KUTZTOWN, PA (August 19, 2010) – An exhibition against Syracuse University, 12 home games and an away contest against NCAA Division II national finalist Indiana (Pa) highlight the 2010-11 Kutztown University men's basketball schedule released Thursday afternoon. The Golden Bears return three key members of last year's 23-8 team that advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional tournament. (CLICK HERE FOR 2010-11 SCHEDULE)
The Golden Bears will compete against Big East for Syracuse University on Tuesday, November 2 at the Carrier Dome. It will be the second consecutive season that the Golden Bears will play a Big East school in an exhibition contest.
Kutztown's first three regular season games will be on the road. The Golden Bears open their 2010-11 regular season against Philadelphia University, a team that also participated in the NCAA Division II tournament last season, on Saturday, November 13. Kutztown continues its season-opening road swing with games against Wilmington University (Thursday, November 18) and Penn State-Berks (Saturday, November 20).
The Golden Bears' home opener will be against Goldey-Beacom College on Tuesday, November 23. In last year's match-up, Kutztown prevailed, 76-74.
Kutztown will begin the 2011 portion of its schedule by playing home crossover contests against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West opponents Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock on Monday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 4. The Golden Bears travel to the Western part of the state that weekend to meet California (Saturday, January 8) and IUP (Sunday, January 9). IUP defeated Kutztown in last year's PSAC championship contest.
The Golden Bears begin PSAC East competition on Wednesday, January 12 when they visit Shippensburg. Kutztown's home conference opener will be against Bloomsburg on Saturday, January 16.
Kutztown finishes its regular season schedule with a matinee against Millersville on Saturday, February 26. The Golden Bears will play five of their seven conference home games in February. The PSAC playoffs start on Tuesday, March 1 and the PSAC Final Four will be at the site of the highest remaining Western Division team on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5.
Among some of the key returnees from last year's team are senior guard Julius Gray (Lincoln University, PA/Oxford Area), senior guard Steve Coffey (Reading, PA/Wilson) and senior forward Tamir Johnson (Philadelphia, PA/Imhotep Charter). Gray, a second team all-PSAC East selection last year, is Kutztown's leading returning scorer. He averaged 13.8 points per game and made a team-high 72 3-pointers. Johnson averaged 9.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He also posted eight double-doubles.
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