Trojans Open Season Friday at Ohio U.
10.28.2009
The Taylor University Men's Basketball team will open its season this Friday at 7 p.m. on the road in an exhibition contest at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. 
The NCAA Division I Bobcats are led by 1994 Taylor graduates John Groce (head coach) and Chris Holtmann (assistant coach). Groce and Holtmann have each served on Patterson's staff as an assistant coach at one point in their careers, and were teammates on Patterson's 1994 team that was ranked No. 1 in the country and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NAIA National Tournament.
The two will reunite with their alma mater and mentor on Friday at Ohio's 13,000-seat Convocation Center.
"I am looking forward to seeing John and Chris in action together," Patterson said. "They both made tremendous contributions to Taylor basketball while they were here and continue to do that by their example and professionalism in their work."
Taylor returns five lettermen from last season's 11-20 squad, but several freshmen will be called upon to play significant minutes for the new-look Trojans. The talented group of underclassmen includes three Hoosier Basketball Magazine Top 60 Showcase participants.
Groce returns two starters from last season's Ohio team that finished 15-17 overall and 7-9 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats are led by 2009 MAC All-Freshman selection Steven Coleman, who averaged 9.8 points per contest last season.
The Trojans will tip-off the regular season at home on Nov. 3 against Miami-Hamilton at 7 p.m. Four days later Taylor will play in its second exhibition contest against Butler University in historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.