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The Lee men's basketball team will officially get the 2019-20 season underway on Friday and Saturday when they travel to Carrollton, Georgia and to the campus of the University of West Georgia to take part in the annual GSC/SSC Challenge. The Flames will be pitted against Palm Beach Atlantic University on Friday at 5:30 and return to action on Saturday at 4 p.m. and face Embry-Riddle University.
 
Said Coach Bubba Smith:
"Our team is looking forward to opening up this weekend.  We feel like we've improved this week in practice.  Our exhibition against Tennessee Wesleyan was good for our team. It was a great environment, and to be able to play in front of a big crowd this early in the season is always special.  I don't think we were satisfied with our effort and execution for 40 minutes.  When we were committed to things we work on every day, we were really good.  Doing that consistently is the challenge, but it's also a part of early November basketball."
 
About the Opponents:
In the GSC/SSC Challenge last year, the Flames lost to Embry-Riddle, 74-72 and to Palm Beach, 86-82.
"We know these teams from last season and had chances to win both in the last minute," noted Coach Smith. I know those games are two our veteran players wish they could have back. We're looking forward to playing on a neutral court against two quality opponents who are well coached. Our team will be ready!"
 
Palm Beach posted a 12-8 SSC record last year and finished 15-14 overall. The Sailfish are picked to finish sixth in the SSC, which is considered by many to be tops in NCAA II. PBA will likely be led by senior guard De'Ondre Jackson, junior forward Jules Jasmin, senior forward Malek Barber, plus some incoming transfers.
 
Embry-Riddle was a power against NAIA competition, but is in only its second year as a full member of NCAA II and the Sunshine State Conference. The Eagles return 1,000-point scorer Luka Majstorovic for his senior campaign along with junior guards Tylin Lockett-Fuller and Elijah Jenkins. Transfer Romeo Crouch and freshmen Dru Nickson, DeJean Desiré and Makerere Williams make up this year's incoming recruiting class, while Chris Murray, Cj Henagan and Nick Heard each embark on their sophomore campaigns.
 
UP Next:
The Flames will return to Walker Arena on Wednesday and will host Brescia University (Kentucky) at 8 p.m. They will be on the road to battle King University on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Lee begins GSC play at Auburn Montgomery, Nov. 23 (2 p.m.) and will invite Shorter University to Walker Arena, Nov. 25 (8 p.m.)