OKLAHOMA CITY – The Mid-America Christian men's basketball team will be seeking its fifth straight bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament in the upcoming year as the Evangels have unveiled their 2022-23 schedule.
Last season, Mid-America Christian closed out the campaign with a 20-13 overall record, notching the program's sixth 20-plus win season in the last eight years.
"I am extremely excited about the opportunities that are in-front of with our schedule," said MACU head coach Josh Gamblin. "Four out of our six non-conference games are against teams that made it to the Sweet 16 in the NAIA last year, including the National Champions. We also play two very good NCAA Division I programs. Our hope is that our strength of schedule will prepare us for an extremely tough Sooner Athletic Conference."
The Evangels' schedule features 28 regular season games, 22 of which against SAC competition as a well as a pair of exhibition contests. For the second straight year, Mid-America Christian will be the host of the 2023 SAC Men's Basketball Championship with the event being held in the Gaulke Activity Center from Feb. 27-28.
MACU will open the season on the biggest stage as the Evangels will take on Kansas Christian on Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Paycom Center, the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip-off is tentatively scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
Two days later, the Evangels will play their home-opener as MACU hosts Ozark Christian for a 4 p.m. tip-off since the Gaulke Activity Center on Oct. 29.
The Evangels will start the month of November with a pair of exhibition contests against NCAA Division I foes as the MACU will head to Omaha, Neb. on Nov. 1 to take on Omaha before heading to San Marcos, Texas on Nov. 10 to challenge Texas State.
MACU opens SAC play on its home court as the Evangels face Langston at 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 17 before heading to McPherson, Kan. to challenge Central Christian on Nov. 19.
Mid-America Christian will have a quick turnaround as it will head to Panama City, Fla. to compete in the illustrious Battle at the Beach Tournament. The event will feature some of the top programs in the NAIA as the Evangels will open against the reigning NAIA National Champions in Loyola (La.) on Nov. 21 and will follow it up with Faulkner (Ala.) on Nov. 22 and LSU-Shreveport on Nov. 23.
The Evangels will wrap-up the regular season at home as MACU will host crosstown rival Oklahoma City for its Senior Day on Feb. 18. Tip-off is slated for 3:45 p.m.
