Elon Men’s Basketball Opens Regular Season at Butler on Saturday

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University men’s basketball team opens its 2012-13 season on the road on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 10, as the Phoenix takes on the Butler Bulldogs in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Opening Games. Tip is set for 2 p.m. inside historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

THE SERIES: Saturday marks the second all-time meeting between Elon and Butler. The two teams met in Indianapolis on Dec. 19, 2005, as Butler came away with an 86-40 win. The two teams have one common opponent (UMass) scheduled this season.

LOOKING AHEAD: Following Saturday’s game at Butler, Elon returns to the friendly confines of Alumni Gym on Tuesday, Nov. 13, for its home opener versus Bridgewater. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

MAUI INVITATIONAL: Saturday’s game at Butler marks the first of three games for Elon as part of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. Elon will host the Regional Games on Nov. 17-18 in Alumni Gym when it welcomes Colgate, Florida Atlantic and Coppin State to campus. Elon faces Colgate on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m., while FAU takes on CSU a 4:30 p.m. A day later, Elon will play at 4:30 p.m. against either FAU or CSU in the championship or consolation game.

PRESEASON RANKINGS: Elon was predicted to finish 2/3 in the Southern Conference North Division in the preseason coaches/media polls. Jack Isenbarger earned preseason all-league honors after averaging 14.5 points per game last season. Isenbarger was a first-team all-conference selection last season and a third-team all-district honoree.

SEASON OPENERS: Elon is opening its season on the road for the seventh straight year. It marks the second straight season the Phoenix has played its first game against a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, as the team squared off against UMass in its season lid-lifter last year. Elon is 59-40 all-time in season openers (4-9 all-time in Division I era).