BUFFALO, NY - A visit from Big Ten-member Penn State, a trip to Rutgers of the BIG EAST and an appearance in the 2004 ESPN Bracket Buster highlight the 2003-04 University at Buffalo men's basketball schedule, released on Thursday.

"We have a challenging non-conference schedule and we are glad to have an attractive home schedule," head coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "I think seeing teams from the BIG EAST and the Big Ten is exciting for our players and our fans."

Four of the Bulls' first five games will be played at Alumni Arena. UB opens the season at home against Canisius on Nov. 21. It will be a doubleheader with the women's basketball team. UB's first road game will be at Rutgers on Nov. 25. The Bulls will host Penn State on Nov. 29. Buffalo looks to avenge a tough 68-60 loss to the Nittany Lions last year at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Following a home contest with Bowling Green on Dec. 3 to open Mid-American Conference play, the Bulls will conclude the non-conference schedule with five straight games. Buffalo will host Youngstown State (Dec. 6) and Robert Morris (Dec. 17) and travel to Colgate (Dec. 9), Niagara (Dec. 13) and Fairleigh Dickinson (Dec. 22).

Conference play kicks into high gear on Jan. 3 when the Bulls travel to Toledo to take on the Rockets. UB will host Miami (OH) (Jan. 7) and Western Michigan (Jan. 10) followed by three straight road games against Ohio (Jan. 14), Marshall (Jan. 17) and Northern Illinois (Jan. 25). The Bulls will close out the month of January by hosting Akron on Jan. 28.

UB will open the month of February on the road against Ball State (Feb. 1). The Bulls will return home for two straight games against Eastern Michigan (Feb. 4) and Marshall (Feb. 7). Following a road contest with Kent State on Feb. 11, Buffalo will return home to host 2003 MAC Champion Central Michigan on Feb. 14. The Bulls will travel to Eastern Michigan on Feb. 18.

UB will participate in the second-annual ESPN Bracket Buster on Feb. 21. The Bulls' opponent for the game, which will be played on the road, will be announced on Feb. 1.

On Feb. 25, the Bulls will host Kent State. The last two times the Golden Flashes have visited Alumni Arena, the game has come down to the wire. Last season, Kent State's Bryan Bedford drained a three-pointer, as time expired, to help the Golden Flashes escape with a 69-68 victory. During the 2001-02 season, the Bulls topped Kent State, 66-65, on a Louis Campbell jumper with less than a second remaining.

The month of February ends with a game at Miami (OH) on Feb. 28.

Buffalo will host Ohio on Mar. 3 before wrapping up the 2003-04 regular season on the road against Akron on Mar. 6.

2003-04 Buffalo Men's Basketball Schedule

Nov. 21 - Friday - CANISIUS (DH) - 8:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Nov. 25 - Tuesday - at Rutgers - TBA - Rutgers AC

Nov. 29 - Saturday - PENN STATE - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Dec. 3 - Wednesday - BOWLING GREEN* - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Dec. 6 - Saturday - YOUNGSTOWN STATE - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Dec. 9 - Tuesday - at Colgate - 7:00 PM - Reid Athletic Center

Dec. 13 - Saturday - at Niagara - 7:30 PM - Gallagher Center

Dec. 17 - Wednesday - ROBERT MORRIS - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Dec. 22 - Monday - at Fairleigh Dickinson - 7:00 PM - Rothman Center

Jan. 3 - Saturday - at Toledo* - 7:00 PM - Savage Hall

Jan. 7 - Wednesday - MIAMI* - 8:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Jan. 10 - Saturday - WESTERN MICHIGAN* - 1:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Jan. 14 - Wednesday - at Ohio* - TBA - Convocation Center

Jan. 17 - Saturday - at Marshall* - 7:00 PM - Henderson Center

Jan. 25 - Sunday - at Northern Illinois* - 3:05 PM - Convocation Center

Jan. 28 - Wednesday - AKRON* - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Feb. 1 - Sunday - at Ball State* - TBA - Worthen Arena

Feb. 4 - Wednesday - EASTERN MICHIGAN* - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Feb. 7 - Saturday - MARSHALL* - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Feb. 11 - Wednesday - at Kent State* - 7:00 PM - Memorial AC

Feb. 14 - Saturday - CENTRAL MICHIGAN* - 3:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Feb. 18 - Wednesday - at Eastern Michigan* - 7:00 PM - Convocation Center

Feb. 21 - Saturday - at Bracket Buster - TBA

Feb. 25 - Wednesday - KENT STATE* - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Feb. 28 - Saturday - at Miami*- 2:00 PM - Millett Hall

Mar. 3 - Wednesday - OHIO* - 7:00 PM - Alumni Arena

Mar. 6 - Saturday - at Akron* - 3:00 PM - JAR Arena

Home Games in BOLD CAPS

* - Mid-American Conference game