Trip to Duke Highlights EKU Schedule

RICHMOND, Ky. – Sixteen home games await the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team this winter, along with road trips to Duke and UAB, highlighting the 2007-08 schedule as released Wednesday by third-year head coach Jeff Neubauer.

“We certainly have quite a few home games this year as we are receiving the benefits of going on the road last season,” Neubauer said. “Outside of our league games, trips to Duke and UAB plus non-conference games against teams from the Colonial and Horizon Leagues gives us an incredibly challenging schedule for our team.”

The defending Ohio Valley Conference Tournament champion Colonels will make the trip to Tobacco Road on Nov. 25 to face the Blue Devils for the first time ever in historic Cameron Indoor Stadium. Last year, Eastern squared off against ACC-foe North Carolina in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. EKU is 11-26 all-time against ACC programs.

Eastern Kentucky will host six non-conference contests in 2007-08 including the Battle of the Bluegrass against Western Kentucky on Dec. 8. More than 6,000 fans came out to watch the Colonels host the Hilltoppers in 2005, which happened to be the first meeting between the in-state rivals in Richmond since 1994. James Madison (Nov. 28) and Youngstown State (Dec. 1) are also scheduled to appear in McBrayer Arena.

Other non-conference highlights include trips to East Tennessee State (Nov. 17) and to UAB (Nov. 21) for the first meeting against the Blazers since 1978. Eastern Kentucky will also host a Bracket Buster game on Feb. 22 or 23.

The Colonels open conference play on Dec. 5 at Murray State. This will be the third and final time in the near future the OVC will utilize a 20-game league schedule due to the departure of Samford following the 2007-08 season. Eastern concludes the regular season with three home OVC battles including tilts against Morehead State (Feb. 20) and defending regular-season champion Austin Peay (Feb. 28).

Eastern’s 16 home games are the most in program history.

EKU returns three starters, including All-OVC performer Mike Rose and OVC Co-Freshman of the Year Adam Leonard, from last year’s squad that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the previous three seasons. Eastern Kentucky compiled a 21-12 record in 2006-07 while tying a program record with 13 conference victories.

(cont.)

2007-08 Eastern Kentucky University Men’s Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Time

Saturday Nov. 10 West Virginia Wesleyan TBA

Tuesday Nov. 13 Thomas More College TBA

Saturday Nov. 17 at East Tennessee State TBA

Wednesday Nov. 21 at UAB TBA

Sunday Nov. 25 at Duke TBA

Wednesday Nov. 28 James Madison TBA

Saturday Dec. 1 Youngstown State TBA

Wednesday Dec. 5 at Murray State* TBA

Saturday Dec. 8 Western Kentucky TBA