ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon men's basketball team will make its 2012-13 home debut this weekend when it hosts the 29th annual Gary Miller Classic Friday, November 23 and Saturday, November 24 at the Hammermill Center. Both Gannon games in the tournament can be heard live locally on Jet Radio 1400.
Friday's semifinal action kicks off with traditional NCAA Division II national power and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) member Virginia Union and NCAA Division II transitional member Daemen (N.Y.) at 5:30 p.m. Gannon entertains another NCAA Division II transitional member in Roberts Wesleyan during the nightcap at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket windows for Friday's semifinals open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for non-Gannon students and senior citizens.
All Gannon students are admitted free of charge by showing their school ID at the front door.
Gannon (2-0, 0-0) opened the 2012-13 campaign with a pair of victories at the PSAC-WVIAC
Conference Challenge hosted by Ohio Valley November 9-10. The Golden Knights have won their first two games five times during the last seven seasons.
Darrell Blanton was the main storyline of the conference challenge. The senior forward recorded 40 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and four steals during the weekend. His jumper with 28 seconds remaining in the opener against Glenville State snapped a 67-67 tie and propelled the Golden Knights to a 70-67 victory.
Gannon has lost two of its last three home openers. Daemen spoiled the party last season with a 67-65 victory during the opening round of the Gary Miller Classic. Urbana was the enemy during the 2009-10 home opener, dealing the Golden Knights a 73-43 defeat. In between, Gannon posted an 84-71 win against Cedarville during the 2010-11 home opener. The last four home openers have taken place during the semifinals of the Gary Miller Classic.
Roberts Wesleyan (1-1, 0-0) is in its second year of a four-year transition phase from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to NCAA Division II. The Raiders currently count as a Division II opponent on the strength of schedule, but won't officially become a full-fledged active member of NCAA Division II until 2014-15. Head coach Rob McCoy's club is no stranger to the Gary Miller Classic. Roberts Wesleyan is making a second consecutive tournament appearance, bringing its total Gary Miller Classic showings to six. The Raiders are 1-11 all-time in Gary Miller Classic play, falling to both Pitt-Johnstown (82-66) and Gannon (86-61) last year.
Roberts Wesleyan returns eight letterwinners and four starters from last year's 8-20 squad. The Raiders dropped a 65-45 decision to Daemen during the first round of the American Mideast Conference (AMC) Tournament last year.
Virginia Union (0-1) opened its schedule November 10 with a 71-69 home loss to King (Tenn.) and has been off for 13 days. The Panthers shot 50 percent from the field, but were on the wrong end of 23-6 turnover difference.
Gannon fans remember Virginia Union's last trip to the Hammermill Center during the 1991 Porreco Cup. Ranked No. 1 nationally at the time, the Panthers fell 54-51 in the title game on Juan Rankin's long three-pointer at the buzzer before winning the NCAA Division II national championship that season.
Daemen (7-2) is the defending Gary Miller Classic champion after a great run last year. The Wildcats opened the 2011 edition with a 67-65 victory against Gannon, before claiming the title with a 72-65 decision against Pitt-Johnstown.
Head Coach Don Silveri has been a coaching legend, compiling 543 victories during his 36 years on the sideline. He has 373 of those wins as a Wildcat.
Daemen is in its first year of a four-year transition phase from NAIA to NCAA Division II.
Gannon will attempt to win its fifth Gary Miller Classic title in the last seven years and 11th in the last 14. The Golden Knights have won 16 Gary Miller Classic titles overall and are 41-9 in tournament play. The program is 21-4 all-time in the first round.
