Lexington, Ky. - The Transylvania University men's basketball team prepares to open the seventh annual Don Lane Classic presented by Kentucky Health Administrators on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 20-21 at the Beck Center.
Joining the host Transylvania Pioneers for the annual installment of the winter classic are the Lynchburg College Hornets, the Huntingdon College Hawks, and the Ohio Northern University Polar Bears for the two-day bracket-style tournament held in Lexington.
"It should be an exciting two days of basketball," commented Transylvania head coach Brian Lane on the tournament named for his father, legendary Transylvania head coach Don Lane who won 509 games as the head coach of the Pioneers from 1976 through 2001.
"We're excited to greet the teams who are coming," continued Lane. "Lynchburg has received some votes this year in the D3Hoops.com Top 25 polls, and there are some former coaches and graduates with connection to Ohio Northern who are based in Lexington who will get a look at them, and we're excited to get things going with Huntingdon."
The tournament tips off on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. with a showdown between Transylvania and Huntingdon, a member of the USA South Conference. The Pioneers are pursuing their fifth championship in the tournament's seven-year history.
In the Day 1 nightcap, Ohio Northern faces Lynchburg as the respective members from the Ohio Athletic Conference and Old Dominion Athletic Conference square off.
For the first time ever, Transylvania has partnered with Kentucky Health Administrators as the title sponsor of the Don Lane Classic tournament.
"Having Kentucky Health Administrators join us as part of the tournament this season has elevated our tournament even more," added Lane. "There's continually growing excitement for the Don Lane Classic and they will add to it."
Wednesday's action begins with the consolation matchup at 3:00 p.m., followed by the championship game of the Don Lane Classic scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start at the Beck Center.
All four games will be broadcast on the Transy Sports Network, accessible online at portal.stretchinternet.com/transy. Media links are also available below and via the tournament central webpage.
Also joining the Transy Sports Network for Transylvania's two contests will be legendary broadcaster Kenny Rice, whose local knowledge of the Lexington basketball scene along with his national work with ESPN and NBC Sports will provide a multidimensional dynamic to the tournament and for viewers at home.
Said a tongue-in-cheek Lane on Rice's tournament appearance: "Kenny has been a longtime supporter of our program and has even traveled with us to Arizona, Florida, and other holiday events in the past. I'm sure outside of broadcasting the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby this past year, doing the Don Lane Classic will be a highlight of his career."
All four games will have live commentary provided on the Transy Sports Network.
Admission for the tournament is $7 for adults per day, and $5 for students per day. A 2-day pass for the whole tournament is also available for $10. Those who provide a Transylvania-issued crimson card and children ages 4 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the Beck Center front lobby on the day of game.
As the seventh annual tournament draws near, the Pioneers are expecting to offer a little something for everyone on-and-off the court.
"Lexington is a terrific place to be able to come and take your team for the holidays," added Lane. "They'll be treated first-class whether it's staying at a fantastic host hotel like Marriott Griffin Gate and having a courtesy car provided by the Lexus store of Lexington for each coach. When those teams go out in Lexington, there's excitement surrounding them throughout the week."
For more information on Transylvania men's basketball, follow their official twitter @TransyHoops
Tournament Central – CLICK HERE
