The Wilmington College men's basketball team travels to Division I Northern Kentucky 8 p.m. Friday for an exhibition game at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Kentucky.
SERIES: Although the game is an exhibition, and won't count in the record books, Northern Kentucky holds a 7-1 lead. The Norse won the final meeting (79-65) in 1992. Wilmington's lone win in the series came in WC's final season as a NAIA member, 1989. The Fightin' Quakers won 89-82.
SCOUTING THE NORSE: Northern Kentucky was picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League. For the first time since reclassifying to Division I four years ago, the Norse will be eligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament.
NKU returns three double-figure scorers from last season in Lavone Holland II (10.7 ppg), Drew McDonald (10.5) and Cole Murray (10.1). McDonald was one of the top freshmen in the Horizon, averaging 12.8 points and 7.7 rebounds in league play.
Murray was one of the nation's top three-point shooters a year ago, converting 45.3% (78-of-172) to finish ninth in the country.
PRESEASON POLL: Wilmington was picked to finish ninth in the coaches preseason poll. The Fightin' Quakers return three starters from last season's team that finished 5-19.
DUNK CHAMPION: For the second season in a row, sophomore Kevin Lewis electrified the crowd at Wilmington's Hermann Madness celebration. The 5-10 guard displayed his enormous jumping ability in claiming the contest.
UNCLE DREW: Sophomore Andrew Russell returns this season after starting in all 22 games he played. The forward missed the last two games of the season with an injury. He averaged 7.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in his starts.
JONES-ING: Junior Christian Jones is the top returning starter for the Fightin' Quakers, averaging 12.0 point last season. He capped the year by scoring 20 points in three consecutive games, including a career-high 26 against nationally-ranked Marietta.
WALK DOWN THE ILES: Junior point guard D.J. Iles is primed to take another step in his development. He averaged 10.7 points over the final 16 games of the season, and finished with 9.4 points, 3.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds.
WE ROLL DEEP: Wilmington will feature 10 to 13 players in its regular rotation this season.
WELCOME BACK: Sophomores Jordan Hecker and Kevin Lewis return to the team after missing all but nine games a season ago.
