AUGUSTA, Ga.-- With four national rankings and a ton of preseason accolades behind them, the sixth-ranked Augusta State Jaguars officially get down to business this weekend when they open the 2007-08 season at the UM Coca-Cola Classic in Montevallo, Ala.

The Jaguars are looking to ride the momentum created by the second-winningest season in school history in 2006-07 when they won 24 games, captured the Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

ASU split a pair of exhibition contests during this preseason, knocking off College of Charleston 65-63 in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 1 before falling 79-66 to Clemson on Nov. 6. The Jags were without the services of senior All-American forward Tyrekus “AJ” Bowman for both matchups. Bowman was cleared to resume practice on Tuesday, Nov. 6 and is expected to see significant playing time this weekend.

The Jags tip off their 2007-08 campaign with a quality opponent in Montevallo, an NCAA Tournament participant the last two seasons. The Falcons, who went 28-6 last season, are ranked No. 15 in the nation and were picked to win the Gulf South Conference’s East Division for the fourth consecutive year.

“Our goal is to keep the same underdog mentality that we had the last three years,” said fourth-year ASU head coach Dip Metress. “Even though we accomplished a lot last year, we will start out this year 0-0 and everyone we play against will have the national and conference preseason predictions hanging in their locker room.”

ASU and Montevallo will face off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday night in People’s Bank and Trust Arena on the campus of Montevallo. A live internet broadcast of the game is scheduled and can be accessed at www.montevallo.edu/athletics.  

The Jaguars will take on Florida Southern on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern during the second day of the tournament.

ASU makes its home debut on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Johnson C. Smith in Christenberry Fieldhouse.