IUPUI opens at Marquette tournament

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) IUPUI will open the men&#39;s basketball season in Marquette&#39;s Blue Gold Classic and play other nonconference opponents including Western Kentucky, Colorado State, Ball State, Western Michigan and Vanderbilt.<br> <br> The Jaguars will begin their Mid-Continent Conference schedule Dec. 30 at Chicago State. They&#39;ll visit Valparaiso on Jan. 28 and host the Crusaders on Feb. 9.<br> <br> ``We&#39;re continuing to put our program in the national spotlight with our schedule,&#39;&#39; IUPUI coach Ron Hunter said Tuesday.<br> <br> ``Obviously, we want to play well against non-conference opponents, but we have to be successful in league play. Those are the games that really matter.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The four-team Marquette tournament, with pairings still to be determined, is Nov. 18-19. IUPUI will play at Western Kentucky on Nov. 26 and play its home opener against Indiana Wesleyan on Nov. 26.<br> <br> The schedule also includes consecutive games at Colorado State on Dec. 3, at home against Ball State on Dec. 7 and at Western Michigan on Dec. 10. The Jaguars&#39; game at Vanderbilt on Dec. 22 is their final game before starting conference play.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)