November 23, 2008
COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University will play at the University of Kentucky from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in men's basketball Monday night, November 24, at 7 p.m. at venerable Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The Lancers (3-2) and Wildcats (1-2) are meeting for the first-time ever in the second round of the Findlay Toyota/Las Vegas Invitational. Longwood is coached by sixth-year head coach Mike Gillian, and will be led by 6-5, 225-pound redshirt-junior guard/forward Dana Smith who is averaging 14.0 points and 6.4 rebounds. Kentucky is coached by second-year head coach Billy Gillispie and is led by 6-4 junior guard Jodie Meeks (26.7 points, 5.0 rebounds). The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net South TV [DIRECTV 648, DISH Network 420], and can be heard locally on Kickin' Country 92.9 FM as well as on the Internet via TEAMLINE [link at lower right].
Series History
Longwood and Kentucky are meeting for the first-time ever in the sport of men's basketball. The Lancers are also playing a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for the first-time ever, though will play at Florida (1.6.09) as well this season. The two schools, however, have played each other in women's basketball as the host Wildcats won by a score of 79-41 during the 2004-05 season (1.4.05).
A Look At Kentucky
Kentucky has a record of 1-2 after a 71-42 home win past Delaware State University on Saturday (11.22). The Wildcats are coached by second-year head coach Billy Gillispie (Texas State '83; 119-73, 7th year). Kentucky finished 18-13 a year ago, including 12-4 in the SEC for second place in the East Division. The Wildcats are led by junior Jodie Meeks (G, 6-4, 208) along with sophomore Patrick Patterson (F, 6-9, 235) and junior Ramon Harris (F, 6-7, 218). Meeks averages 26.7 points, including 22 against DSU, while Patterson and Harris add 12.0 and 11.7 points, respectively.
Findlay Toyota/Las Vegas Invitational
Longwood is participating in the exempt four-game Findlay Toyota/Las Vegas Invitational November 20-29. The first two games of the event will be on the road at West Virginia (11.20), and at Kentucky (11.24); before playing two games at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada against Southeast Missouri State (11.28) and either Delaware State or Oakland (11.29). Also playing in the eight-team tournament are Iowa and Kansas State.
A Look At Longwood
Longwood has a record of 3-2 after a 61-49 road win at Maryland-Eastern Shore on Saturday (11.22), its best start since first playing a Division I schedule in 2004-05. The Lancers were led by junior Kevin Swecker with a season-high 17 points, including 3-5 three-point field goals and 6-6 free throws. Senior captain Ryan Bogan had 12 points, while redshirt-junior captain Dana Smith scored nine points against the Hawks. LU made 17-20 free throws in the contest, including 9-11 during the final 1:24 to secure the road victory. The Lancers are playing their sixth game in 11 days to open this season, and their third road game in the past five days.
The Unkind Road
Longwood has traveled to 24 different states and Washington, D.C. while playing 76 games away from Farmville during the last four years, including 64 true road games (4-60). The Lancers' favorite states to visit since 2004-05 include North Carolina (7) and Nevada (4) along with the District of Columbia (4). Longwood's record is 3-9 in the 12 neutral-site games.
