The Crusaders head on the road to face #12 ranked Lee University Flames tomorrow night. The Flames enter the season 1-0 on the year having won at Bryan College by nine points in a close battle. Lee is coming off a 28-8 season last year and an Elite 8 appearance at the NAIA National Tournament. Following the tournament, they were ranked #12 in the post-season ranking and find themselves in a similar slot to start the 2010-11 campaign. Last year, the Crusaders split with the Flames defeating them at their place in their home-opener and losing at home. 

The Crusaders are 0-1 on the season having lost a tough home-opener to Bryan College. During that game the Crusaders missed 12 free throws in the second half and failed to make defensive stops in the second half and got outrebounded.

                                                                       

Lee is paced by senior, All-American Jerrell Blocker and all-tournament selection Rico Cunningham. Blocker will play on the wing and provide a scoring punch while Lee looks to use Rico's athleticism to create offense, throw lobs and crash the glass. The starting five is rounded out by senior sharpshooter, Stephen McLellan, solid point-guard Brice Sharp and juco transfer, Johnny Godette. McLellan knocked down 4 3's at Bryan and is their best shooter. Sharp executes the offense and doesn't make offense while Godette provides a physical, undersized presence around the glass.

Off the bench, the Flames look to DI-transfer, Patrick Shaughnessy and Ceda Ilic to man the middle. Both provide good size and a presence in the middle. Roy McFadgon is an explosive athlete who will look to provide an instant scoring punch. Matt Stillwell is another shooter that the Crusaders must defend. Freshman, Justin Maxwell provides additional depth and size running the point at 6'5". Versatile, Tedrick Hardy didn't see action versus Bryan and is a solid contributor.

Coach Lee on Lee: "Coach Brown has done an excellent job of recruiting and putting another formidable lineup on the court following the loss of their seniors and transfers. Offensively, they are loaded with numerous options and will be one of the most athletic squads we will face. The history and tradition of this game make it is an enormous rivalry game. We have respect for what and who they are as a program. We expect to see their best effort tomorrow and to be playing in front of raucous crowd."

 Tip-off is set for 7:00pm.