No. 2 Augusta hosts Emory for preseason exhibition contest
By Carlos Rodriguez | Sports editor
The Augusta University men’s basketball team will host Emory University on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 5:30 p.m. at Christenberry Fieldhouse for a preseason exhibition game.
Fans will be able to see the Jaguars for the first time this season following last season’s historic championship run. The Jags had a program best 33 wins in 37 games. They won the Peach Belt Conference with a 15-3 mark, won the post-season conference tourney and edged Queens in the regional final.
Emory is an NCAA Division III school out of Atlanta that competes in the University Athletic Association, with schools like NYU, the University of Chicago and Washington University (of St. Louis). The Eagles are coached by former Davidson standout and assistant coach Jason Zimmerman, who has had 20-win seasons in seven of the last nine years. Under Zimmerman, Emory has been to the Division III Sweet 16 four times and the Elite Eight once.
“We’re ready to lace them back up and get going,” said AU center Tyshaun Crawford. “To be able to start the season at home is going to be fun. I can’t wait to see the support.”
AU’s volleyball team has two matches against Young Harris at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., right before the men’s basketball, so the men’s basketball game will follow shortly after.
The NCAA released the NABC Division II preseason poll this past Wednesday (Nov. 2) with the Jaguars coming into the season ranked No. 2 behind defending champion Northwest Missouri State.
“Being No. 2 is great,” said Crawford. “We worked hard last year, and that’s just a reminder that we have to keep working because other teams see it and want to knock us off.”
That same day the Peach Belt Conference released the preaseason coaches poll and preseason All-Conference team.
Augusta received the maximum points possible as they were unanimously chosen to repeat as the 2022-23 PBC champion. Columbus State followed behind the Jaguars at No. 2, USC Aiken and Lander were tied for third, and Clayton State rounded out the top five.
Seniors Miguel Arnold and Tyshaun Crawford were both named to the preseason All-Conference team. They joined North Georgia’s Frank Champion, USC Aiken’s Tehree Horn and Clayton State’s Jalen Shaw.
“It’s always great to be recognized,” said Crawford. “I’m always thankful for the accolade but I know I have to keep my head down and work every day.”
The Jags will tip off the official season next weekend at the Pickle Classic hosted by the University of Mount Olive. On Friday, Nov. 11, they’ll play Mount Olive at 7 p.m., then play Barton College on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m.
Contact Carlos Rodriguez at carrodriguez@augusta.edu.
AU’s Tyshaun Crawford (0) shows his post moves; Crawford has been named preseason all-Peach Belt. At the top of the page, sharpshooter Miguel Arnold (5) launches a trey for the Jaguars; he too is a preseason all-conference selection. (file photos)
