New-look SWAC basketball schedule starts today. Here’s what to expect

A recent change to the SWAC basketball schedule will officially be introduced on Thursday.

The first week of conference play — for both men’s and women’s basketball — features a new look.

All women’s games will be played on Thursday and Saturday, and the men’s contests will be played on Saturday and Monday.

The adjustments to the conference schedule were made during the annual Southwestern Athletic Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors’ spring meeting last June.

Here is the women’s Thursday and Saturday slate:

Here is the SWAC men’s basketball opening week schedule:

First-year Alabama A&M women’s basketball coach Dawn Thornton spoke in June about the change to the conference slate. Though she expressed mixed emotions about the shift, the longtime coach was encouraged by the opportunity.

“Those doubleheaders are something that I know our fans and community looked forward to,” Thornton said. “However, with the trajectory that women’s basketball is going in right now, it’s great to be the highlighted team, be that premiere team, and have your own night.”