Battle in the Blue Ridge Tournament Site

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Eastern Illinois men's basketball will be on the road for the Thanksgiving Holiday as it was announced on Wednesday that the Panthers will play in the four-team Battle in the Blue Ridge sponsored by visitcurrituckOBX.com.  The three-day event will be played at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, N.C.
 
Eastern Illinois will be joined in the field by Arkansas State, Gardner-Webb and North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW).   The Panthers will be facing Arkansas State for the ninth time in school history with EIU holding a 7-1 series advantage.  The two teams last played in November 2007 with ASU winning in Jonesboro, Arkansas.   This will be the first meeting against Gardner-Webb and UNCW.
 
EIU will open play in the event on Friday, Nov. 23 against GWU at 5 p.m.   EIU then faces ASU on Saturday at 5 p.m. and UNCW on Sunday at 1 p.m.   For more information on tickets call 1-800-745-3000 or visit www.uscellularcenterasheville.com
 
The Panthers advanced to the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last season finishing the year at 12-19 overall, 7-11 in the OVC.
 
Arkansas State was 11-21 last year, 6-12 in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
Gardner-Webb was 14-18 last season, 8-8 in the Big South Conference.
 
UNCW was 11-21 last year, 8-11 in the Colonial Athletic Conference.
 
Tournament Schedule (All times Eastern)