Tuesday at 5:00 ET, the Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team will open its 2010 NCCAA National Tournament against Ohio Christian University. This is the first time since the 2006-07 season that the Chargers have made it to Nationals, but unlike that season, the Chargers are not just happy to be there, they are prepared to do some damage.

"We are a better team now then we were in 2007," Chargers' Head Coach Pete Beers.

Senior Carl Edwards, the only LBC player remaining from the 2007 team also thinks the Chargers are better prepared for a long run at the National Tournament.

"The chemistry of this team and the love we have for each other far exceeds that of '07 team," Edwards said. "The team is like a community."

The Chargers (13-13), are the 12th seed in the 12-team tournament. They earned an at-large bid after losing by one, 71-70, to the second-seeded Patriots from Valley Forge Christian in the NCCAA East Region Final.

LBC's opponent, Ohio Christian, is the 5th seed. They won the Mid-East Region Final against Kentucky Christian, 67-57.

Beers said he liked the draw that the Chargers have received in the tournament.

"The first game is everything to us," Beers said. "If we win that game, we love the possibility of playing the tournament's host school [Central Bible]."

Beers knows there is no way they can look past the Trailblazers. Like LBC with the three Keltner brothers, Ohio Christian features three Baker brothers. Junior Tim Baker and senior Stefan Vasiloff are two of the Trailblazers' better players.

"We have to keep their possessions to one shot," Beers said. "We have to make sure to keep Baker and Vasiloff at bay."

When asked what they needed to do to win, Edwards used a saying he and some of the coaches like to say, "We need to protect the ball and protect the paint," Edwards said. "I think we need to get the ball into the post and work it from the inside to the outside."

Edwards said the Chargers are excited to be given a second chance after losing in the East Region Final.

"We have something to prove," Edwards said. "We want to represent LBC well."

Beers said the team is confident heading to Springfield, Missouri.

"I am excited that they are confident," Beers said. "Hopefully March is as good as our February."

Notes:
-Prior to the LBC-OCU game, #8 Dallas Christian will take on #9 Baptist Bible (MO).

-If the Chargers win, they will play on Thursday at 9:00 p.m.

-LBC's East Region rival, #2 Valley Forge Christian, will take on the winner of the #7 Southwestern vs. #10 North Central match-up.