Men's Basketball Celebrates 500th Game in Hanner Fieldhouse

STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern men’s basketball team will be playing their 500th game in Hanner Fieldhouse Monday night (Feb. 2) for a 7:30 p.m. tip off against Appalachian State.

Since the Eagles started play in the current arena in 1969, they have posted an impressive .713 wining percentage (356-143). Under Coach Jeff Price the Eagles have soared high with a record of 96-26.

Here are some of the highlights submitted. Thank you for your support and Georgia Southern Basketball will look forward to seeing you at Hanner Fieldhouse during this important stretch run.

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Johnny Mills’ program record 44 points versus Samford on January 27, 1973.

“I remember all the battles we had against Arkansas-Little Rock, Stetson and other rivals,” said head coach Jeff Price. “There were some great rivalry games and Hanner was packed. One memory I’ll never forget was after the 1983 title game at Arkansas-Little Rock. We hit a shot at the buzzer to win the title. When we arrived back at Hanner the place was packed. Our players got up and spoke to the crowd... it was just an amazing sight.”

“The 1992 TAAC Tournament Championship game beating Georgia State (95-82) to advance to the NCAA Tournament.”

“Beating Davidson to clinch the 2006 South Division title (and eventual number one seed in the SoCon Tournament).”

“Watching guys like Jeff Sanders, Michael Curry and C.Y. (Charlton Young) play.”

“Elton Nesbitt going off against Chattanooga and The Citadel in 2005.” ... Nesbitt hit a program record 11 3-pointers and 43 points in a 107-84 win over UTC (Jan. 17). Nesbitt then hit 10 ‘3s’ against The Citadel (Feb. 14) in a 115-81 victory.

“Playing in front of ESPN against East Tennessee State.”... The Eagles played SoCon rival East Tennessee State on ESPN2 in the regular season finale on February 26, 2005 and won 97-91.

“Who can forget the students throwing out rolls of toilet paper after our first score. I can’t remember was it the University or the NCAA that eventually put an end to it?!”

“Didn’t Billy Donovan coach a game in Hanner?” Yes, Florida head coach Billy Donovan (two-time National Champion), was the head coach at former SoCon member Marshall from 1994-96.

“We have had a lot of great wins since I’ve been here, too many to pick just one. But one thing just recently was the Davidson game. We had a standing room only crowd for the first time since I arrived. That’s a thrilling event for any athletic administrator, to see one of your buildings that packed.” Director of Athletics Sam Baker.

Category: Men's Basketball

Published on Monday, 02 February 2009 00:06