SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — The Shippensburg University men's basketball team and head coach Dave Springer have announced the 2012-13 schedule. The Raiders will again play every PSAC West school for a total of 22 games (out of 26 total) against PSAC opponents.

The PSAC playoff format has changed, however, as the top six teams in both the East and West will now qualify for the conference playoffs. (Previously, the top four teams in each division qualified.) The top two seeds in each division will receive first round byes, while the No. 3 and No. 6 seeds will square off, as will the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds.

From that point, the format will revert to the same as it was previously beginning with the quarterfinals. Each No. 1 seed will face the lowest remaining seed in its division, with the No. 2 seed facing the other team advancing out of the first round. The four remaining teams will then crossover in the semifinals based on seeding.

Shippensburg opens its season hosting the annual Wolf's Bus Lines Classic the weekend of Nov. 16-17, facing off against Chestnut Hill and Salem International (Lock Haven will also participate in the classic).

The Raiders will then host Penn State-Mont Alto on Dec. 20 in their final tune-up before PSAC competition begins in December. Lock Haven is coached by former SU assistant coach Mike Nestor '99 (Brian Oleksiak '10 is his assistant), while Penn State-Mont Alto is coached by former SU women's assistant coach Jack Schenzel '95.

SU will open conference play Dec. 1 with back-to-back road games at Clarion and Lock Haven. From Dec. 8 to Jan. 5, Shippensburg will play all five of its games at home against PSAC competition.

The Raiders will then play seven of their next 10 games on the road in PSAC East play. The team will play home games against Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg and Cheyney within its final five games, with the contest against the Wolves on Feb. 23 serving as Senior Day. SU will close out the regular season on Feb. 27 at Millersville.

Schedules are always subject to change. For the latest schedule information throughout the year, be sure to check the Shippensburg University Athletics website, www.shipraiders.com. Additional schedules will be released online in the coming days and weeks.