Oct. 8, 2008

Greenville, S.C. - The Furman men's basketball team has added contests at Southeastern Conference foe South Carolina and Ivy League member Dartmouth to its 2008-09 schedule, it was announced this week by Paladin head coach Jeff Jackson.

The Paladins' December 5, visit to the Colonial Life Arena at 8 p.m. will mark the 123rd renewal of the series between Furman and South Carolina, but will be the first time the schools have met since the Gamecocks claimed a 75-68 victory in Columbia during the 1999-2000 campaign. As part of a two-for-one contract, Furman will travel to South Carolina again during the 2009-10 season before the Paladins host the Gamecocks in 2010-11. South Carolina holds a 70-52 advantage in the all-time series versus the Paladins.

Dartmouth will entertain Furman in Hanover, N.H., on November 25, at 7 p.m. following the Paladins' visit to Pittsburgh, Pa., to face the Duquesne Dukes on November 23. It will mark the second meeting with the Big Green as Dartmouth downed Furman 63-59 at Timmons Arena on December 29, 2002.

Furman will not be participating in the Iowa Realty Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa, as originally scheduled.

The Paladins open the 2008-09 season hosting Newberry in an exhibition game on November 7, before opening the regular season at Timmons Arena on November 14, versus Emory.