AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn's proposed new basketball arena might be a slam dunk when it goes before the university's board of trustees.

The property and facilities committee is expected Thursday to recommend building the 90-plus million dollar arena across Roosevelt Drive from the James Martin Aquatic Center in time for the 2010-11 season.

The arena proposal will go before the full board on Friday, where it's also expected to be approved.

The Tigers' Beard-Eaves Coliseum was built in 1969 as an all-purpose facility.

Coach Jeff Lebo says getting a new arena "feels like Christmas."

The plan calls for a basketball-only arena, including practice facilities, offices, dressing rooms, luxury suites and seats close to the floor. It would seat about 10-thousand.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)