JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida men’s basketball team will face crosstown rival Jacksonville University for the third time this season in the quarterfinals of the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Championships on Wednesday, March 3, at 9 p.m. at the University Center in Macon, Ga.
The Ospreys are the No. 7 seed and JU the No. 2 seed, with the winner advancing to the semifinals against the winner of the Belmont (No. 3 seed)-Mercer (No. 6 seed) game on Friday, March 5, at 9 p.m. at the University Center.
“On August 24 we talked about playing for championships,” said UNF head coach Matthew Driscoll. “We explained that you can't play in the tournament unless you are invited as one of the eight teams and that consists of your body of work throughout the regular season. We did just that and now have put ourselves back on the board like the other seven schools with a chance to win the A-Sun post season conference championship.”
The championship game is on Saturday, March 6, at 6 p.m. and is televised on ESPN2. The winner of A-Sun Championship earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament. This is the first year that UNF is eligible for the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament after finishing its four-year reclassification period last year.
UNF lost both meetings with the Dolphins this season, 62-56 at JU on Jan. 18, and 73-61 at UNF Arena on Jan. 29. Wednesday’s game can be heard on heard on AM 1320 WBOB and 103.7 FM in Jacksonville or on-line at 1320WBOB.com. The game can also be seen free of charge on www.ASun.TV.
North Florida ended the regular season at 13-17 overall and 8-12 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. JU finished 14-6 in league play (18-11 overall) and in a four-way tie for first with Lipscomb (No. 1 seed), Belmont and Campbell (No. 4 seed).
“It is always a great opportunity to play in a post season tournament because everyone gets another fresh start to reach their vision of winning a conference championship,” said Driscoll. “Obviously, being JU makes it even more exciting for everyone around the Jacksonville area and alumni of both schools because of our close proximity. We embrace the challenge and look forward to competing for a conference championship.”
Ticket information for the A-Sun Tournament is below:
Tournament Books
$75 (Adults) | $50 (Seniors 62 and older) | $50 (Students age 12-22 years or older with Valid College Student ID) | $20 (Youth 6-11) | Free (Age 5 and younger)
Session Tickets
$15 (Adults) | $10 (Senior 62 and older) | $10 (Age 12-22 with valid college I.D.) | $5 (Ages 6-11) | Free (Age 5 and under)
Tickets can be ordered Online at MercerBears.com or by phone at 478-301-5470. Tickets on sale day of game beginning at 10 a.m. ET and doors open one hour prior to first game of session.
DEPARTURE NOTE: UNF will practice at 4:30 p.m. TODAY at UNF Arena and depart at approximately 6 p.m. from UNF Arena for Macon. Media members are welcome to attend practice.