That's not the only benefit - NKU is pocketing more than $30,000 along the way.

NKU athletic director Jane Meier said Kentucky and Ohio State paid $15,000 each, and Cincinnati gave the Norse 1,000 tickets to sell.

"The first year we played (Cincinnati), we sold almost all our tickets," Meier said. "It's been a little less since then, with 400 to 500 last year, but I think we started to sell more after the UK game."

NKU led powerhouse Kentucky by as many as eight points in the first half of the team's Nov. 3 exhibition at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats won 91-73.

Last year, the third straight season NKU traveled across the river to play at Shoemaker Center, the university garnered $5,000 in the men's only preseason game.

Under new coach Dave Bezold, NKU is ranked third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason poll. Its regular season begins at home Nov. 19 against Michigan Tech.

It concludes its exhibition schedule at Ohio State at 7 p.m. today. The Buckeyes have only one exhibition scheduled. Tonight's game serves as an official introduction of Thad Matta, Xavier's former coach.

GLVC commissioner Jim Naumovich said conference teams have played in the Division II national championship for the past 10 years, so Division I schools might be in for a surprise.

"It's not about the money," Naumovich said. "It's about giving kids the opportunity to play and giving their institutions some national exposure."

---

E-mail srussell@enquirer.com