FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 9-13-00
AASU Men's Basketball Announces 2000-2001 Schedule
SAVANNAH, Ga. – A date with Disney and eight games against regionally-ranked schools highlight the 2000-2001 Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball schedule, announced today by head coach Griff Mills.
The Pirates, who return all five starters from last season's 16-13 squad that advanced to the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship game, will open the year from Nov. 10-12 in Orlando, Fla., at the Disney Wide World of Sports complex in the Disney/Division II Men's Basketball Tip-Off Classic. AASU faces Bentley in its first-round match-up on Friday, Nov. 10 at 1:00 p.m.
AASU opens its home season on Saturday, November 18 against Claflin at 4:00 p.m. The Pirates also host Clark Atlanta (Nov. 24) and Presbyterian (Nov. 29) before renewing their rivalry with Savannah State on Dec. 2 at the Armstrong Sports Center. The Pirates open up their Peach Belt Conference schedule on Dec. 9 as they host Kennesaw State, then AASU entertains a doubleheader with Francis Marion on Dec. 22-23 as both Peach Belt squads will face Lenoir-Rhyne and Wingate.
The Pirates host Valdosta State on Dec. 30 before resuming their Peach Belt Conference slate, then make a return trip to Savannah State on Jan. 10 to face the Tigers.
“This is perhaps the most challenging schedule we've had since we've been here,” Mills said. “ To start off with the level of competition at the Disney classic, then follow it up with region games against teams that have historically had a lot of success - Wingate, Valdosta State, Lenoir-Rhyne and Presbyterian - is tremendous.
“In addition, the Peach Belt slate will also be very challenging and with Savannah State making the move to NCAA Division I, they will present a tough test as well,” Mills added.
Last season, AASU lost to Columbus State in the Peach Belt Conference tournament final and two teams from the conference – CSU and Georgia College & State – advanced to the South Atlantic Regional. The Pirates' last NCAA Regional appearance came during the 1994-95 season.
With 1999-2000 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Robert Campbell among 12 players returning from last year, AASU's experienced players will be tested early with a tough schedule.
Coach Mills and the Pirates are also concluding negotiations that will keep the AASU home basketball games on Comcast Cable television. Last season, AASU had nine games televised and this year, the Pirates are expecting to have 12 home games broadcast on the local cable afffiliate.
“Any exposure of our team that we can bring to the community's living rooms is a plus, for our team and our campus,” Mills said. “We are very excited to be working to continue this golden opportunity for our program.”
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