Marist Men’s Basketball Faces Big Opponent This November

How bout this for a season opener?

According to the NY Daily News, the Marist Red Foxes kick off their 2016-17 season by traveling to Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina to face national powerhouse, Duke.

Tip off time will be announced.

The game is part of the 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off. Duke's game with Grand Canyon University will now be pushed back to the following night.

Marist got the nod after Duke's original opponent SUNY Albany was forced to pull out in July due to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s non-essential travel ban to the state of North Carolina.

According to the Governor's website, the ban follows North Carolina’s enactment of a law which bars transgender individuals from using restrooms appropriate for their gender identities, and other discriminatory acts.

Since they are a private school, Marist is not subject to the Governor's ban.

Marist finished the 2015-16 season 7-23 overall, and 4-16 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.