Oct. 20, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team has begun its official practice schedule in preparation for the upcoming 2008-09 season. The Owls are under the direction of first-year head coach Mike Jarvis, who has made 14 postseason tournament appearances in 18 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

Jarvis fields a team that returns its top three scorers from a year ago, including three-time all-conference power forward Carlos Monroe. Numerous publications, including Lindy's Magazine and The USA Today have tabbed Monroe as the projected `Player of the Year' in the Sun Belt Conference.

Monroe is part of an accomplished senior class. Point-guard Carderro Nwoji, the league's top returning assist man, and high-scoring swingman Paul Graham III offer Jarvis a combination of talent and experience in the backcourt positions.

The Sun Belt Conference coaches picked the Owls to finish fourth in the league's East Division behind Western Kentucky University, the University of South Alabama and preseason league-favorite Middle Tennessee State University.

The first chance to watch the 2008-09 team in action is Wednesday night, November 5 when the Owls host an exhibition game against Lynn University. The official season-opener is scheduled for Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m. at the FAU Arena, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus.

Season tickets are available for the 14-game regular season for $120. Single game tickets are on sale for as low as $5, general admission seats are $12, and reserved seats are being sold for $18. For more information on purchasing tickets, call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.