Oct. 18, 2006

Schedule | Season Ticket Info

ESPNU Broadcast Schedule

CSTV Broadcast Schedule

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The 2006-07 edition of the Navy men's basketball team kicked off its season last Friday with the first practice of the season. Head coach Billy Lange returns seven letterwinners, including four starters, and welcomed six newcomers to the first day of practice.

"There is just a lot of excitement from our players during the first week," said Lange. "We have a lot of new players that are excited to finally start, and some old players that are taking on new roles, so they are excited for that. Right now, we are just getting used to playing with each other in our system. It's a good group of guys and they are improving everyday."

The group of six freshmen has adjusted nicely to college basketball, according to Lange.

"They are adjusting very well and getting used to the speed and talent in the college game," added Lange. "They are a very coachable group of guys that want to learn. I have been most impressed with their willingness to learn. They are a very proud group and really want to help us to where we want to go. They will be a great addition to this year's team."

The Mids will open the season in the 2KSports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic against Loyola (Md.) at 6:00 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 10, in Queens, N.Y. Navy will then play either North Florida or St. John's, on Nov. 11, at a time to be determined.

Navy Schedule Finalized
The Navy men's basketball schedule with times and television appearances has been finalized. The Mids will appear on television at least four times this season, with games possibly being picked up down the road. The Mids will battle 2006 NCAA Tournament participant, Penn, on Dec. 7, in Alumni Hall, beginning at 8:00 p.m. That game will be carried nationally by CSTV.

Three of Navy's 14 Patriot League games will be televised, beginning with the Mids' contest at Army on Jan. 21. Navy and the Black Knights will meet at noon in front of an ESPNU national audience. Navy's contest in Alumni Hall with two-time defending league champion, Bucknell, will be aired on Friday, Feb. 2, at 9:00 p.m., also on ESPNU.

Navy's last televised game will come in the annual Star Game against Army from Alumni Hall on Feb. 17, at 1:00 p.m. CBS will televise the 116th meeting, and the 84th Star Game, between the two teams. Navy will be searching for its 50th victory in the Star Game series as it leads the Black Knights, 49-34. The Mids have won the last four Star Games, and 23 of the last 26.

The Mids could also appear on television if they advance out of the New York Regional in the 2KSports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Navy would have to beat Loyola (Md.) and either North Florida or St. John's to reach the semifinals and finals, which will be aired by ESPN2 on Nov. 16-17 from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Preaseason Publications Tab Navy Seventh
Navy has been picked seventh by three different publications in preseason polls. Street & Smith's College Basketball Preview, The Sporting News 2006-07 Basketball Preview and Athlon Sports College Basketball Preview have all tabbed the Midshipmen seventh in the Patriot League standings. All three publications cite Navy's backcourt as a strength and inexperience as a weakness. The top four in each magazine are Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lehigh and American.

Junior guard / forward Greg Sprink (Cardiff, Calif.) was named a preseason All-Conference first-team selection by The Sporting News. Sprink was Navy's leading scorer and rebounder a year ago with a 14.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg average. He is the second-leading returning scorer and eighth-leading returning rebounder in the league. Sprink ranked in the top 11 in five different statistical categories last year.

# GO NAVY #