Game Notes
Happy Osborne recalls the days when the Kentucky Wesleyan men's basketball team would consistently sell out the Sportscenter and make it one of the hardest places to play in all of Division II.
Now in his third year as the Panthers' head coach, Osborne's goal is to help guide the eight-time national champions back to that point. He knows it will take some time, but Osborne is confident the program is headed in the right direction.
With his team ranked No. 18 in the country and a matchup against G-MAC foe Trevecca Nazarene looming Friday, Osborne said now is the perfect time for fans to start filling the Sportscenter once again.
"We need to pack our place," Osborne said. "I believe we can put 5,000 people in the Sportscenter, and Friday night would be a great time to do it. I'd like to encourage every person that loves basketball — if you're not going to a game, we need you. We need our town.
"We're in the Top 25 in the country, we're playing for first place in our league and there's only one high school game in town. Kentucky and Louisville aren't playing, either, so we could really use all the help we can get."
The Panthers (20-3, 6-1 in G-MAC) are coming off of a 101-67 thrashing of Central State on Wednesday, and KWC will have the chance to avenge a one-point loss to the Trojans (11-11, 6-1) from earlier this season in Nashville.
The first matchup of the year was originally set for Owensboro, but poor travel conditions initially postponed the game, and Osborne opted to later play the contest on the road due to a prior booking at the Sportscenter. Instead of returning home with a win, KWC allowed the Trojans to shoot 59 percent in the second half on the way to a 73-72 victory.
With the Panthers, Trevecca and Alderson Broaddus sitting in a three-way tie for the conference lead, Osborne called Friday's rematch "crucial" and noted the lift that a rowdy crowd would provide his squad.
"Our crowd is already good, and we draw almost better than any Division II team in the country, but I want to fill it," Osborne said. "I think our kids have earned the support. They play hard, and our crowd can make a difference. We need a loud, crazy place Friday night. If you need tickets, call me, we'll figure out something. If not, get to the game, because we need you."
Meanwhile, the Trojans will trot out a starting lineup featuring 6-foot guard Byron Sanford (19.9 points, 8.0 rebounds), 6-10 center Matt Gamberoni (11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds), 5-10 guard Jalen Palm (9.2 points), 6-4 guard Tyrell Corlew (8.6 points) and 6-4 guard Percy Blade (6.2 points).
"I think they're the best offensive team in our league, and we've got to go out there and guard them," Osborne said. "There are people that think if they win the league that Sanford will be player of the year. The guy that's killed us has been Tyrell Corlew. Jalen Palm is a good player, and last game Gamberoni whipped us inside in the last five minutes. We can't let that happen again."
The G-MAC regular season winner is automatically designated the conference tournament host, and Osborne referred to the last two seasons in which Alderson Broaddus won both the regular season and the tournament — besting KWC in the tournament title game both years.
"Friday's game helps us host the conference tournament," Osborne said. "I like to think hosting it is an advantage, and it certainly has been the last two years in Philippi, West Virginia. We've been right to the wire both times. I'd like to have played both of those at home, and this is a step towards that.
"We need to get this one, or it really increases the chances of playing the conference tournament in Nashville. I want to play it in Owensboro, and I think great crowd support can make that happen."
The men's game will follow the KWC women (13-7, 6-3) against Trevecca (5-14, 4-5) at 5:30 p.m. All tickets to Friday's doubleheader are just $5 each, and the night's festivities will include giveaways, entertainment and more. Attendance for kids ages 12-and-under is free.
"Whatever we can do to be a part of this community and show people what we can do, we'll do it," Osborne said. "At the end of the day, I think this town backs winners. We know what we've got to do. I think when people see our guys work and see our guys hustle, that they will respond to that. These are good guys, and they really, really would appreciate that support."
