OMAHA, Neb. -- The Omaha men's basketball program has released its 2015-16 season schedule, head coach Derrin Hansen announced Wednesday. The 2015-16 season will be Omaha's first with full eligibility for Summit League and NCAA postseason play. The Mavericks' upcoming regular-season slate comprises 30 games, including 13 home contests at Baxter Arena, the new 7,500-seat, on-campus venue under construction at 67th and Center Streets.

“Baxter Arena will be a tremendous place to call home, where our students and fans can enjoy an incredible gameday atmosphere right on campus,” Hansen said. “It's already made a huge difference for our program before we've even played a game. Recruits are impressed by the facility, it has excitement among our fanbase at an all-time high, and our team can't wait to play its first game there.”

Omaha makes its debut with a three-game homestand at Baxter Arena, hosting UC Santa Barbara (Nov. 13), St. Mary's of Minnesota (Nov. 15) and UMKC (Nov. 17) over five days. From there, the Mavericks undertake a challenging three-game road swing at Colorado (Nov. 22), Northern Colorado (Nov. 25) and Minnesota (Nov. 27).

On Dec. 1, the Mavs return home for Eastern Michigan before hitting the road again for stops at Montana State (Dec. 6), Missouri (Dec. 9) and Grand Canyon (Dec. 13), the last of which is part of the Global Sports Classic multi-team event. UNO's final non-conference home game comes Dec. 16 against Simpson College, followed by a trip to Wyoming (Dec. 19), which is also part of the Global Sports Classic. The Mavericks close the tournament with two games in Las Vegas, facing Eastern Illinois (Dec. 21) and Southern or North Carolina Central (Dec. 22).

"The non-conference schedule we've put together is the most challenging we've ever had," Hansen said. "We're facing steep competition before conference play begins, all with the goal of hitting the ground running in the Summit League on Jan. 1. Our 2015-16 schedule will have us prepared for the heavy lifting that comes with the postseason in March, as our goal is to make the Summit League Tournament for the first time.”

Following a short winter break, the Mavericks kick off league play at home, hosting Western Illinois on New Year's Day and IUPUI on Jan. 3. Omaha then visits to North Dakota State (Jan. 7) and South Dakota (Jan. 9) before a home tilt against Fort Wayne (Jan. 16).

A three-game league jaunt spans UNO's next two weeks on the schedule, with trips to Denver (Jan. 21), Oral Roberts (Jan. 23) and South Dakota State (Jan. 28). The Mavericks then bring in South Dakota (Jan. 30) before a midweek game at Western Illinois (Feb. 3). Three straight home games include Denver (Feb. 6), South Dakota State (Feb. 10) and North Dakota State (Feb. 13).

Omaha next travels to the eastern swath of the league, calling on IUPUI (Feb. 17) and Fort Wayne (Feb. 20). The Mavericks enjoy their final home contest and last regular-season game on Feb. 25, welcoming Oral Roberts for Senior Night. The Summit League Tournament, which builds its field from the top eight teams in the conference standings, is then set for March 5-8 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Over the regular season, UNO will play in 13 states against schools from 10 other Division I conferences. The schedule has two opponents from both the WAC and the Big Sky and one each from the Big West, Pac-12, Big Ten, MAC, SEC, Mountain West, OVC and SWAC or MEAC. Two opponents – Wyoming and defending Summit League champion North Dakota State – played in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Hansen enters his 11th season at the helm of the Omaha program, boasting a career record of 161-138. UNO returns three starters from the 2014-15 squad: senior guards Devin Patterson and Marcus Tyus and sophomore forward Tre'Shawn Thurman.

The Mavericks begin early preparations for 2015-16 next month with a 10-day venture to Italy to face foreign competition, Aug. 12-22. The overseas excursion includes stops in Milan, Florence and Rome and affords the team 10 practices before it departs.

“Our training trip to Italy is the opportunity of a lifetime for our players and staff," Hansen said. "We're maximizing our schedule to play as many games and sightsee as much as possible. This will be a unique experience athletically and culturally, and we're looking forward to a memorable tour that brings our team together before the season officially starts.”

Season tickets are on sale now in-person at the UNO Athletic Ticket Office at Sapp Fieldhouse, by phone at (402) 554-MAVS or online at OMavs.com/tix and ticketmaster.com.

2015-16 Omaha Men's Basketball Season Ticket Pricing
Courtside -- $500
Lower Center -- $300
Lower Corner -- $225
Upper Center -- $150
UNO Students -- Free