For the second consecutive year, Winthrop men’s basketball will open its season as part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon, facing Queens University on Monday at 9 a.m. at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.
The Eagles and Royals meet for the second straight season in the event, with Winthrop looking to extend its six-game winning streak in the series. The Eagles defeated Queens 81-74 in last year’s season opener and hold a 6-2 advantage in the all-time matchup.
Winthrop enters the season following back-to-back 23-win campaigns and consecutive appearances in the Big South Conference championship game. The Eagles were picked to finish third in the conference preseason poll.
Head coach Mark Prosser begins his sixth season at Winthrop with a 101-63 record. The Eagles return a roster featuring 11 newcomers, including four sophomore transfers, two junior transfers, four senior transfers and one freshman.
Redshirt sophomore guard Spence Sims, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, earned a spot on the Big South Preseason All-Conference Second Team.
Monday’s contest marks the earliest season opener in program history. Winthrop is 31-18 all-time in season openers and has won five of its last seven.
Fans can follow the game through live streaming on the Field of 68 YouTube channel or listen on 94.3 FM and WGNC AM 1450/101.1 FM.
Winthrop will host North Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 7, at noon for its home opener.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
