at South Dakota