April 28, 2008
NORTH CAROLINA STATE, UNC-CHARLOTTE AND PENN STATE HEADING TO YORK
TORONTO, Ont. - The York Lions men's basketball team announced Monday (April 28) it will play three exhibition games against NCAA Division I teams over the Labour Day weekend.
The Lions will play host to North Carolina State Aug. 30 (7pm), UNC-Charlotte Aug. 31 (7pm) and Penn State Sept. 1 (12pm) at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
It marks the fifth year in a row that York will entertain American college teams over the Labour Day weekend. The Lions are 3-5 against NCAA opponents since 2004.
"We're really excited to play these games," Lions head coach Bob Bain said. "It's going to be a real test for some of our young guys. Our guys are looking forward to the challenge."
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have a rich basketball tradition, having won two national championships, most recently in 1983 under late, legendary coach Jim Valvano.
This past season, North Carolina State finished 15-16 after losing in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. The Wolfpack recorded wins against Elite 8 qualifier Davidson and Sweet 16 qualifier Villanova in 2007-08 and have advanced to the NCAA tournament five times this decade.
The UNC-Charlotte 49ers return to York four years after defeating the Lions 110-62 in 2004.
UNC-Charlotte advanced to the semi-finals of the Atlantic 10 tournament this past season before earning a berth in the NIT tournament, giving the 49ers eight post-season bids (including five NCAA tournament trips) in head coach Bobby Lutz's 10 years with the squad. The 49ers (20-14) lost to Nebraska in the first round of the NIT. UNC-Charlotte also notched a win over Davidson in 2007-08.
The Penn State Nittany Lions finished 15-16 this past season after losing in the first round of the Big 10 tournament. Highlights of the season included a win over Sweet 16 qualifier Michigan State and a victory over then-No. 17 ranked Indiana.
York finished 7-15 in 2007-08 to finish fifth in the OUA East. The Lions lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Queen's Golden Gaels.
Ticket information for the Labour Day weekend games will be announced at a later date.
(Source: Mike Koreen, York Lions, Sports Information)
The Lions will play host to North Carolina State Aug. 30 (7pm), UNC-Charlotte Aug. 31 (7pm) and Penn State Sept. 1 (12pm) at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
It marks the fifth year in a row that York will entertain American college teams over the Labour Day weekend. The Lions are 3-5 against NCAA opponents since 2004.
"We're really excited to play these games," Lions head coach Bob Bain said. "It's going to be a real test for some of our young guys. Our guys are looking forward to the challenge."
The North Carolina State Wolfpack have a rich basketball tradition, having won two national championships, most recently in 1983 under late, legendary coach Jim Valvano.
This past season, North Carolina State finished 15-16 after losing in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. The Wolfpack recorded wins against Elite 8 qualifier Davidson and Sweet 16 qualifier Villanova in 2007-08 and have advanced to the NCAA tournament five times this decade.
The UNC-Charlotte 49ers return to York four years after defeating the Lions 110-62 in 2004.
UNC-Charlotte advanced to the semi-finals of the Atlantic 10 tournament this past season before earning a berth in the NIT tournament, giving the 49ers eight post-season bids (including five NCAA tournament trips) in head coach Bobby Lutz's 10 years with the squad. The 49ers (20-14) lost to Nebraska in the first round of the NIT. UNC-Charlotte also notched a win over Davidson in 2007-08.
The Penn State Nittany Lions finished 15-16 this past season after losing in the first round of the Big 10 tournament. Highlights of the season included a win over Sweet 16 qualifier Michigan State and a victory over then-No. 17 ranked Indiana.
York finished 7-15 in 2007-08 to finish fifth in the OUA East. The Lions lost in the first round of the playoffs against the Queen's Golden Gaels.
Ticket information for the Labour Day weekend games will be announced at a later date.
(Source: Mike Koreen, York Lions, Sports Information)
