By Ryan Ernst
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Northern Kentucky men's basketball team will travel to three Division I powers for exhibition games in preparation for its 2004-05 regular season, newly hired head coach Dave Bezold confirmed Wednesday.

The Norse have a one-year agreement with Ohio State and have "worked out" a similar deal with Kentucky. In addition, they are in the third year of a five-year agreement with the University of Cincinnati.

"UC gave us an opportunity three years ago when no one else was doing it," Bezold said. "Now there are more opportunities like that."

The reason there are more opportunities is a recent NCAA rule that prohibits Division I programs from playing exhibition games against non-collegiate teams like Athletes in Action and EA Sports.

Although Bezold said NKU is still waiting for the contract to arrive from UK, the schools have set a Nov. 3 date for the game. The Ohio State and UC games will be played between Nov. 1 and 15.

"This is an opportunity for the university to put our names next to UC, UK and Ohio State in the headlines," Bezold said. "It's a tremendous opportunity."