August 25, 1999
Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN ANNOUNCES 1999-00 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE;
PALADINS TO PLAY AT LEAST FIVE GAMES AT BI-LO CENTER

GREENVILLE -- Games against Mississippi and Clemson in the Bi-Lo Center, a home game against Georgia, and contests against South Carolina and Minnesota highlight Furman University's 1999-00 basketball schedule, which was released today by head coach Larry Davis.

Furman will take on Mississippi on Nov. 26 in the first round of Greenville's three-day SoCon Holiday Hoops Classic, which will also feature Clemson, Central Florida, Old Dominion, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Oregon State, and South Carolina State. A little over a week later, the Paladins will travel to Columbia to play long-time rival South Carolina on Dec. 4 before returning to host Georgia in Timmons Arena on Dec. 6 in the Bulldogs' first trip to Greenville in 22 years.

Furman and Clemson will close out almost a century of basketball for the two schools when they square off in the Bi-Lo Center on Dec. 30. Furman was Clemson's first opponent in basketball when the two schools met for the first time on Jan. 18, 1913, in a game won by the Tigers, 46-12. Last year the Tigers defeated the Paladins 67-54 in the first basketball contest played in the Bi-Lo Center.

"This is a very challenging schedule that will hopefully bring out the best in our young basketball team," said Larry Davis Wednesday afternoon. "The field in the SoCon Holiday Hoops Classic is very strong, so we know we'll face a quality opponent every time out, and our games against South Carolina, Georgia, and Minnesota will be tough tests, as will all of our conference games, both home and away."

The Paladins open the 2000 Southern Conference basketball schedule on Jan. 3 against Georgia Southern in Statesboro and play their first home league game against Davidson on Jan. 10.

Furman will join Greenville in hosting this season's Southern Conference Basketball Tournament at the Bi-Lo Center from Mar. 2-5. Prior to coming to Greenville for the 2000 and 2001 seasons, the Southern Conference Tournament had been held in Greensboro. N.C. The last time Greenville hosted the league tournament was 1976.

In all, the Paladins will play a minimum of five games in the 14,897-seat Bi-Lo, including three contests in the SoCon Holiday Hoops Classic, a single game against Clemson, and at least one Southern Conference Tournament contest.

1999-00 Furman Basketball Schedule