Game Notes
The Allegheny men's basketball team will make its second trip in four years to Daytona Beach, Fla., to take part in the 2009 Land of Magic Classic, hosted by Embry-Riddle. In the process, the Gators will establish new histories with opponents Wartburg and Carroll.
Allegheny (4-3, 1-0 NCAC) will take on Wartburg in its first game at the classic, which is scheduled to take place on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. The Knights (5-3, 1-1 IIAC) will meet Embry-Riddle on Dec. 28 before their meeting the Gators.
Wartburg, which has won 21 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships, is coached by two-time IIAC Coach of the Year Dick Peth. As a program, the Knights have reached the D-III Elite 8 (1986-87) and Sweet 16 (1990-91). They will also become Allegheny's first-ever opponent out of the IIAC.
The Gators will battle Carroll on Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. Members of the Midwest Conference, the Pioneers (4-3, 1-1 MWC) have made two recent NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2006-07. Carroll, which is coached by David Buchanan, will open up its play at the classic against Ursinus on Dec. 29.
Allegheny's matchup with Carroll will be only its second contest against a team from the MWC -- the previous being a 69-57 loss to Lawrence at the 2006 Land of Magic Classic. Also in 2006, the Gators also fell to Mary Washington, 68-61, at the classic.
Seniors George Raftis and Craig Devinney will have the opportunity to move up the all-time career rankings in a number statistical categories.
Raftis has risen to 19th place all-time with 1,046 points as a Gator. He trails Dave Contardi (1977-81) and Casey McCloskey (2003-07), who share 17th with 1,056 points. Raftis is also seventh with 597 rebounds -- 20 behind Ben Schulz (617 in 1994-98) and 30 behind Brian Stadnik (627 in 1982-87).
Devinney, who is ranked 10th all-time with 115 three-pointers, trails Matt Magnusen by one (116 in 2000-04), Nick Catanzarite by seven (122 in 1999-03), Jake Delsandro by eight (1996-00) and Rich Seidel by 11 (126 in 1985-88).