2008 Woodie Awards
Basketball schedule finalized
Josh McCarty
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
While SIUE's move to Division I was made official in June, the SIUE basketball program removed any doubt of the university's status with the release of the 2008-09 schedule.
During the upcoming season, the Cougars pay visits to multiple major D-I programs as well take part in the ESPN sponsored Charleston Classic Tournament.
The season begins 6 p.m. Nov. 14 with the Charleston Classic, as SIUE will play the College of Charleston in the primetime slot. Other schools participating in the tournament include Temple University, Clemson University, Western Michigan University and Texas Christian University.
For SIUE freshman Brandon Dunson, playing in front of an ESPN regional audience is something the team will not be used to.
"Your family and friends will be able to see you play," Dunson said. "It's definitely going to be fun. We just got to get out there and compete to try to pull some of these upsets off."
It doesn't get any easier for the Cougars since on Nov. 18, they will travel to Madison, Wis. to take on the defending Big Ten Conference champion Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center.
SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Lennox Forrester said while the challenge will be daunting, the game is one his team is looking forward to.
"Playing Wisconsin is a great opportunity for our players," Forrester said. "You're talking about the Big Ten champs and the tournament champs. It's a great opportunity."
Dunson said he anticipates a large home field advantage for the Badgers that SIUE will have to contend with.
"It's going to be crazy," Dunson said. "It's a great honor to be able to play (in Wisconsin). To be in that atmosphere it will be real live."
The Big Ten isn't the only major D-I conference SIUE will pay visit to, as they have two games scheduled against Big 12 opponents, including a contest with the Missouri Tigers Dec. 27 in Columbia, Mo.
"It's a huge game for us and excitement for our fans," Forrester said. "(The game against Missouri is) a game they can travel to and help support us."
During the upcoming season, the Cougars pay visits to multiple major D-I programs as well take part in the ESPN sponsored Charleston Classic Tournament.
The season begins 6 p.m. Nov. 14 with the Charleston Classic, as SIUE will play the College of Charleston in the primetime slot. Other schools participating in the tournament include Temple University, Clemson University, Western Michigan University and Texas Christian University.
For SIUE freshman Brandon Dunson, playing in front of an ESPN regional audience is something the team will not be used to.
"Your family and friends will be able to see you play," Dunson said. "It's definitely going to be fun. We just got to get out there and compete to try to pull some of these upsets off."
It doesn't get any easier for the Cougars since on Nov. 18, they will travel to Madison, Wis. to take on the defending Big Ten Conference champion Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center.
SIUE men's basketball Head Coach Lennox Forrester said while the challenge will be daunting, the game is one his team is looking forward to.
"Playing Wisconsin is a great opportunity for our players," Forrester said. "You're talking about the Big Ten champs and the tournament champs. It's a great opportunity."
Dunson said he anticipates a large home field advantage for the Badgers that SIUE will have to contend with.
"It's going to be crazy," Dunson said. "It's a great honor to be able to play (in Wisconsin). To be in that atmosphere it will be real live."
The Big Ten isn't the only major D-I conference SIUE will pay visit to, as they have two games scheduled against Big 12 opponents, including a contest with the Missouri Tigers Dec. 27 in Columbia, Mo.
"It's a huge game for us and excitement for our fans," Forrester said. "(The game against Missouri is) a game they can travel to and help support us."
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stevo
student
posted 9/05/08 @ 3:39 PM CST
wow, no mention of SIUE playing Evansville? lennox will be battling his predecessor Marty Simmons!
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