Junior Yves Mekongo Mbala

Aug. 26, 2008

Philadelphia, PA- The La Salle University men's basketball team will participate in the Paradise Jam Tournament, host ACC power Florida State, Big East foe Villanova and battle a full complement of Atlantic 10 and Big 5 opponents during the 2008-09 season.

The non-conference schedule will feature the Explorers' third visit to the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in which they will open with Top-25 team Connecticut and could face NCAA Tourney teams Miami, Wisconsin, or San Diego among potential opponents in the three-game format. 

Also exciting for Explorer fans will be the hosting of Florida State from the A.C.C. - whom the Explorers battled to the wire a season ago in Tallahassee - and Big 5 rival Villanova out of the Big East.   Both games will be played in Tom Gola Arena on

La Salle's campus.

In addition to their annual showdown with Saint Joseph's - which is traditionally played at The Palestra but will be considered La Salle's home game this season - the Explorers will square off against Atlantic 10 Champion and neighbor Temple, N.I.T. finalist Massachusetts, and perennial conference frontrunner George Washington two times each during conference play.

The Explorers will also travel to Charlotte, Saint Louis and 2008 NCAA Elite Eight participant Xavier among others while hosting Dayton, Duquesne and Fordham.

The schedule of televised games has not yet been completed but will be announced when finalized. 

All game dates are tentative and subject to change to accommodate television or other outside circumstances.  Game times to be announced at a later date.