HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will open the 2005-06 season against NCAA Division II powerhouse Findlay in the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic, Norse head coach Dave Bezold announced Thursday.

NKU, which posted a 14-15 overall record in 2004-05, will play the University of Cincinnati in an exhibition game on Nov. 12 before starting regular-season play against Findlay on Nov. 18. Findlay, which was ranked No. 1 nationally in the final 2004-05 Division II poll, compiled a 30-4 record last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

The Oilers also captured the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship last season.

NKU will play Saginaw Valley State on Nov. 19 in the final game of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic.

NKU begins Great Lakes Valley Conference play Dec. 1 against league newcomer Rockhurst (Mo.) at 7:45 p.m. in Regents Hall. Rockhurst, Drury and Missouri-Rolla each begin their first year as members of the GLVC in 2005-06.

The Norse will travel to Provo, Utah, on Dec. 10 to meet Division I member Brigham Young of the Mountain West Conference. NKU has not played a regular-season game against a Division I opponent since the 1994-95 campaign, when the Norse dropped an 85-63 decision at Toledo.

It will mark the first-ever meeting between NKU and BYU.

NKU and Thomas More will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 23 in Regents Hall. The Norse will travel to Florida during the Christmas break for games at Nova Southeastern (Dec. 29) and Lynn (Dec. 30). Lynn posted a 29-6 record last season and defeated top-ranked Findlay at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

Defending GLVC champion Southern Indiana visits Regents Hall on Jan. 7 for the only regular-season meeting with NKU. The GLVC will be split into two divisions this season, with NKU competing in the East.

The GLVC East division includes NKU, Bellarmine, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lewis, Wisconsin-Parkside, Indianapolis and Saint Joseph’s. The GLVC West division will be comprised of Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois at Edwardsville, Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri-Rolla, Quincy, Rockhurst and Drury.

NKU’s final home game will be Feb. 11 against Saint Joseph’s. The Norse end the regular season with road games at Bellarmine, Kentucky Wesleyan, Wisconsin-Parkside and Lewis.

The GLVC Tournament will be held March 2-5 in Roberts Stadium at Evansville, Ind. The top three teams in each division and two wild cards will qualify for the eight-team event.

NKU advanced to the championship game of the GLVC Tournament last season before losing to Southern Indiana. The Norse posted an 8-12 record in the GLVC a year ago.

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