By JOHN BOHNENKAMP

Western Illinois’ men’s and women’s basketball teams will get two more Ohio Valley Conference games in their second season in the league.

The 11-team OVC will have a true round-robin schedule this season, meaning 20 games within the league.

The expanded schedule, which features men’s/women’s doubleheaders, means the OVC openers will be before Christmas, with games between December 17 and December 21.

The Leathernecks will open conference play at home on December 17 against Tennessee Tech, with their first road games on December 21.

Western Illinois will play three of its first four league games on the road, but also gets a stretch of four consecutive home games later in the season. The Leathernecks will end conference play on February 27, not playing on the final Saturday of the regular season.

Western Illinois’ men’s team finished fourth in the conference last season at 13-5. The women’s team, which featured freshman of the year Raegan McCowan, went 9-9, finishing seventh. 

A look at the Leathernecks’ schedule:

Tuesday, December 17 — Tennessee Tech

Saturday, December 21 — At Lindenwood

Thursday, January 2 — At SIUE

Saturday, January 4 — At Eastern Illinois

Thursday, January 9 — UT Martin

Saturday, January 11 — Tennessee State

Thursday, January 16 — At Morehead State

Saturday, January 18 — At Southern Indiana

Thursday, January 23 — Little Rock

Saturday, January 25 — Southeast Missouri State

Thursday, January 30 — Eastern Illinois

Saturday, February 1 — SIUE

Thursday, February 6 — At Tennessee State

Saturday, February 8 — At UT-Martin

Thursday, February 13 — Southern Indiana

Saturday, February 15 — Morehead State at Western Illinois

Thursday, February 20 — At Southeast Missouri State

Saturday, February 22 — At Little Rock

Tuesday, February 25 — Lindenwood

Thursday, February 27 — At Tennessee Tech

Photo: Ryan Myers is the lone returning starter for Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team this season. (Photo from WIU Athletic Communications)