ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s basketball team makes its much-anticipated return to Alumni Gym on Monday night, Nov. 4, when the Phoenix welcomes Lynchburg to campus for a 7 p.m. exhibition game.
PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS: Elon was predicted to finish first in both Southern Conference Preseason polls this year. Lucas Troutman, Jack Isenbarger and Ryley Beaumont were named to the preseason all-conference team.
LOOKING BACK: Elon finished last season with a 21-12 record en route to the Southern Conference North Division title. The Phoenix made its first postseason appearance at the Division I level after earning a trip to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).
LOOKING AHEAD: Following Monday’s exhibition game, the Phoenix returns to Alumni Gym for Opening Night on Friday at 7:30 p.m. versus Washington & Lee.
HEAD COACH MATT MATHENY: Matt Matheny is in his fifth season as the Elon head men’s basketball coach. The 2013 Southern Conference Coach of the Year by the media, Matheny enters the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 59-68.
RETURNERS: Elon returns all five starters from last year’s squad in Lucas Troutman, Ryley Beaumont, Jack Isenbarger, Sebastian Koch and Austin Hamilton. In all, the maroon and gold returns 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad.
ELON VS. LYNCHBURG: Elon and Lynchburg have a lengthy history heading into Monday’s exhibition game. In regular season play, the two schools have met 32 times. Elon leads the series 23-9. The most recent meeting between Elon and Lynchburg came during the 2011-12 season, as the Phoenix claimed a 109-67 win on Dec. 11, 2011.