FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3-17-00

AASU Men's Basketball Selected To Compete In 2000 Disney Tip-Off Classic

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team, coming off of its appearance in the PBAC Tournament championship game just two weeks ago, has been selected to compete at the prestigious 2000 Disney Men's Division II Tip-Off Classic to begin the 2000-2001 basketball season.

The Pirates will be one of eight teams competing in the classic from Friday, November 10 to Sunday, November 12. This will be the fourth year of the classic, sponsored by the Division II Commissioner's Association and Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Last year, the Peach Belt sent Lander University and the Senators lost to Charleston (W.Va.) in the championship game by two points, 65-63. The trip will be the first for the Pirates to the Classic.

The field includes two teams ranked in the March 6 NCAA Division II National Rankings – No. 19 Wayne State (Neb.) and No. 24 Northern Kentucky, as well as perennial powerhouses Pittsburg State (Kan.) and Bentley (Mass.). St. Joseph's (Ind.), Southwestern State (Minn.) and Orlando-based Rollins College round out the field.

“I think it shows that our conference has a lot of respect for our kids that are coming back next year,” AASU head coach Griff Mills said. “For us to get to go and participate in a tournament that has eight of the better teams around the country in it, it'll be a challenge- but it'll be exciting.”

AASU finished the 1999-2000 season with a 16-13 overall record and return all five starters from last season's squad, including PBAC Player of the Year Robert Campbell.

- Pirates -