California Baptist Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Lancers

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 02: Confetti is seen on the NCAA logo after the Kentucky Wildcats defeat the Kansas Jayhawks 67-59 in the National Championship Game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 2, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 11: The Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament championship trophy is shown with the tournament logo at half court before during the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference Basketball tournament between the New Mexico State Aggies and the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

The schedule ahead

No matter what the Lancers first Division I schedule looks like it will be a challenge. The month of November is littered with good tests for the newcomers with two games in Tulsa, OK against Oral Roberts and Tulsa, with the game against the Golden Hurricane coming as part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Classic. Also, as a part of that tournament, the Lancers face Nevada, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and finish up with either Little Rock or Howard.

December sees them hosting Mississippi Valley State and UC Irvine and traveling to play Southeastern Louisiana and Southern. The conference slate begins and ends with perennial WAC favorite New Mexico State, but they will also be tested facing teams like Grand Canyon, Seattle, Utah Valley, and Cal-State Bakersfield.

Next. Predicting all 32 conference champs for 2018-19. dark

With such a strong track record in Division II, it will be interesting to see how Coach Croy and his team handle the step up in competition. The Lancers have some pieces in place that will not only help them in the transition but see them having more success than most teams moving up to Division I. They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, here’s your shot Lancers.