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EASTERN ILLINOIS vs. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

Nov. 12, 2010 • 7 p.m. (CST)
Lantz Arena • Charleston, Ill.
Radio: None (due to women's game on Hit Mix 88.9 FM) 
TV: WEIU

GAME 1
Eastern Illinois opens the 2010-11 season on Friday night hosting South Dakota State. This will be only the second time since 2002 that the Panthers have opened a season at Lantz Arena. The last time was in 2007 with a 85-63 win over Harris-Stowe. The last time that EIU opened the season at Lantz Arena against a NCAA Division I opponent was 1993 when the Panthers beat Indiana State 81-76.

EIU-SDSU SERIES
This will be the first meeting between Eastern Illinois and South Dakota State. The two teams will be playing a home-and-home series this season with the Panthers making a return trip to Brookings, S.D., on Nov. 27. South Dakota State plays as a member of the Summit League which EIU was a formerly a member of when it was called the Mid-Continent Conference. EIU was a member of that league from its founding until 1996.

SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
The Jackrabbits enter the game having won their lone exhibition game against Dakota State, 82-63, on November 1. Four SDSU players scored in double figures with sophomore Nate Wolters leading the team with 14 points. The team features three seniors with two of them starters in Dale Moss and Clint Sargent. South Dakota State was picked to finish third in the Summit League race. SDSU was 14-16 last season, 10-8 in the Summit League.

PANTHERS PICKED THIRD IN OVC RACE
Eastern Illinois was picked to finish third in the preseason Ohio Valley Conference poll released in late October. The Panthers have also been picked to finish third by many preseason publications. EIU finished at 19-12 last season, 11-7 in the OVC. EIU won its first round OVC Tournament game with Eastern Kentucky before falling in the OVC semifinals, 55-51, to Murray State. The Racers have been picked as the preseason OVC favorites.

EASTERN ILLINOIS at BALL STATE

Nov. 14, 2010 • 2 p.m. (CST) 
Worthen Arena • Muncie, Ind.
Radio: Hit Mix 88.9 FM  (Listen Live)
LIVE STATS

GAME 2
Eastern Illinois plays at Ball State on Sunday afternoon as the Panthers face a road heavy November schedule. This will be the start of an in-season home-and-home series with the Cardinals. EIU will be on the road for four of its first six games. EIU opened the 2008 season with a loss at Ball State.

EIU-BALL STATE SERIES
This will be the 19th meeting between EIU and BSU. Ball State leads the all-time series 14-4 including a 72-59 win on Nov. 15, 2008 in Muncie. The Cardinals will make the return trip to Charleston on Dec. 8 to complete the home-and-home schedule. EIU will also play at Mid-American Conference member Western Michigan later this year.

SCOUTING BALL STATE
This Cardinals return 10 players from last year's squad that posted a 15-15 record. Ball State did not play an exhibition game this fall. The team was the best in the Mid-American Conference in defense last season holding teams to just 62 points and 40 percent shooting from the field. Junior forward Jarrod Jones was named to the MAC preseason team.