Game Notes
Listen Live at 2:45 p.m.
The University of North Florida men’s basketball team begins its 10th season under the guidance of head coach Matt Kilcullen on Sunday when it travels to Savannah State University to take on the Tigers in a 3 p.m. battle.
The 2008-09 campaign marks the final year for UNF in its transition to the NCAA Division I level.
The Ospreys have seen progress through their first three years in the Atlantic Sun Conference and will look to take another step this year before their quest to reach the Atlantic Sun postseason tournament and ultimately the NCAA Tournament begins in 2009-10.
UNF and Savannah State met twice last year with each team winning on its home court. The Ospreys dropped a 58-32 decision at Tiger Arena in late November before turning the tables on Savannah State and winning a 67-57 game at UNF Arena in February.
When: Sunday, 3 p.m.
Where: Tiger Arena (Savannah, Ga.)
On the Air: Live audio/stats click here
UNF’s Record: 0-0
Savannah State’s Record: 0-0
Series: Tied 5-5
Who’s Hot: Stan Januska finished the 2007-08 season with four of five games in double figures and returns as the team’s leading scorer this season ... Januska averaged 4.4 rebounds last year, which ties him with DeVon Jones as the team’s leading returning rebounder.
Who’s Not: After missing 10 games last season, Justin Cecil will once again start the year in street clothes after suffering a hand injury in the offseason ... DeVon Jones is also out for the contest with a foot injury ... Jones started 23 games last year, while Cecil made a start in three contests.
Quoting Coach Kilcullen
“This will be a challenge for us opening up against Savannah State on the road. They are a much improved team under coach Broadnax. We are opening the season with five-straight road games, and this is an opportunity to learn a lot more about ourselves.”
Gameday Notables: The Ospreys will try to stop an overriding trend in matchups with Savannah State when they hit the court at Tiger Arena … the home team has won all 10 games in the series, with each team winning five games on its own surface … UNF is 6-10 all-time on opening day but has lost its last two openers to St. John's in 2006 and Maryland in 2007 … coach Matt Kilcullen is 4-5 on opening day and looking to even his record in that category against Savannah State … the team's last win in an opener came on Nov. 22, 2005, when the Ospreys defeated North Greenville 77-62.