Razorbacks add 2 games, including season opener, to basketball schedule

North Dakota State head coach David Richman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ men’s basketball team has added two home games to the 2022-23 schedule, including its season opener.

The Razorbacks are scheduled to begin coach Eric Musselman’s fourth season with a game against North Dakota State on Monday, Nov. 7 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. They will also play North Carolina-Asheville at home on Wednesday, Dec. 21, according to game contracts obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Game times have not been determined.

There are seven known dates and four known opponents on Arkansas’ upcoming non-conference schedule. The Razorbacks are scheduled to play Oklahoma at BOK Center in Tulsa on Saturday, Dec. 10 and at Baylor on Saturday, Jan. 28 as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Arkansas will also play three games at the Maui Invitational in Hawaii from Nov. 21-23. The field includes Arizona, Cincinnati, Creighton, Louisville, Ohio State, San Diego State and Texas Tech, but matchups have not been announced.

North Dakota State is entering Year 9 under coach David Richman, who led the program to a 23-10 record and 13-5 mark in Summit League play last season.

The Bison return one double-figure scorer from 2021-22 in 6-11 forward Grant Nelson. He was third on the team in scoring a season ago at 11.6 points on 50.8% shooting, and he blocked a team-high 38 shots.

Boden Skunberg, a 6-5 junior guard, is the team’s No. 2 returning scorer at 5.9 points per game. He started 12 of 32 games played in 2021-22.

UNC-Asheville, a member of the Big South Conference, finished last season 17-15 overall and 8-8 in league games. The Bulldogs return four of their top-five scorers, including 6-10 forward Drew Pember, who averaged team-bests 15.7 points and 6.6 rebounds to go with 93 blocks.

Also returning is 6-5 guard Tajion Jones (12.8 points), 6-5 forward Jamon Battle (8.1) and 6-2 guard Trent Stephney (7.2) Jones made 83 three-pointers last season and hit 39.3% of his attempts, and Stephney led with 55 steals. He recorded 108 assists.

Arkansas has never played UNC-Asheville and is 1-0 all-time against North Dakota State.

Arkansas’ known 2022-23 schedule

Nov. 7 — North Dakota State (season opener)

Nov. 21 — Maui Invitational

Nov. 22 — Maui Invitational

Nov. 23 — Maui Invitational

Dec. 10 — Oklahoma (Tulsa)

Dec. 21 — UNC-Asheville

Jan. 28 — at Baylor (Big 12/SEC Challenge)