Coleman Named to Big South Preseason All-Conference Team

Men's Basketball 8/11/2009 8:15:00 AM Presbyterian College Athletics

ESPN Bracket Busters And Defending NCAA Champion Highlight PC?s 2009-10 Season

CLINTON, S.C. – In just its third season of Division I play, Presbyterian College has another first for its talented men's basketball program. The 2009-10 schedule is not only the toughest yet, but the squad will also be playing in the ESPN Bracket Busters on Feb. 20 in addition to the defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels.

“This is our toughest schedule to date,” head coach Gregg Nibert said. “We are playing the defending national champion in North Carolina as well as NCAA Tournament participant Clemson from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Our schedule also features two games against Big Ten schools (Illinois and Ohio State) and BIG EAST foe Marquette – another NCAA Tournament participant. PC also takes on recent national champion Florida.

“We are excited about being able to not only play these fine institutions,” Nibert said, “but also about getting Furman on the schedule. The Paladins will make the return game during the 2010-2011 season.

The Blue Hose schedule is highlighted by 10 home dates, nine of which are Big South Conference opponents.

Nibert's team opens the tough slate on Nov. 13 at Atlantic Coast Conference foe Clemson. Four days later, the team plays another in-state foe in Southern Conference competitor Furman. The Blue Hose then make the trip to the state of Illinois where they will take on Illinois Nov. 21. Three days later, the team will take on its second team from the state in the Bradley Braves.

PC will have just two days off before playing back-to-back days in a tournament in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 27-28. Teams are still TBA.

After making the quick flight back to Clinton, the Blue Hose play three straight games in front of their home fans. The first home contest is slated for Nov. 30 against Montreat. PC will take on High Point and Radford in front of the Blue Hose Nation to open up Big South play. PC and the Panthers play Dec. 3 while the reigning Big South champions come to town two days later.

The Blue Hose have a week off for exams, but return for arguably its toughest stretch in the program's history. PC will be away from the Templeton Center for over a month. During the time away, the Blue Hose will travel to defending NCAA Champion North Carolina (Dec. 12). The squad will then head to the Buckeye state to take on Ohio State (Dec. 16) and the Dayton Flyers (Dec. 19). After a brief break for Christmas, Nibert's team returns to action Dec. 27 at Marquette. From there, the team heads to Gainesville, Fla., to take on the Florida Gators Dec. 30.

“The 2009-2010 non-conference schedule will again be one of the toughest and most exciting schedules put together,” Nibert said. “This is our third year in the transition to Division I. We have only played one non-Division I school the last two years to get us ready for the always tough Big South slate. Our players and future Blue Hose student-athletes like to play against the best teams in the country.

On Jan. 2, PC opens the 2010 calendar year at Charleston Southern. Two days later, the team will take on Coastal Carolina.

The Blue Hose open their home portion of 2010 on Jan. 7 against Liberty, a team PC defeated in double overtime in front of the home faithful a year ago. On Jan. 9, VMI comes to town. PC hosts the Eagles of Winthrop a week later, concluding its three-game home-stand.

The Blue Hose hit the road for games at Gardner-Webb (Jan. 21) and UNC Asheville (Jan. 23). The following week, PC returns home for dates against the Chanticleers (Jan. 28) and the Bucs (Jan. 30).

PC has three tough road games to start February. On Feb. 4, the team heads to Virginia where it will take on the Keydets. Two days later, the squad plays at Liberty. The following Saturday, the Blue Hose will make the short drive to Rock Hill, S.C., for a showdown at Winthrop.

After some rearranging of the schedule, PC will host UNC Asheville Feb. 16. On Feb. 20, the team will make its debut in the ESPN Bracket Busters. The squad PC will play is still TBA. On Feb. 23, the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb come to town.

PC concludes the season with two straight road contests. After traveling to Radford Feb. 25, the Blue Hose take on the High Point Panthers Feb. 27 in the season finale.

“Our schedule guarantees additional revenue of over $500,000 for our school and athletic department,” Nibert said. “This is critical in our move to Division I athletics.”

Nibert's 2008-09 team, the first that played in the Big South Conference, finished 12-17 overall and 9-9 in league play.

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