HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will open its 2003-04 season on Nov. 7 by participating in the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
NKU, which posted a 25-6 record last season, will open the round-robin tournament Nov. 7 at 8:30 p.m. against Kennesaw (Ga.) State University. NKU will meet Philadelphia (Pa.) University on Nov. 8 at 8:30 p.m., and the Norse will conclude the three-day event with a 3:30 p.m. game against South Dakota State University on Nov. 9.
Kennesaw State finished with a 25-10 record last season, and the Owls advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Philadelphia posted a 16-12 record in 2002-03, while South Dakota State compiled a 24-7 mark and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
NKU will return two starters from last season’s Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship team. Junior guard Mike Kelsey averaged 14.5 points per game and is the Norse’s top returning player in 2003-04.
Senior center Jesse Rupe averaged 6.6 ppg and also returns for NKU, which finished with a No. 4 national ranking in the NCAA Division II poll.
NKU must replace All-American guard Brenden Stowers, who averaged 16.2 ppg and led the team with 135 assists. The Norse will also have to find replacements for second team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performer Quentin Smith (13.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), forward Bobby St-Preux (10.2 ppg), and center Chris Seabrooks (8.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg) in 2003-04.
NKU participated in the 2000 Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic and captured the tournament title by defeating Wayne (Neb.) State College, Bentley College and Rollins College.
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Mike Kelsey |