Jan. 27, 2004

Army vs. Navy. Need we say more?

Possibly the greatest overall rivalry in college athletics will take center stage at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md., Friday on the Patriot League's nationally-televised "Game of the Week" schedule. It will be the second of six-straight Friday Night "Game of the Week" broadcasts on DIRECTV (channel 615). The game will also be available worldwide on the Armed Forces Network.

Returning for his second season as the play-by-play commentator for the men's and women's games will be Bob Socci. John Feinstein, author of The Last Amateurs and numerous other best-sellers, will handle the color commentary duties for the men's games for the third year, while Jody Lavin Patrick returns for a third season as color analyst for the women's contests. Jim Satalin will serve as analyst for the Feb. 6 Lafayette at Colgate match-up.

The Patriot League's seventh year of producing men's and women's basketball games for television returns to DIRECTV for a second season (channel 615). All League-produced games will be available to DIRECTV's more than 12 million customers. The 11-game schedule will feature six consecutive Friday night men's national telecasts, all four Patriot League Tournament semifinal games on March 7 (two women's and two men's) and the PL Women's Championship Game (March 10). Friday night broadcast start times are scheduled for 8 p.m. (EST). The women's title tilt is slated to tip off at 5 p.m.

While the team records are not impressive, the team statistics indicate a close battle in this intense rivalry is likely.

Army has struggled at times this season on the offensive end of the court, averaging just 51.1 points per outing. But Navy has been inconsistent defensively and ranks eighth in the League in points allowed (75.7). The Mids' offense has been strong at times (58.4), but the gritty Army defense ranks third in the League (63.2).

The Black Knights (4-13, 1-4 PL) gave second-year coach Jim Crews his first League victory by surprising Colgate on Jan. 17, 60-51. Several times in January, Army opened the game will five freshmen on the court. Only one player, Fr. G Matt Bell (Kokomo, Ind.), the second-leading scorer on the team (7.3 pts.), has started all 17 games this season. Leading the Black Knights is Sr. F Josh Wilson (Little Rock, Ark.) with 11.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest.

Navy (3-15, 0-5 PL), which played in the Patriot League Championship game just three short seasons ago, will be looking to snap a six-game losing streak Friday. The Midshipmen, under veteran coach Don DeVoe, have won 14-straight games against Army in games played in Annapolis and lead the all-time series, 62-36. Soph. G David Hooper (Dale City, Va.), Sr. G Jeff Charles (Montclair, Va.) and Fr. F Carlton Baldwin (Lusby, Md.) lead the Navy attack. Hooper, a member of the 2003 PL All-Rookie team, leads the team in scoring (9.8) and rebounding (4.6) while Charles (9.5 pts., 3.9 rebs.) and Baldwin (9.0 pts., 4.4 rebs.) balance the court.

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The Patriot League, an NCAA Division I athletics conference founded on the principle of admitting athletes who are academically representative of their class, is in its second decade of academic and athletic excellence. Participation in intercollegiate athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of the undergraduate experience. A successful Division I-AA football conference since 1986 and an all-sport conference since 1990, membership includes American, Army, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh and Navy, while six additional institutions hold associate membership. Patriot League member institutions are among the oldest and most prestigious in the nation, graduating alumni who are well prepared for life with the ability to make meaningful contributions to their community and society in general. In the most recent NCAA Graduation Rate Report of student-athletes, the Patriot League ranked FIRST among NCAA Division I conferences.

2004 Patriot League Basketball -- National TV Schedule Games Broadcast on DIRECTV Channel 615, CSTV, ESPN2, WFMZ-69

Day, Date Schools Start Time Channel Friday, Jan. 30, 2004 Army at Navy 8 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band Armed Forces TV

Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 Lafayette at Colgate 8 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band WFMZ-69

Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004 Army at Holy Cross (Women) 2 p.m. ESPN2

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 American at Lehigh 8 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band WFMZ-69

Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 Holy Cross at American 8 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band

Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 Bucknell at Holy Cross 8 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 15 - KU Band

The 2004 Patriot League Basketball Tournament Sunday, March 7, 2004 Women's Semifinal Game noon DIRECTV 615 Winner of #2 vs. #7 / Winner of #3 vs. #6 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band

Sunday, March 7, 2004 Women's Semifinal Game 25 min. after noon game DIRECTV 615 Winner of #1 vs. #8 / Winner of #4 vs. #5 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band

Sunday, March 7, 2004 Men's Semifinal Game 5 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Winner of #1 vs. #8 / Winner of #4 vs. #5 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band

Sunday, March 7, 2004 Men's Semifinal Game 25 min. after 5 p.m. game DIRECTV 615 Winner of #2 vs. #7 / Winner of #3 vs. #6 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 Women's Championship - at highest seed 7 p.m. DIRECTV 615 Satellite AMC 9, Transponder 17 - KU Band

Sunday, March 14, 2004 Men's Championship - at highest seed noon ESPN2 - 30 -