Emory Men's Basketball Opens 2009-10 Season

GAME FACTS -  The Emory University men's basketball team opens the program's 24^th  year of intercollegiate competition on Thursday (Nov. 19) when it plays at Oglethorpe University.  Action at  Pinholster Court on the OU campus begins at 7:30 p.m. Following their encounter with Oglethorpe, the Eagles' next action takes place at Huntingdon College on Tuesday, Nov. 24, in an 8:00 p.m. (CST) tip.

 THE COACHES - Leading the Emory program is third-year Head Coach Jason Zimmerman (Davidson, '94)  Named head coach in April of 2007, Zimmerman came to Emory after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Evansville (2003-04 through 2006-07).  Prior to his stint with the Aces, Zimmerman was an assistant at Davidson College for seven years (1996-97 through 2002-03).

Phil Ponder (LaGrange College) begins his seventh season as head coach of Oglethorpe. Last season, he guided the Stormy Petrels to a 16-10 record, the program's second-consecutive 16-win campaign.  

2008-09 RECORDS - Emory closed out last year with an overall record of 7-18.  The Eagles came out on the short end of five games that were decided by five or fewer points and another that went into overtime.  Emory returns 11 letterwinners from that squad including fourth-year seniors Anthony Fernandez (14.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Daniel Curtin (9.4 ppg), along with Chad Hixon (9.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg), a senior who is in his second year with the program.  The Eagles return 82.8 percent of their scoring and 74.1 percent of their rebounding totals from last year.

Oglethorpe finished last season with an overall slate of 16-10 and chalked up a 12-2 mark in contests played on its home floor.  The Stormy Petrels are ranked 31^st in the D3hoops.com Preseason Poll.  Oglethorpe has all five returning starters back in the fold along with 99 percent of its scoring and rebounding back from a year ago.

Emory's Top Offensive Scoring Efforts Under Zimmerman  

SERIES RECORDS -  In a series that began in 1987, Oglethorpe holds a 24-21 edge over Emory.
The teams split a pair of meetings last year with Oglethorpe claiming an 89-81 overtime decision on its home court before Emory answered with an 89-83 triumph at the Woodruff PE Center.  Oglethorpe has captured 17 of 23 contests against Emory on its home floor.

Emory and Oglethorpe will meet again on Dec. 7 at the Woodruff PE Center.

EMORY AND SEASON OPENERS - Emory posts a 13-10 all-time mark in season-opening games and will be looking to snap a four-game losing skid in such contests when it battles Oglethorpe. 

CURTIN AND FERNANDEZ MOST EXPERIENCED EAGLES - Heading into the 2009-10 season, seniors Daniel Curtin and Anthony Fernandez claim the most experience on this year's roster.  Fernandez has played in 58 contests, 37 as a starter, and has averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per outing.  Fernandez paced the 2008-09 team in point production with a 14.0 per-game effort and was second in rebounding (4.9 rpg).  He has scored in double figures on 34 occasions.

Curtin seen action in 50 games and posts a 9.2 per-game scoring average.  The 6-foot Curtin has 83 three-point field goals to his credit, good for 12^th place on the school's all-time chart.  In addition, he has recorded 10 or more points on 20 occasions.