2011 CIS men’s basketball player of the year Tyson Hinz will not suit-up for the defending champions first four exhibition games.
Hinz is currently on duty with the Canadian national team that will compete at 26th Summer Universiade games in Shenzhen, China.
The tournament runs from August 12-23, meaning Hinz will miss games against La Salle University Explorers, Illinois State University Redbirds, University of Central Florida Knights, and University of Akron Zips.
The 2010-11 player-of-the-year will make his season debut on August 25 as the Ravens host the University of Albany Great Danes.
The 2011 NCAA schedule will also see the defending champs host the Saint Louis University Billikens, Niagara University Purple Eagles and the University of California Santa Barbara Gauchos.
“That changes how we approach the games,” said Ravens head coach Dave Smart,. “The first four games we’ll play as development games. The last five games we’ll take more from a win-lose perspective.”
Teammate Cole Hobin, a first-team all-defensive player is also a member of the Universiade squad and will miss the first four games.
Both players were key to the Ravens championships season.
