NABC Classic Comes to Madison
November 15, 2002 | Men's Basketball
The Wisconsin men's basketball team hosts the four-team NABC Classic this weekend at the Kohl Center. The two-day, doubleheader action starts tonight at 6 p.m. when Northern Illinois takes on Winthrop. In the second game, Wisconsin tips off approximately a half hour after the first game against Eastern Washington. There will be a short ceremony commemorating last year's Big Ten Champions prior to the Badgers' game.
The Badgers enter the regular season coming off a 2-0 preseason stint. This will be the first time Wisconsin hosts the NABC Classic and its second time playing in the Classic. In 1999 the Badgers lost the title game to Syracuse on its home floor. Wisconsin will be the first Big Ten team to open regular season play in 2002.
Friday night's game against Eastern Washington will mark the first meeting between the two teams. However, the Eagles are no stranger to season-opening upsets. EWU opened the 2001-02 schedule with a stunning 68-67 victory over a St. Joseph 's squad that was ranked 10th in the nation at the time.
The Eagles were one game away from going to the NCAA tournament in 2001 and are picked to win the Big Sky Conference this season. EWU finished the 2001-02 campaign with a 17-13 record. Third-year coach Ray Giacoletti returns nine letter-winners and three starters from last year's squad.
Big Sky Player of the Year candidate Chris Hester is back after being named conference Newcomer of the Year in 2001-02. The senior forward is the leading returning scorer after scoring at a 13.5 clip a year ago. Also returning for the Eagles is Big Sky Freshman of the Year Marc Axton and the 2001-02 conference Defensive Player of the Year Alvin Snow, who averaged 11 points and two steals a game last year.
In the first game of the NABC Classic four-time defending Big South Conference Champion Winthrop plays Northern Illinois from the MAC Conference. Winthrop has gone to the NCAA tournament four-consecutive seasons, but lost eight of 13 scholarship players from the 2001-02 squad. Tyrone Walker averaged 11 points per game and Pierre Wooten scored nine a game for team that went 19-12 last year.
Taking on the Eagles in the opening game is a Northern Illinois squad that finished 12-16 a year ago. The Huskies return four starters from 2001-02, including leading scorer Marcus Smallwood who averaged 12 points per game. On the Northern Illinois bench is a familiar face to the Big Ten, as longtime Illinois assistant Rob Judson is now the Huskies head coach. Judson is in his second season with Northern Illinois.
The NABC Classic will be played using three experimental rules. The three-point line is moved back nine inches to 20 feet, six inches. There will also be adjustments to the free-throw lane. The lane will be widened by two feet on each side and the free-throw lane block will be moved to eight feet from the end line and be a true neutral zone. The new dimensions will be marked by the white tape on the Kohl Center floor.
The consolation game and NABC Classic championship will be played Saturday night starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are still available for both Friday and Saturday night's sessions. For tickets log on to www.uwbadgers.com or call 1-800-GOBADGERS.
