Full Schedule
NORFOLK, VA. (Sept. 14) -- First time matchups with N.C. State, and Kansas State,the return of in-state rival Virginia Tech to the schedule and home gameswith NCAAparticipants UNC Charlotte and Washington highlight the 1999-2000 OldDominionUniversity men's non conference basketball schedule as released by athleticdirector, Jim Jarrett.
Old Dominion will play at least six teams who competed in either theNCAA orNIT last season. The Monarchs will play at N.C.State for the first time onNov.23rd in the new 19,722 Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena. TheMonarchs willtravel to Manhattan, KS for the first time ever to take on the Wildcats.Both N.C.State and Kansas State competed in the NIT with Old Dominion last year.Whilethe Monarchs ranked fifth nationally in field goal percentage defense(.377), KansasState ranked first in the category at .371.
"This schedule offers the men's basketball program significantchallenges and ourfans the opportunity to see excellent basketball," said athletic director,Jim Jarrett. "Playing at Kansas State, UNC Charlotte, N.C. State andVirginia Tech along with the SOCON Tournament, hosting Washington andGeorge Washington will enhance our strength of schedule and prepare us forthe CAA season. The fact that in the next twoseasons, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Kansas State and UNC Charlotte willreturn to play in Norfolk is an added bonus. As we move closer to theopening of the Constant Center,the continued success of our program should encourage all fans to purchasetheir season tickets to receive priority seating."
Virginia Tech returns to the Monarchs schedule for the first timesince the 1992-93season. Old Dominion won that meeting, 71-61 in Scope. The Monarchs travelto UNC Charlotte, the Conference USA defending champion on Jan. 26. The49er's were anumber five seed last year and have reached the NCAA second round in eachof the lastthree years. Old Dominion will also travel to Lexington, Va. on Dec. 7 toplay at VMI for the first time since 1983-84.
Old Dominion travels to Greenville, SC. For the SOCON Holiday Hoopstournament,Nov. 26-28. The Monarchs open with UW-Green Bay, who was 20-11 last yearfrom the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Also competing in thattournament areClemson (ACC), Central Florida (Trans America), Furman (Southern), SouthCarolinaState(MEAC), Mississippi (SEC), and Oregon State (Pac 10). Clemson, whoreached the NIT finals last year, and Central Florida are in the Monarchsbracket.
The Monarchs will play host to Washington of the Pac-10 on Dec.4. The Huskieswere a number seed in last year's NCAA tournament. George Washington, an11th seedin last year's tournament visits on Jan. 3rd. Crosstown rival NorfolkState returns tothe schedule for the first time since 1981 on Dec.29 at Scope, a datechange from anearlier announcement. Old Dominion's home and season opener will beSaturday, Nov. 20 against UT Chattanooga.
"This is quite a challenging schedule, but it gives us a chance tofind outmore about ourselves, "said Monarch head coach Jeff Capel. "Playing astrongnon conference schedule can only help us prepare for the rigors of the CAAconferencerace."
The Monarchs, who have reached five CAA finals winning three since1992 open theCAA league battles on Dec. 1 at East Carolina. Old Dominion's first CAAhome gamewill be on Dec. 18 against UNC Wilmington. Defending league championGeorge Mason comes to town on Feb. 2. The CAA Tournament will be March 3-6at theRichmond Coliseum. The title game will again be televised on ESPN2.
Thus far, the Monarchs will have two league games on Home Team Sports.They are Feb. 12 at home against William and Mary and Feb. 19 at JMU.
Old Dominion returns seven lettermen from last year's team that won aschoolrecord tying 25 games and reached the NIT second round.
Leading the way for the Monarchs are returnees Michael Williams (6-0,Jr, G,7.6 ppg/2.6 apg), Andre McCullum (6-6, Jr, F, 9.4. ppg/5.2 rpg), CliftonJones (6-7,Jr, F-G, 5.5 ppg/4.1 rpg), Pierre Greene (6-2, So.,G, 2.9 ppg), FreddieBryant (6-3,Sr, G, 3.9 ppg), Lavar Hemphill (6-3, So., G, 2.0 ppg), Heath Burris(6-4,Jr, G, 0.7ppg), and red shirt senior Skipper Youngblood (6-8,Sr, C, 6.3 ppg/5.0 rpg).
Monarch newcomers include sophomore center Aron McMillian (6-9, So,C)whotransfered from Wake Forest and will be eligible in the second semester.The fourfreshmen are 6-6 forward Ricardo Marsh, the North Carolina High SchoolAll-StarMVP from Hillsboro, NC; Rasheed Wright, a 6-5 forward and conference MVPfrom Greensboro, NC; Joe Principe, a 6-9 forward from the Air Force Prepand Gladstone,MO., and 6-9 forward Charles Dunnington, from Anacostia High in Washington,DC.
Season tickets as well as tickets for the SOCON Tournament areavailable at theAthletic Ticket Office. Orders for season tickets may be taken by phonewith a majorcredit card by calling, 683-4444.
For more information on the men's basketball team, please call theathletic publicrelations office at 757-683-3372.