Sunday, March 14, 2010

            JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 14, 2010) - The ETSU men's basketball team has its assignment, and once again the Buccaneers will play the role of David versus one of the NCAA's Goliaths.

During Sunday evening's live CBS Selection Show, the Buccaneers and the rest of the nation learned that ETSU has received a No. 16 seed in this week's NCAA Tournament and will face off with top-seeded Kentucky on Thursday in New Orleans. Tip time is set for 7:15 p.m. (EST).

Over 1,000 ETSU fans gathered inside the Millennium Center to learn of the Bucs' matchup for the tournament.

"We obviously expected to face one of the top four or five teams in the country, and Kentucky certainly fits that description," said ETSU head coach Murry Bartow. "They have two of the best big men around, and arguably the best player in the country in John Wall. To say we will have our work cut out for us would be an understatement, but we are going to scrap and compete. It's a special opportunity anytime you play in the NCAA Tournament."

The Bucs (20-14) enter the tournament as champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference, while the Wildcats (32-2) are champions of the Southeastern Conference. The Bucs are 0-2 all-time against Kentucky, having played the Wildcats in 1981 and 1985.

For more on the Bucs as they prepare for the NCAAs, visit ETSUBucs.com throughout the tournament. For detailed information on ETSU's team and the 2009-10 season, click on the men's basketball link at ETSUBucs.com.

For ticket information, call the ETSU ticket office at 423-439-ETSU (3878).