FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.-The Lee University men's basketball team (21-8) will face an old GSC rival when they are pitted against conference and tournament champion University of West Georgia (26-5) in the opening round of the NCAA DII South Regional Tournament on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The eight-team event is being hosted by top-seeded Nova Southeastern University (27-2).

This year, the NCAA Championships Pass will stream 120 DII men's and women's basketball tournament games (all games from first round through quarterfinals) live on NCAA.com. Games will be available on NCAA.com (https://www.ncaa.com/), school sites that stream through Hudl and opt to co-distribute the live streams, and the NCAA Championships Pass app available for Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV.

Prices for viewing (first round through quarterfinals)

• $9.95 per game

• $29.95 per championship

• $49.95 for all games

HOW TO LISTEN TO FLAMES

Fans can tune into the Lee Sports Network for free and listen as Carman Lastoria handles the play-by-play duties. To listen to the audio broadcast, you can go directly to Live Buzz 101.3 FM or go to Lee women's basketball website, click on the game, and broadcast button.

TOURNAMENT TICKETS     

General Seating 

Tickets for General Admission in all sections are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and kids. Fans will have access to all games that day. 

Students Day Pass (with a valid student ID) - $7

All-Tournament Pass - Adults $30 and $20 for Seniors and Kids.

REGIONAL SCHEDULE

12 noon - Clark Atlanta vs Florida Southern

2:30 – Lee vs West Georgia

5:00 – Benedict vs Nova Southeastern

7:30 – Embry-Riddle vs Alabama-Huntsville

EXCITING GROUP TO FOLLOW

The Flames were eliminated in the semifinal round of the GSC tournament after a record-setting five overtime loss to rival Alabama Huntsville. Beyuan Hendricks continued his fine play in the tournament and was named to the first team all-tournament team. He enters the South Regional action averaging 17.5 ppg and is shooting 48% from the field. JJ Barnes will be going against his old teammates and is averaging just over 12 points per game and almost five rebounds per outing. Noah Boler-Kyle is pouring in 11.4 ppg and is the team's leading rebounder 6.3. Tim Vaughn rounds out the team's double-digit scoring, averaging an even 10 points per game and four rebounds. In the final regular season meeting between the Flames and Wolves, Tariq Daughton hit a 3-point shot at the buzzer to give Lee a thrilling 58-57 victory.

JACKSON KEEPS WOLVES HOWLING

The GSC regular season and tournament MVP, Zawdie Jackson will take the Wolves into the Regional play against the Flames. The durable Jackson averages over 35 minutes per game and 22 points per contest. He also joins his backcourt teammate Camron Donatian in leading the Wolves in steals (46). Jackson gets his teammates involved with 170 assists while Donatian scores at a 16.5 points per game clip. The Wolves average better than 81 points per game but like the Flames, are known for their defensive play. They hold opponents to less than 70 points per game. Kolten Griffin, like Jackson, has started all 31 games this year and leads the team by averaging seven rebounds per game. The Wolves outrebound their opponents 39-34 but shoot 48% from the field and limit opponents to under 38% shooting overall.

COACH BUBBA SMITH'S THOUGHTS

"We are excited that we get to extend our season in the NCAA Tournament. It's a testament to the consistent body of work our guys have put in over the course of the season. 

"From where we started and having to fill in some key pieces from last year's team, I'm really proud of what this team has accomplished. 

"We are obviously facing a familiar opponent in West Georgia, who has been the most consistent team in the GSC all season long. But this is a new season and you have to go in to this game as if we haven't seen our opponent before. Same sense of urgency in how we practice and prepare. 

"I'm excited for our guys and our seniors who have qualified for four NCAA Tournaments in the last five years.  It's been a special run that we hope to continue for a few more weeks."