ANCHORAGE ? Seventeen home games and an early challenge in Southern California will highlight the 2008-09 Alaska Anchorage men's basketball schedule, announced Wednesday by head coach Rusty Osborne.

The Seawolves ? coming off an NCAA Semifinals appearance last spring ? will begin the season at Disney's Division II West Coast Tip-Off Classic, Nov. 7-9 in Anaheim, Calif. UAA will open against Southwest Minnesota State on Friday before facing Fort Lewis (Colo.) and West Region rival Humboldt (Calif.) State the following days. The three Disney opponents combined for a 61-27 record in 2007-08, while Fort Lewis and HSU made NCAA appearances.

The Seawolves will make their Anchorage debut at the 31st annual Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout, Nov. 26-29 at Sullivan Arena. UAA will play Hampton in the first round, Portland State or Northern Illinois the next game, and either Seattle, Louisiana Tech, San Diego State or Western Carolina on the final day.

After a two-week layoff, the Seawolves have a busy December stretch with a trip to the Glacier Classic in Fairbanks, Dec. 12-13, followed by a pair of home games against Saint Leo (Fla.), Dec. 16-17, and culminating in the AT&T Jamboree, Dec. 20-22. UAA's Glacier Classic opponents are yet to be determined, while they will take on Rockhurst (Mo.) and Dowling (N.Y.) in the AT&T Jamboree.

A home series with Lincoln Christian (Ill.) completes the non-conference slate Jan. 2-3.

UAA ? 29-6 overall and 16-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference last year ? begins defense of its GNAC title Jan. 8 with a home game against Northwest Nazarene. The GNAC schedule will be 16 games this season, two fewer that previously, with the departure of Seattle University from the league.

Please check GoSeawolves.com for updates, including television, radio and live statistics details.