Storylines – vs.Urbana University

The Urbana Blue Knights enter into Saturday's contest against the Cavaliers posting a 0-3 record with the team's most recent loss to Hillsdale College, 87-54, on Tuesday night. Urbana went 21-for-55 (.382) from the field, led by junior forward Malik Jacobs who scored 20 points against Hillsdale. Jacobs made 8-of-9 shots on the nights, hitting 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Through Urbana's first three contests, the Blue Knights have shot 64-for-168 (.381) from the field, hitting 29-of-79 (.367) three-pointers, and made 26-of-35 (.743) free throw shots. Jacobs leads Urbana in scoring with 48 points off of 18-for-31 shooting (.581) and serves as the Blue Knights leading rebounder, accounting for 23 of Urbana's 96 total rebounds. Senior guard Carlas Jackson follows Jacobs in scoring with 30 points so far this season, making just 8-of-37 (.261) shots and going 8-for-9 (.889) at the free throw line. Nick Dials takes over the head coaching duties at Urbana this season after being selected to the position this past summer. Dials became the 10th head coach in program history with his most recent position serving on the men's basketball staff at the University of Toledo. The Blue Knights completed their 2016-17 campaign going 12-17 overall and 7-15 in the Mountain East Conference. Urbana would see their season come to a close after being ousted by the University of Charleston, 76-62, in the first round of the MEC Tournament. The Blue Knights were picked to finish last in this year's preseason poll, receiving 14 votes. Following their Saturday afternoon contest with UVa-Wise, Urbana will have home-court advantage for its next two conference matchups against Concord University and West Liberty.

About UVa-Wise

After dropping Wednesday night's game to Carson-Newman, men's basketball will attempt to get its first win of the season as the Cavaliers open up conference play on the road against Urbana University on Saturday.  UVa-Wise was routed by the Eagles, 88-65, in the Cavs first home game of the 2017-18 campaign. Carson-Newman shot an impressive 30-for-59 from the field as the team grabbed 41 boards in their third win of the season. The Eagles' were led in scoring by senior guard Charles Clark who had 20 points along with six rebounds and four assists. Senior forward Taiwo Badmus ended the night with 24 points off of 7-for-18 shooting, going 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. Sophomore point guard Michal Seals leads the Cavaliers in scoring so far this season with 44 points, followed by Badmus who has 34 points through three games.