10 teams that played in 2010-11 postseason highlight UNF slate
Men's Basketball Announces 2011-12 Schedule
7/22/2011 2:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
**2011-12 Schedule (pdf)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After guiding the University of North Florida men's basketball team to a program first appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference championship game, third-year head coach Matthew Driscoll has again put together a challenging schedule for the 2011-12 season that includes 14 regular season games at home in UNF Arena.
The Ospreys non-conference schedule is highlighted by games against teams from several high major conferences including the ACC (Miami, Virginia Tech), Big Ten (Ohio State), Big XII (Kansas State) and SEC (Alabama, Auburn, Florida). The '11-12 ledger also features five non-conference home tilts including games with solid mid-major programs like Wright State and Jackson State.
“As we move into our third year returning our core group of guys,” said Driscoll. “We are extremely excited about the schedule we have put together for this season. As usual, we will be challenged early and often by some very talented teams with the hope that it prepares us for what I feel like may be the most competitive mid-major league in America. Our schedule includes 10 teams that not only posted 20-win seasons, but also participated in postseason play. Florida advanced to the Elite 8 and Ohio State reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament while Alabama played in the championship game of the NIT. One of the most exciting things is that we will play six home games during the fall semester, a first for our program and a great opportunity to build some positive support and energy on campus and in the community.”
The season opens Nov. 1 with an exhibition game against in-state program Flagler before starting in earnest Nov. 11 at Alabama. UNF's official home debut comes Nov. 14 versus Savannah State before playing a three-game, five-day road stretch at Florida, Miami and Ohio State.
North Florida follows its opening road swing with a season-best four game homestand beginning Nov. 23 against Wright State. Other games during the stand include Jackson State (Nov. 25) and Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 29). The Ospreys close their homestand Dec. 3 against cross town rival Jacksonville, in their Atlantic Sun Conference opener and renewal of the SunTrust River City Rumble rivalry.
The month of December also features road contests at Kansas State (Dec. 11), Auburn (Dec. 17), Virginia Tech (Dec. 19) and Florida A&M (Dec. 21). After a short holiday break, UNF concludes the 2011 calendar year at home Dec. 30 against Palm Beach Atlantic.
The Ospreys ring in the New Year with a pair of A-Sun home games against Belmont (Jan. 2) and Lipscomb (Jan. 2). UNF's first road test of 2012 comes Jan. 7 against in-state foe Florida Gulf Coast followed by a Jan. 9 game at Stetson. North Florida then hosts USC Upstate (Jan. 14) and ETSU (Jan. 16) before ending the month with four straight road games – Mercer (Jan. 21), Kennesaw State (Jan. 23), Lipscomb (Jan. 28) and Belmont (Jan. 30).
UNF welcomes Stetson (Feb. 4) and FGCU (Feb. 6) to UNF Arena to tip-off the month of February. Games at ETSU (Feb. 11) and Upstate (Feb. 13) follow before the Ospreys close their home slate against Kennesaw State (Feb. 18) and Mercer (Feb. 20). The second game of the River City Rumble series against Jacksonville concludes UNF's regular season on Feb. 24.
The 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship Tournament is set for Feb. 29-Mar. 3 in Macon. Ga.
North Florida posted 15 victories last season matching a program record for wins and marking a new NCAA Division I era record. UNF also finished with a program best 10 wins in the A-Sun. The Ospreys return four of five starters and eight letterwinners from last year's squad including top scorers Parker Smith (12.0 ppg) and Jerron Granberry (12.0 ppg) and leading rebounder Andy Diaz (5.6 rpg). Overall, UNF returns 87 percent of its scoring and 90 percent of its rebounding from last year's squad. In addition, the Ospreys welcome a talented group of newcomers including a freshman and two sophomore transfers.
Season ticket information is available by contacting the UNF Athletic Ticket Office at (904) 620-BIRD (2473), via e-mail: Ospreytickets@unf.edu or by downloading the season ticket brochure (here)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After guiding the University of North Florida men's basketball team to a program first appearance in the Atlantic Sun Conference championship game, third-year head coach Matthew Driscoll has again put together a challenging schedule for the 2011-12 season that includes 14 regular season games at home in UNF Arena.
The Ospreys non-conference schedule is highlighted by games against teams from several high major conferences including the ACC (Miami, Virginia Tech), Big Ten (Ohio State), Big XII (Kansas State) and SEC (Alabama, Auburn, Florida). The '11-12 ledger also features five non-conference home tilts including games with solid mid-major programs like Wright State and Jackson State.
“As we move into our third year returning our core group of guys,” said Driscoll. “We are extremely excited about the schedule we have put together for this season. As usual, we will be challenged early and often by some very talented teams with the hope that it prepares us for what I feel like may be the most competitive mid-major league in America. Our schedule includes 10 teams that not only posted 20-win seasons, but also participated in postseason play. Florida advanced to the Elite 8 and Ohio State reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament while Alabama played in the championship game of the NIT. One of the most exciting things is that we will play six home games during the fall semester, a first for our program and a great opportunity to build some positive support and energy on campus and in the community.”
The season opens Nov. 1 with an exhibition game against in-state program Flagler before starting in earnest Nov. 11 at Alabama. UNF's official home debut comes Nov. 14 versus Savannah State before playing a three-game, five-day road stretch at Florida, Miami and Ohio State.
North Florida follows its opening road swing with a season-best four game homestand beginning Nov. 23 against Wright State. Other games during the stand include Jackson State (Nov. 25) and Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 29). The Ospreys close their homestand Dec. 3 against cross town rival Jacksonville, in their Atlantic Sun Conference opener and renewal of the SunTrust River City Rumble rivalry.
The month of December also features road contests at Kansas State (Dec. 11), Auburn (Dec. 17), Virginia Tech (Dec. 19) and Florida A&M (Dec. 21). After a short holiday break, UNF concludes the 2011 calendar year at home Dec. 30 against Palm Beach Atlantic.
The Ospreys ring in the New Year with a pair of A-Sun home games against Belmont (Jan. 2) and Lipscomb (Jan. 2). UNF's first road test of 2012 comes Jan. 7 against in-state foe Florida Gulf Coast followed by a Jan. 9 game at Stetson. North Florida then hosts USC Upstate (Jan. 14) and ETSU (Jan. 16) before ending the month with four straight road games – Mercer (Jan. 21), Kennesaw State (Jan. 23), Lipscomb (Jan. 28) and Belmont (Jan. 30).
UNF welcomes Stetson (Feb. 4) and FGCU (Feb. 6) to UNF Arena to tip-off the month of February. Games at ETSU (Feb. 11) and Upstate (Feb. 13) follow before the Ospreys close their home slate against Kennesaw State (Feb. 18) and Mercer (Feb. 20). The second game of the River City Rumble series against Jacksonville concludes UNF's regular season on Feb. 24.
The 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship Tournament is set for Feb. 29-Mar. 3 in Macon. Ga.
North Florida posted 15 victories last season matching a program record for wins and marking a new NCAA Division I era record. UNF also finished with a program best 10 wins in the A-Sun. The Ospreys return four of five starters and eight letterwinners from last year's squad including top scorers Parker Smith (12.0 ppg) and Jerron Granberry (12.0 ppg) and leading rebounder Andy Diaz (5.6 rpg). Overall, UNF returns 87 percent of its scoring and 90 percent of its rebounding from last year's squad. In addition, the Ospreys welcome a talented group of newcomers including a freshman and two sophomore transfers.
Season ticket information is available by contacting the UNF Athletic Ticket Office at (904) 620-BIRD (2473), via e-mail: Ospreytickets@unf.edu or by downloading the season ticket brochure (here)
Men's Basketball: 25-26 Intro Video
Wednesday, February 11
NORTH FLORIDA MEN'S BASKETBALL | Post Game Presser vs BELLARMINE
Saturday, January 24
NORTH FLORIDA MEN'S BASKETBALL | Post Game Presser vs EKU
Friday, January 23
NORTH FLORIDA MEN'S BASKETBALL | Exhibition Highlights vs Warner
Thursday, October 30
