NORMAL — For an up-close opportunity to meet the Alabama A&M basketball coaching staffs and teams, the Bulldogs are hosting a Tip-Off Social this week.

The free event is 5 p.m. Friday inside the Ernest L. Knight Center.

Following the introduction of the teams at 6 p.m., Thai Floyd will serve as the emcee and welcome head coaches Donte’ Jackson and Dawn Thornton who will give a preview of the season which features 32 games inside the AAMU Event Center.

The men’s basketball team will have a pair of exhibition games in October, starting with the Ballin in Boutwell matchup against Samford on Oct. 13, followed by the Oct. 27 Mayor’s Cup clash with UAH in the Event Center.

The Bulldogs begin the regular season Nov. 3 with their home opener, playing host to Blue Mountain Christian. AAMU takes to the road just two days later (Nov. 5), visiting Big Ten foe Indiana.

The women’s basketball program, coming off a historic season that saw the Bulldogs win 21 games for the first time during the Division I era, will look to repeat the success from a year ago.

Alabama A&M begins the season with an exhibition game, playing host to UAH in the return of the Mayor’s Cup. The regular season tips off with back-to-back home games, starting on Nov. 5 against Talladega.

For the second consecutive season, the Bulldogs will welcome an SEC opponent to the Event Center as Ole Miss comes to The Hill on Nov. 7.

Season ticket renewals are on sale; the deadline to guarantee seat locations for existing season ticket holders is Sept. 30.

To renew season tickets, visit aamusports.com or call the AAMU Ticket Office at 256-372-7255 or 256-372-7254.