WINTER HAVEN – Less than two months separate us from the start of Polk State Basketball's 2023-24 season and the schedule is set.

This season will feature 30 total games, including 15 at home – an increase from just 11 last season. Polk State enters its seventh season under Head Coach Brandon Giles and looks to bounce back from an 11-18 finish.

"If you ask me, Region 8 is the best in the country for junior college basketball," Giles said. "Having a bigger conference will make things that much more challenging. I'm excited to see how our young team responds."

Instead of three conferences, the FCSAA has transitioned to two conferences for the 2023-24 season – the Citrus Conference and the Panhandle Conference. Polk State is among 12 teams that make up the Citrus Conference.

The Eagles, however, won't begin conference play until January. Polk State opens the year at home against Florida Coastal Prep Sports Academy on Nov. 1 and TLAP Sports Academy on Nov. 4.

The month of November will include four neutral-site contests at the Santa Fe Classic in Gainesville on Nov. 10 and 11 and the South Georgia State College Shootout in Waycross, Ga. on Nov. 17 and 18. The tournament in Waycross will mark the only time this season that Polk State will leave the state of Florida.

Following a home date with TRC Academy on Nov. 20, Polk State will play its first true road games against Florida Gateway College on Nov. 29 and Palm Beach State College on Dec. 2. The final neutral-site game of the regular season for the Eagles comes on Dec. 3 against Chipola College in Gainesville for the NJCAA Region 8 Shootout.

During a stretch that will last more than a month, Polk State closes December and opens January with five straight home games, including the Citrus Conference opener against Miami Dade College on Jan. 6. The Eagles hit the road for the first time in Citrus Conference play on Jan. 13 at St. Petersburg College.

Polk State will play road and home games against Citrus Conference foes Miami Dade, Hillsborough Community College, St. Petersburg, Florida SouthWestern State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, Indian River State College, and Eastern Florida State College. From the Citrus Conference, the Eagles will not face College of Central Florida, Seminole State College of Florida, or State College of Florida-Manatee this season.

Polk State will play its final road game of the season on Feb. 28 at Indian River. The Eagles conclude the regular season at home on March 4 against Eastern Florida State. Typically, Polk State uses its last home game as Sophomore Day and celebrates the outgoing sophomores prior to the contest. Click here for the complete 2023-24 schedule.

The top five teams in the Citrus Conference and top two in the Panhandle Conference will qualify for the FCSAA Tournament quarterfinals in Niceville. The sixth-place team in the Citrus and third-place team in the Panhandle will participate in a play-in game for the eighth and final spot in the quarterfinals.

Polk State Basketball is also actively looking for new members to join its Booster Club. Those interested can find more information or join by clicking here.

"With three contributors returning and a nice mix of talented freshmen and incoming transfers, I'm excited to see what we can do this season," Giles added. "My goal is to get back to the FCSAA Tournament. It won't be easy, but I think we're up for the challenge."