LISLE, Ill. – The Benedictine University men's basketball team will open the 2010-2011 season tonight when they take on Illinois Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. in the Dan and Ada Rice Center. The game will be broadcast live by going to www.vidtechsportsvision.com.

The Eagles ended the 2009-2010 season with a 14-11 overall record. After graduating three key players from last season, head coach Keith Bunkenburg will look to his seniors to lead the team “on and off the court.”

“We need this year's group of seniors to be our most consistent players with their effort and leadership,” added Bunkenburg. “We will win if they truly want it bad enough.”

Illinois Wesleyan is coming off a 23-8 record last season and finished third in conference play. This season the Titans are ranked fourth in the D3hoops.com preseason poll after returning all five starters from last year.

“We need to have a great effort on defense and not turn the ball over on offense,” said Bunkenburg. “It doesn't matter who we play, our intensity must be consistent for 40 minutes.”

The Eagles and Titans tip-off at 7:00 p.m. following the BenU-IWU varsity reserve game. Every student in attendance will receive their official Eagles Nest T-shirt.