COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University men's basketball team will tip off the 2021-22 season this weekend, playing in the 45 Second Classic hosted by Barton College in Wilson, N.C.

The Cougars' season-opener will be against the hosts, Barton, on Friday at 7 p.m. CSU will have a quick turnaround, taking on the University of Mount Olive on Saturday at 11 a.m. Both games will be played in the Wilson Gymnasium. 

Columbus State fans can listen to the games live on 88.5 WCUG Cougar Radio with Hall of Fame broadcaster Scott Miller on the call.

Game Info
Opponent: Barton College ('20-21: 4-10, 4-10 Conference Carolinas)
Date: Friday, Nov. 12
Time: 7 PM
Location: Wilson, N.C. (Wilson Gymnasium)
Coverage: Audio | Stats | Video
Tickets: Admission Information

Series History
Overall: CSU leads 1-0
Streak: CSU W1
Last Meeting: CSU 86-73 in Wilson (11/8/19)
In Wilson: CSU leads 1-0

About Barton
2020-21 Record: 4-10, 4-10 CC
  (4-3 H, 0-7 A)
Streak: L5
Last Result: L 103-96 OT, vs. Lees-McRae College (02/26/21)
NABC Coaches Rankings: NR
D2SIDA Rankings: NR
Head Coach: Ron Lievense (34th season, 514-405, .559%)  
   (at BC: 26th season, 454-258, .638%)
Leading Scorer from 20-21: Isaiah Reddish, 23.2 ppg
Leading Rebounder from 20-21: Isaiah Reddish, 9.8 reb/g 

Barton Notes
• Barton was picked ninth in the preseason Conference Carolinas coaches poll
• The Bulldogs return three starters from last season, including Marcus Boykin. Boykin averaged 11.8 and 6.2 rebounds in 12 games in 2020-21 
• All four of Barton's wins last year came at Wilson Gymnasium. BC has dropped the last two home games played in Wilson, though 
• Barton struggled on the defensive end last season, surrendering 81.5 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 39.1% from 3-point range. Both marks ranked near the bottom in the CC 
• Barton has a proud history, posting three 20-plus win seasons over the past five full seasons. The Bulldogs won the 2007 DII national championship under the guidance of Ron Lievense 

Game Info
Opponent: University of Mount Olive ('20-21: 5-10, 5-9 CC)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 13
Time: 11 AM
Location: Wilson, N.C. (Wilson Gymnasium)
Coverage: Audio | Stats | Video
Tickets: Admission Information

Series History
Overall: UMO leads 1-0
Streak: UMO W1
Last Meeting: UMO 107-102 (OT) in Wilson (11/9/19)
On Neutral Court: MHC leads 1-0

About Mount Olive
2020-21 Record: 5-10, 5-9 CC
  (4-3 H, 1-7 A)
Streak: L3
Last Result: L 63-61, at Belmont Abbey College (03/02/21 - CC Tournament Quarterfinals)
NABC Coaches Rankings: NR
D2SIDA Rankings: NR
Head Coach: Joey Higginbotham (14th season, 220-147, .599%)
Leading Scorer from 20-21: Johnny Hughes III, 18.4 ppg
Leading Rebounder from 20-21: Johnny Hughes III, 7.7 reb/g 

Mount Olive Notes
• The Trojans were picked seventh in the preseason CC coaches poll
• Alan Treakle (10.9 ppg) and Darius Spragley (10.4 ppg) are the top two returning scorers for UMO
• Mount Olive led CC in scoring defense in 2020-21, holding opponents to just 71.3 points per game
• UMO dropped an exhibition game to High Point University 95-70 on Nov. 4. Ryan Archey had a team-high 10 points. Mount Olive shot 14.3% (5-for-35) from 3-point range
• UMO is 2-10 in its last 12 games away from its home court
• Mount Olive is looking to advance to its first NCAA Tournament since 2015 when the Trojans advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight

About Columbus State
2020-21 Record: 5-7, 5-6 Peach Belt Conference
  (3-3 H, 2-4 A)
Streak: L1
Last Result: L 86-83 (OT), at College of Charleston (02/20/21)
NABC Coaches Rankings: NR
D2SIDA Rankings: NR
Head Coach: Robert Moore (12th season, 164-132, .554%)
Leading Scorer from 20-21: Hunter Preston, 14.2 ppg
Leading Rebounder from 20-21: Anthony Moore, 8.4 reb/g 

Cougar Notes
• The Cougars were selected fifth in the preseason PBC coaches poll
• CSU has plenty of experience on its roster, returning seven of the top nine players in minutes played from last season 
• Despite being selected fifth in the preseason poll, Columbus State was the only school to have two players named to the preseason All-PBC team. Hunter Preston (14.2 ppg, 6.5 rebs/g) is back for his third season after leading CSU in scoring, while transfer Langston Gaither (21.3 ppg) adds more firepower to the Cougars rotation 
• The Cougars have lost nine of its last 13 road games dating back to the 2019-20 season
• Columbus State is in search of its first overall PBC regular-season championship since the 2005-06 season.