For the second consecutive season, the Newman University men’s basketball program will open its season with an exhibition game against an NCAA Division I opponent. The Jets will travel to Manhattan, Kan., on Tuesday, Nov. 2 for a 7 p.m. exhibition contest with the Kansas State Wildcats inside KSU’s Bramlage Coliseum.
With four starters and nine letter winners from their 2009-10 Heartland Conference runner-up squad, Newman head coach Mark Potter will open his 13th season against a K-State squad that won a school-record 29 games and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 1988 and are now selected to win the Big 12 title by the coaches. The Wildcats return five players from their 2009-10 squad, including preseason All-American Jacob Pullen.
“This is an outstanding opportunity for us,” Potter said. “To think that four years ago we were an NAIA program, and now we are opening our season against a team that has the potential to be ranked in the preseason top-five nationally really shows how far we have come in such a little time. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity.”
The exhibition will be the third against an NCAA Div. I opponent in the last two seasons. Last season, the Jets opened their season at cross-town NCAA Division I Wichita State, before traveling to North Texas for an exhibition later that same week.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to open our season at Kansas State University,” Director of Athletics Vic Trilli said. “I would personally like to thank Frank Martin and the entire Kansas State basketball staff for working with us to make this happen. This will be a huge event for the entire Newman University community.”
A limited number of tickets will be available for Newman students. Students are encouraged to watch their Newman student email for additional information. Tickets can also be ordered online at www.kstatesports.com.
