WHO: Buffalo (1-0) at Old Dominion (1-0) - 2nd of 4 Games in Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 16 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 welcome Buffalo to the Ted Constant Convocation Center on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m. for the second of ODU’s four games in the 2015 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The Monarchs are riding the nation’s sixth longest home win streak at 25. Coming off their first Mid-American Conference Championship in school history, the Bulls earned a No. 12 seed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament before losing by six to No. 5 seed and eventual Sweet-16 participant West Virginia.
“We are very excited about competing in such a prestigious tournament,” said ODU head coach Jeff Jones. “This is a very strong tournament field which I think our fans will enjoy watching.”
Both Old Dominion and UB are coming off of season-opening home wins on Friday evening, as Old Dominion was too much for Niagara, 67-50, while Buffalo defeated Pitt-Bradford, 109-49.
In front of a crowd of 8,150 on Friday night, Trey Freeman led the Monarchs with 20 points, while Aaron Bacote followed with 18 points and three assists in his 100th game in a Monarch uniform. Denzell Taylor combined for four points, a game-high nine rebounds, a game-high four assists, two steals and one block in the win. Old Dominion used stifling defense throughout the ballgame, holding the Purple Eagles to Niagara 32.7% (18-55) shooting from from the floor and 11.8% (2-17) from deep.
While Bacote played in his 100th career game, Brandan Stith (22 mins, 9 pts, 5 rebs, 2 blocks and 1 steal), Ahmad Caver (24 mins, 2-2 FG, 4 pts, 2 rebs, 3 assts and 2 steals) and Stephen Vassor (13 mins, 2-3 FG, 4 pts, 2 rebs, 2 blocks and 1 assist) all played their first game in a Monarch uniform on Friday evening.
Old Dominion and Buffalo have met twice before Monday night's showdown, as the Monarchs have won both previous meetings, the last being in the 1998-99 season in Hawaii, as ODU took down UB by a score of 85-65.
The Bulls are looking to defend their MAC title under first-year head coach Nate Oats, who brings back seven players from last season, but just four of those players were part of the regular rotation. The returning leading scorer is senior Jarryn Skeete. The Bulls also welcome eight newcomers to the team this season, led by three Junior College transfers.
The Bulls etched their names into a number of records in the season-opening win over Pitt-Bradford. The 60-point victory for UB was its largest win since the 1969-70 season when UB defeated Western Ontario, 117-48. The 109 points scored by the Bulls in the game were the eighth most in school history and the most in a game since 2011. The Bulls also went 40-of-75 from the floor and the 40 field goals are tied for eighth in school history and the most since Feb. 24, 1998 vs. Chicago State.
Senior Rodell Wigginton finished with a career-high 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting and 10 rebounds off the bench in the win over Pitt-Bradford. He was one of six players to score in double figures in the game.
Old Dominion completes its third straight game at home to open the 2015-16 regular season on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m., when they welcome Morgan State. On Nov. 21 and 22, the squad will trek to Uncasville, Conn. to wrap-up competition in the 2015 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, which features a matchup with nationally ranked Purdue on Saturday and then either Florida or St. Joseph’s on Sunday.
The 2015 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament HOMEPAGE: http://www.halloffametipoff.com/
Current Home Win Streaks – NCAA Division I
1. Arizona (39)
2. North Carolina Central (35)
3. Wichita State (33)
4. LA Tech (31) #
5. Kansas (26)
6. North Dakota State (25)
6. Old Dominion (25) #
8. Villanova (23)
9. Dayton (22)
9. Kentucky (22)
# = Member of the C-USA
ODU’s last loss home loss was on Feb. 22, 2014 at the hands of LA Tech, 71-66.
The Monarchs play at LA Tech on Jan. 7, 2016. on CBSSN.
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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