October 13, 2000

FURMAN TO OPEN PRE-SEASON
BASKETBALL PRACTICE SATURDAY MORNING

GREENVILLE -- The Furman University men's and women's basketball teams tip off pre-season practice Saturday morning beginning at 9:30 p.m. at Timmons Arena.

Furman's men's squad returns four starters and eight lettermen off last year's 14-18 squad that advanced to the semi-finals of the Southern Conference Tournament. The Lady Paladins return four starters and seven letterwinners off last year's league tournament championship squad that posted a 20-7 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Sophomore forward Karim Souchu, who recently was named conference pre-season player-of-the-year by Basketball News, headlines the Paladins after averaging a team leading 15.8 ppg and 7.4 rpg a year ago. The Lady Paladins, who lost two-time conference player-of-the-year forward Jackie Smith to graduation, are led by senior forward Kena Hodges (10.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg).

Furman's men's team opens the 2000-01 season at home versus Atlanta Christian on Nov. 18. The Lady Paladins, meanwhile, tip off their season against league foe Western Carolina on Nov. 21 in Greenville.