HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University's men's basketball team will take to the court for an exhibition game with nearby foe Wilmington College on Friday night at BB&T Arena.
 
Game Information
Northern Kentucky University Norse (2015-16: 9-21 Overall, 5-13 Horizon League)
Wilmington College Quakers (2015-16: 5-19 Overall, 4-14 OAC)
Friday, Nov. 4 - 8:00 p.m. (ET)
BB&T Arena (9,400) in Highland Heights, Ky.
 
Fast Break Points
• After a four-year reclassification process, NKU is eligible to compete for a berth in the NCAA tourney after receiving active status from the NCAA in August.
• NKU was picked to finish 7th in the Horizon League this season in the preseason poll.
• NKU exceeded the last year's preseason poll, finishing eighth after being picked 10th.
• NKU returns three double-figure scorers from last season: Lavone Holland II (10.7 ppg), Drew McDonald (10.5) & Cole Murray (10.1).
• Although Friday's exhibition doesn't count in the record books, NKU holds a 7-1 mark all-time against Wilmington.
•  The Norse have seven returning players and welcome eight new faces to the team.
• NKU's recruiting class earned praise as "one of the best mid-major classes in the country for the class of 2016" by Next Up Recruits.
• McDonald was named to the #HLMBB all-freshman team after averaging 12.8 points & 7.7 boards with five double-doubles in league play.
• McDonald was also a two-time #HLMBB Freshman of the Week recipient and reached double-figures in 16 of NKU's last 21 games.
• Murray was one of the nation's top 3-point shooters a year ago, converting 45.3% (78-of-172) to finish No. 9 in the country.
• Holland II was third on the team in scoring (10.7 ppg) and rebounds (4.7 rpg), but led NKU in assists (4.0 apg).
• F Jordan Garnett started 26 games for NKU last season, playing 19.8 minutes per game.
• F Carson Williams is Kentucky's reigning Mr. Basketball player and was named a 3-star recruit by ESPN.
• G Mason Faulkner was one of three finalists for Kentucky's Mr. Basketball award, joining Williams and Xavier's Quentin Goodin.
• F Dantez Walton was Ohio's D-III Player of the Year. He and high-school teammate G Tre Cobbs won two state titles together.
• G Blake Spellman won the DiRenna Award as the best player in the area surrounding Kansas City.
• NKU also welcomed F Jalen Tate and G Brandon Maxwell to the fold as part of its incoming class.