VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State University men's basketball team is set to travel to West Palm Beach, Florida to take on Lynn University and Palm Beach Atlantic in the Palm Beach Atlantic Thanksgiving Classic. The Blazers tip off against Lynn on Friday and PBA on Saturday at 4 p.m. 

2021-2022 Home Opener

The Blazers are entering the weekend coming off a 92-79 win against Clayton State last Tuesday. The team shot 50% from the field while Michael Cole, a transfer from Hillsborough Community College, and this week's Gulf South Conference player of the week, recorded a dominating season-high 29 points, went 13 of 17 from the field, picked up nine rebounds, two assists and one block, and went three of four in free throws. Jacolbey Owens went six of ten from the field and sunk one three-pointer in two attempts. He picked up a season-high 14 points and had two assists and three steals. 

vs. Lynn University

The Blazers are facing off against the fighting knights for the fifth time since 2010. Out of the four games, VSU holds a 4-0 record over Lynn and are 1-0 at neutral sites. The Blazers picked up a 101-93 win exactly five years ago in PBA's Thanksgiving Classic. Lynn enters the weekend undefeated with wins over Mississippi College, Florida Memorial and Eckerd on the year. The Fighting Knights were picked to finish fifth in the SSC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll. Christian Peevy leads the team, averaging 21.3 points per game, while Brandon Bornelus averages 11 points per game and has a 100% free throw percentage.  

vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

VSU will face off against the Sailfish for the third time since 2015. The Blazers picked up a 84-77 win on November 27, 2015, and the Sailfish brought another one back in their 95-86 win on November 27, 2016. PBA enters the weekend with a 2-2 record and 1-0 in conference play. The Sailfish will tip off against the University of Fort Lauderdale on Friday, before their meeting with VSU on Saturday. PBA was picked ninth in the SSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The team averages 74.5 points per game, 38.3 rebounds per game and 16 turn overs. PBA is led by Will Lee who has 51 points on the year and averages 12.8 points per game. Jalen Cooper leads the team in rebounds with 26, picking up eight offensive and 18 defensive rebounds in four games.

From head coach Mike Helfer

"Lynn has always been a great team in the South region and in the Sunshine conference." Helfer said on preparing for the weekend games. "They are very talented and play extremely hard.  Our preparation will focus on the challenge of being on the road against two very good teams.  We will need to be solid in all areas to compete for 40 minutes in both games."