RALEIGH, N.C. – The Eastern Kentucky University men's basketball team will open the 2020-21 season versus North Florida on Wednesday at the Mako Medical Wolfpack Invitational. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET from N.C. State's Reynolds Coliseum.
 
Neither of EKU's games at the Mako Medical Wolfpack Invitational will be streamed; however, Greg Stotelmyer's live radio broadcast of the games will be available in the Richmond area on WCYO-100.7 FM, and can be heard worldwide on EKUSports.com. Live stats will also be available.
 
 
WHAT TO KNOW
 
EKU returns four of five starters from a team that won 12 OVC games last season.
 
Junior guard Jomaru Brown and junior forward Tre King were named to the Preseason All-OVC Team earlier this month. Brown – a 2020 first team All-OVC selection – averaged 18.4 points-per-game last season. King – a 2020 second team All-OVC performer – posted 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds-per-game a year ago.
 
The Colonels have been picked to finish fourth in the OVC this season.
 
A.W. Hamilton – the 2020 OVC Coach of the Year – has instilled an up-tempo offense and pressure defense in his two years at EKU. The Colonels finished last season ranked fifth in the country in turnovers forced/game (18.27), seventh in steals/game (9.3) and 10^th in turnover margin (+4.3). 
 
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
 
North Florida went 21-12 (13-3 ASUN) and won a share of the ASUN regular season championship last season.
 
The Ospreys, however, lost four of five starters from last year's squad. UNF has been picked to finish fourth in the ASUN this season.
 
The one returning starter is forward Carter Hendricksen, a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Hendricksen averaged 14.9 points and 7.1 rebounds-per-game a year ago.
 
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels will have Thanksgiving Day off, before returning to action on Friday to play Charleston Southern at 2:00 p.m. ET.