MOBILE, Ala. — The South Alabama men’s basketball team will take part in the 2012 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society announced this week.
The event’s four regional hosts are BYU, Florida State, Notre Dame and Saint Joseph’s, with play beginning Nov. 9. The championship rounds are scheduled for Nov. 16-17 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
South Alabama’s Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Schedule
South Alabama opens its season Nov. 9 at regional host Florida State. After a home game against William Carey, the Jaguars travel to Atlanta for three sub-regional games:
- Nov. 19 — Tennessee State, 3 p.m. CST
- Nov. 20 — Monmouth, 3 p.m. CST
- Nov. 21 — Georgia State, 2 p.m. CST
The Opponents
Tennessee State returns four starters from a team that won 20 games last season and finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Monmouth went 12-20 overall last season and 10-8 in the Northeast Conference.
Georgia State finished 22-12 last season but lost four starters and seven letterwinners.
Lady Jaguars Open Practice
South Alabama women’s basketball coach Rick Pietri said he is pleased with the Lady Jaguars’ first practices of the 2012-13 season.
“I think our first two practices have been good,” Pietri said. “It appears that from top to bottom this group is in good shape from a conditioning standpoint.”
Pietri said that for the first time since he arrived, the team was able to scrimmage five-on-five during the closing segments of practice. He said the team has shown promise offensively and would turn its attention to defense later in the week.
“I’m encouraged, but of course there’s a long way to go,” Pietri said.
Both South Alabama basketball teams compete in the Sun Belt Conference and play home games at the Mitchell Center.
