ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Winthrop University men’s basketball team will play in the first game of the NCAA basketball season when the Eagles take on the Queens University Royals on Monday, Nov. 3, before a national audience.
The two Charlotte-area teams have been selected to be a part of the Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon to celebrate the tip-off for the 2025-26 college basketball season. The games will be broadcast on The Field of 68’s YouTube Channel and X feeds, while the network’s popular After Dark show will be broadcast live at the venue.
Held at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, the day offers three games featuring mid-major powerhouse programs. Here is the schedule:
8 a.m. – Winthrop Eagles vs. Queens Royals
11 a.m. – St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Bradley Braves
6:30 p.m. – High Point Panthers vs. Furman Paladins
The Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon is presented by Visit York County, SC, supported
by Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism and Discover South Carolina.
The Field of 68 Opening Day Marathon will also spotlight a second location in Sioux
Falls, South Dakota. There, Drake will take on Northern Arizona; Murray State versus
Omaha; and South Dakota State will play Merrimack.
Organizers said this is an opportunity for national coverage of mid-major teams that
may not receive as much coverage as they deserve. “Visit York County is excited to
partner with the Field of 68 Media Network to host six top collegiate basketball programs,
including our very own Winthrop Eagles,” said Andy Clinton, the president of Visit
York County. “Visiting teams and spectators will stimulate our local economy while
York County will also be in the national spotlight for three intriguing matchups.”
Winthrop has won against Queens in each of the last two seasons. This is the fourth
year that Queens has offered a Division I program.
Tickets can be purchased at TicketReturn for the games in Rock Hill.
For more information, contact Brett Redden of Winthrop Athletics at reddenb@winthrop.edu.
