The University of Southern Indiana men's basketball team and head coach Rick Herdes will tip-off the 2003-04 exhibition schedule with a trip to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to play Bruce Pearl's Panthers on November 1. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. at the Klotsche Athletic Center in Milwaukee.

"This will be a great game for the fans," said Herdes. "Bruce (Pearl) remains a fan favorite in Evansville and I look forward to playing a Division I opponent. I want to personally thank coach Pearl for giving us the opportunity to bridge the gap between Division I and Division II play."

"What fans will need to remember is that this is an exhibition game. Both teams will have had only two-and-a-half weeks of practice," continued Herdes. "These types of games are designed to give my staff a good idea of what we need to work on to be ready for the start of the regular season."

The November 1 match-up with UW-Milwaukee will be the first game with a Division I team since 1992-93 when USI traveled to the University of Missouri during the regular season.

"I am aware of the challenges USI faces in scheduling, especially with Division I opponents," Pearl said. "No one in their right mind would play them, especially this year when they have a chance to compete for the national championship.

"But no one has ever accused me of being in my right mind," Pearl continued. "My players have no idea of the talent level they will see or how well-prepared their opponent will be."

In exhibition games since 1990, the Eagles are 13-4 and were 2-0 last year. USI defeated the Tornatta Stars, 116-82, and the Akron Wingfoots, 117-72, last November.

The Eagles also announced a change exhibition schedule. The USI exhibition match-up with Kentucky Christian College has been cancelled.