WHO: Niagara (0-0) at Old Dominion (0-0) ... Fans WEAR WHITE!
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Ted Constant Convocation Center
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Monarch Media (LIVE HD stream with paid subscription)
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The game will air across the Commonwealth on ESPN Radio 94.1 in Hampton Roads, Sports FM 100.5 in Central Virginia and WLVA 94.1 and FOX Sports 580 in Lynchburg.
(Ted Alexander and Dave Twardzik’s live pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m.)
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion men’s basketball team will open its 2015-16 regular season against Niagara on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, as one of ODU’s four games in the 2015 Hall of Fame Tip Classic.The Monarchs are riding the nation’s seventh longest home win streak at 24, dating back to the end of the 2013-14 season.
In just two seasons at the helm of the ODU men’s basketball program, head coach Jeff Jones has boldly redirected a team that recorded five wins in 2012-13. After racking up 18 wins and recording the nation’s best turnaround in his first season with the Monarchs, Jones’ squad stormed into the 2015 NIT semifinals at Madison Sqaure Garden via an exhilarating Trey Freeman three-point buzzer-beater that landed on ESPN’s Top Plays of the Day against Murray State. Old Dominion earned victories over Charleston Southern and Illinois State in the first two rounds of the NIT, respectively.
Among a slew of other accomplishments in the school’s second year of C-USA action, the 2014-15 Monarch squad boasted a 27-8 overall record and a 13-5 mark in conference play. The Monarchs notched a flawless 20-0 record at the Ted Constant Center.
The 2015-16 Monarchs return four of their six top leading scorers from a season ago, led by C-USA Newcomer of the Year and first team All-League selection Trey Freeman (6-2/16.9 ppg/3.57 apg). A redshirt senior guard who ranks No. 17 on ODU’s all-time scoring list and was just named to the to 2015-16 Lute Olson Preseason All-America Team.
Senior guard Aaron Bacote (6-4/9.8 ppg/2.71 apg), who reached the milestone of joining the 1,000-point club in his junior campaign, also returns for Old Dominion and is currently perched at No. 40 on the school’s all-time scoring record. Junior forward Denzell Taylor (6-7/5.97 rpg), redshirt junior guard Ambrose Mosley (6-2/7.1 ppg), junior guard Jordan Baker (6-2/3.9 ppg) and senior forward Nik Biberaj (6-8/2.1 ppg) return for the squad as well.
ODU enters the season with a handful of new faces, as head coach Jeff Jones brought in Brandan Stith, a redshirt sophomore transfer from East Carolina and son of assistant coach Bryant Stith who will contribute to the Monarch squad this year after sitting out last season due to the NCAA transfer policy. Ahmad Caver, a freshman from Atlanta, Zoran Talley a redshirt freshman from Merrillville, Ind. and Aaron Carver, a freshman from Elizabeth City, N.C. who is the son of legendary basketball Monarch “AC” Carver also join the squad. Also looking to help the squad for the 2015-16 season are transfers Payton Pervier (7-1 center) from Dodge City Community College and Stephen Vassor from Hampden Sydney.
The Monarchs are slated to take on a challenging schedule that includes 31 games, five which feature teams that reached the NCAA tournament in 2014-15, including Buffalo, Purdue, VCU, Georgia State and UAB. Old Dominion will also square off against four in-state rivals, as they are set to battle VCU, William & Mary, Richmond and cross-town foe Norfolk State.
Old Dominion commences the season with three-straight home contests, as they host Buffalo on Nov. 16 and Morgan State on Nov. 18. On Nov. 21 and 22, the squad will trek to Uncasville, Conn. for the Hall of Fame Classic, which features a matchup with nationally ranked Purdue and then either Florida or St. Joseph’s.
DON’T MISS THE ACTION!
Monarch basketball season tickets are on sale now for the 2015-16 season at YNottix.com or by calling the box office 757-683-4444.
TICKETS (Single Game)
Adult Lower Bowl - $17
Adult Club - $31
Military/Seniors/Youth/Faculty Staff - $15
Group pricing available by calling Todd McKeating at 757-683-7087
WHAT A DEAL! - VOUCHER BOOKS
Get 10 tickets to use at any home ODU basketball games during the 2015-16 regular season. Use them all at one game to bring family and friends, or spread them out over the season. The choice is yours! The price is $120 for a men’s basketball voucher book. That’s a $50 savings over purchasing at the ticket window. Plus the first 200 fans that purchase will get an ODU UnderArmour Team Visor. Purchase now at www.ynottix.com.
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