BYU Hosts EA Sports All-Stars Tuesday

PROVO -- BYU's men's basketball team opens its exhibition season Tuesday when it hosts the EA Sports All-Stars at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

The All-Stars, comprised of former college players, opened their 11-game schedule with a five-point loss at Utah (72-67) Thursday followed by a five-point overtime defeat in Logan to Utah State (79-74). They then dropped a 112-96 contest at Arizona Sunday and play at Air Force Monday.

After facing BYU Tuesday, the All-Stars will play at Mountain West opponents Wyoming Wednesday and New Mexico Thursday.

The All-Stars' roster includes several players who played college basketball in Utah. Tony Harvey (G/F, 6-6) played two years for Utah and averaged 9.6 points and 2.6 assists as a senior in 1999-2000. Harvey played for the Las Vegas Bandits of the IBL last season. Bernard Rock (G, 5-11) and Maurice Spillers (G/F, 6-5) are former Utah State Aggies. Rock was a part of USU teams that went to the NCAAs the last two years. Brian Hammel is the head coach.

BYU returns seven lettermen from last year's 24-9 MWC title team. Senior Eric Nielsen is the lone starter returning. BYU coach Steve Cleveland is expected to go deep into his bench during the exhibition season, but will likely start seniors Nielsen (F, 6-9) and Matt Montague (G, 6-0) along with sophomores Mark Bigelow (F, 6-7), Daniel Bobik (G, 6-6) and Jon Carlisle (C, 6-10) on Tuesday.

BYU hosts the London Leopards Saturday at 7 p.m. in its second exhibition game before tipping off the regular season in San Diego on Nov. 17 against the University of San Diego.