By: by Scott Lipsky
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KENNESAW, Ga. – The long-awaited 2010-11 campaign for the Kennesaw State Owls men’s basketball team begins in earnest on Friday night, when the Black and Gold take on the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center.
The Owls will try to win their third consecutive season-opener, after dropping their first three as a Division I program. Last season, they hosted North Greenville on opening night, coming out victorious, 89-79.
With an upcoming game against Georgia Tech on Nov. 15, it would be easy to think that the Owls are focusing on four days from now, but Kennesaw State head coach Tony Ingle is making sure his squad is focused on the task at hand.
“Georgia Southwestern is not a team to take lightly,” said Ingle of the Division II squad who currently plays in the Peach Belt Conference, the conference that formerly housed the Owls. “They have several players on their roster who have played at the Division I level and they already have experience this season against Division I schools. There’s an old saying that there are two games that a coach should never have to get his team ready to play in, and that’s the first game of the season, and a championship game. This is our first game of the season, and I know that our guys will be ready to play.”
The Hurricanes played a pair of exhibitions against Division I programs in UNC Wilmington and Alabama State, and do in fact have five players who previously played Division I ball. One may be slightly familiar to the Owls in sophomore Matt Shaw, who was a member of the Lipscomb Bisons last season, a conference rival of Kennesaw State.
Friday’s match-up is just the beginning of a demanding slate for Ingle’s squad, who host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Monday, Nov. 15, then host Chattanooga on Wednesday, Nov. 17 before traveling to Alabama State on Nov. 20 for the start of the four-game, Global Sports Hy-Vee Challenge, which will pit them against Alabama State, Iowa State and Creighton on the road and Northern Arizona at home. Playing Friday night’s game is the only thing on the Owls mind, however.
“It’s very important that we approach every game the same way and not take anyone for granted,” senior guard Kelvin McConnell, the team’s captain, said. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we have to jump on our opponent early and keep our intensity up. No matter what division a team plays in, they are all college athletes out there, and it’s going to be a battle.”
This is the first time the two teams have played one another in their histories, thought they do share a common thread. Prior to moving up to NCAA Division I in 2005, the Owls competed in the Peach Belt Conference, the league that Georgia Southwestern has played in since the 2006-07 season.
Friday night will also be the debuts of the Owls seven newcomers to this season’s roster. Freshmen Andrew Osemhen, Brandon Dawson and Nick Turner will be playing in collegiate games for the first time, while sophomores Aaron Anderson, Mirza Sabic and RJ Hall and junior Romain Henry will be continuing their college careers by stepping onto the court in black and gold for the first time.
Friday night is Military Appreciation Night at the KSU Convocation Center, with all current military, veterans and their families receiving free admission. Tickets for adults are $10, with youth in eighth grade or lower $6. Admission is free for all current Kennesaw State students to all athletic events.
Fans can listen to the game live on Talk 920 AM, either on their radio dial or by visiting www.talk920.com. Live stats will be available throughout the game on ksuowls.com.
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| Owls senior Kelvin McConnell talks about Friday night's upcoming game against Georgia Southwestern. |
