Aug. 16, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina will open its 2001-02 men's basketball season on November 19 versus Tennessee Wesleyan in the Ramsey Activity Center, announced head coach Steve Shurina.
Other home opponents prior to conference play include Toccoa Falls (Nov. 26), Emmanuel (Nov. 28), UNC Asheville (Dec. 1) and Guilford (Dec. 11). The Catamounts will travel to Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24), Stetson (Dec. 6), Florida State (Dec. 8), Kansas State (Dec. 19), Wichita State (Dec. 21) and Eastern Michigan (Dec. 29).
Western Carolina will open its Southern Conference portion of the schedule on Jan. 2 at VMI. In conference action, the Cats will face each SoCon North Division foe twice, once at home and once on the road. Teams in the SoCon North include Appalachian State, Davidson, East Tennessee State, UNC Greensboro and VMI. Versus SoCon South Division teams, Western host Furman, The Citadel and College of Charleston, while travelling to Georgia Southern, Wofford and Chattanooga.
The 2002 Southern Conference Championship will be played at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, S.C., from Feb. 23-Mar. 3.
"We have a very competitive schedule this year," Shurina said. "I wanted to give our team the best chance for success, while giving us a good challenge."
The Catamounts return all five starters from last season, including All-SoCon performer Cory Largent and the league's top shot blocker Rans Brempong. Also back are starters Casey Rogers, Willie Freeman and Kori Hatcher, along with reserve Emre Atsur. Top newcomers for 2001-02 include Kelvin Wylie -- a 6-7 senior who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules -- Alexander Osipovitch, Lamont Speaks, L.T. Lockett and Kevin Martin. Western begins practice on Oct. 13.
2001-02 Western Carolina University Men's Basketball Schedule
(Times and Dates Subject to Change)
Date Day Opponent Site Time Nov. 19 Monday Tennessee Wesleyan Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Nov. 24 Saturday at Coastal Carolina Conway, S.C. 7:30 pm Nov. 26 Monday Toccoa Falls Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Nov. 28 Wednesday Emmanuel Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Dec. 1 Saturday UNC Asheville Ramsey Activity Center 3:30 pm Dec. 6 Thursday at Stetson Deland, Fla. 7:10 pm Dec. 8 Saturday at Florida State Tallahassee, Fla. 2:00 pm Dec. 11 Tuesday Guilford Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Dec. 19 Wednesday at Kansas State Manhattan, Kan. 7:00 pm (CT) Dec. 21 Friday at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 pm (CT) Dec. 29 Saturday at Eastern Michigan Ypsilanti, Mich. 7:00 pm Jan. 2 Wednesday at VMI * Lexington, Va. 7:00 pm Jan. 5 Saturday Davidson * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Jan. 7 Monday Furman * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Jan. 12 Saturday The Citadel * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Jan. 14 Monday at Appalachian State Boone, N.C. 7:00 pm Jan. 19 Saturday UNC Greensboro * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Jan. 21 Monday at Georgia Southern * Statesboro, Ga. 7:30 pm Jan. 26 Saturday at Davidson * Davidson, N.C. 7:00 pm Jan. 28 Monday Appalachian State * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Feb. 2 Saturday at UNC Greensboro * Greensboro, N.C. 7:00 pm Feb. 4 Monday East Tennessee State * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Feb. 9 Saturday VMI * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Feb. 11 Monday College of Charleston * Ramsey Activity Center 7:00 pm Feb. 16 Saturday at East Tennessee State * Johnson City, Tenn. 4:00 pm Feb. 18 Monday at Wofford * Spartanburg, S.C. 7:00 pm Feb. 23 Saturday at Chattanooga * Chattanooga, Tenn. 7:00 pm Feb. 28-Mar. 3 at Southern Conference Championship Charleston, S.C. (Charleston Civic Center)
* - Southern Conference Game
