CONWAY, S.C. — Trips to national powers Florida and Georgetown highlight the 2002-03 Coastal Carolina University Men's Basketball schedule released Friday afternoon by Head Coach Pete Strickland.

CCU begins the season with six of its first eight games on the road. After opening on the road with five straight road games -- Western Carolina (Nov. 22), Florida (Nov. 24), South Carolina State (Nov. 26), Campbell (Nov. 30) and Georgetown (Dec. 2)-- the Chants return to Kimbel Arena for their home opener on Dec. 7 to face Navy.

"The challenges of playing at Florida and at Georgetown in our schedule will keep our guys on their toes in the pre-season, knowing that they will have to be ready to play early in the season", said coach Strickland.

The Chants will close out the 2002 calender year with a matchup against Clemson on New Year's Eve. The game will be played in Anderson, S.C., at the Anderson Civic Center, the site of the Chanticleers' 1991 Big South Championship. The game was move from Clemson due to the renovations currently taking place in Littlejohn Coliseum.

This year's squad returns all five starters from last season's 8-20 squad, as well as the return of the 2000-01 Big South Conference Player-of-the-Year senior Torrey Butler, who missed last season due to a mid-foot sprain.

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