The Eastern men’s basketball team will open its season on the road against the runner-up from the NCAA men’s basketball championship, Texas Tech, Tuesday Nov. 5, according to the Texas Tech website.

While the Red Raiders lost some of their firepower from last season’s tournament run, namely Jarrett Culver, they remain a big challenge for Eastern to overcome this upcoming season.

One of the key players for Texas Tech’s run in the tournament, Davide Moretti, is returning this year, after averaging 11.5 points per game (second-highest on the team) last season.

Eastern’s opening week of games will not get any easier, as the team, after opening the season at Texas Tech, travels to Madison to face Wisconsin Friday, Nov. 8, according to Wisconsin’s website.

The Badgers also had a great year this past season, finishing the campaign 23-11 overall while also advancing to the Big Ten conference semifinals before losing to Michigan State.

Wisconsin also secured a five seed in the NCAA tournament, but lost in the first round to 12th-seeded Oregon in the first round.

The Badgers are returning its second and third-leading scorers from last year, D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison, who averaged 11.6 and 10.5 points per game respectively last season.

Both Texas Tech and Wisconsin finished in the top 10 in the NCAA for scoring defense last season.

Texas Tech was third in the nation, allowing opponents to average just 59.5 points per game, while Wisconsin was ninth, allowing opponents to average only 61.7 points per game, according to the NCAA website.

The times for both games are yet to be announced, as is Eastern’s schedule.

If the weight of the schools’ names and prestige was not enough, these numbers could be particularly concerning for Eastern, as the team averaged 71.8 points per game, which was 10th in the OVC, according to the conference website.

Eastern is no stranger to facing “big-time” schools.

Last season, Eastern opened the schedule at Texas, eventually facing Iowa State as well, losing both contests.

Dillan Schorfheide can be reached at 581-2812 or dtschorfheide@eiu.edu.