WHO: Old Dominion (3-2) at VCU (2-2)
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 28 at 4:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Stuart C. Siegel Center - Richmond, Va.
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TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
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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.
(Francis Tommasino and Dave Twardzik’s live pregame show begins at 3:30 p.m.)
RICHMOND, Va. – The Old Dominion Monarchs (3-2) will travel to take on cross-town rival Virginia Commonwealth (2-2) Sat. Nov. 28 at 4:00 p.m. with Robby Robinson (play-by-play) and John Feinstein (color) announcing the televised game on Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic.
After starting the season 3-0, the Monarchs will look to end their two-game skid after dropping hard-fought contests against No. 21 Purdue (61-39) and Saint Joseph’s (66-64) last weekend, as part of the 2015 James Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Trey Freeman scored 14 of his team-high 17 points in the second half and pulled the Monarchs within six points with 14:10 to play, before No. 21 Purdue ran off with the victory last Saturday afternoon.
Against Purdue, ODU’s Nik Biberaj scored nine points (4-4 FT), hauled down three rebounds and had one steal in 25 minutes of work. Aaron Bacote collected a game-high five steals, while Jordan Baker led the Monarchs on the boards with seven.
Then the following day against Saint Joseph’s in a game which experienced 10 lead changes and nine ties, Shavar Newkirk hit a jumper with one second remaining to lift the Hawks (4-1) to a 66-64 win over Old Dominion in the consolation. Trey Freeman was one of five players to be named to the All-Tournament Team.
Freeman paced the Monarchs on Sunday with 15 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Zoran Talley poured in a career-high 12 points to go along with three boards. Nik Biberaj (4-5 FT) recorded eight points, a career-high of 10 rebounds and a career-high of four blocks. ODU’s bench outscored SJU’s 33-19.
For the season, Freeman leads the way for the Monarchs with 17 points and five rebounds to go along with two assists, while Aaron Bacote follows with 12 points a game. Nik Biberaj is now averaging 7.6 points and 4.8 boards an outing.
Old Dominion is holding opponents to 56.6 points per game, while shooting 36.4%from the floor and to just 24% from behind the arc.
MEET THE RAMS
The Rams enter Wednesday night's game against Jeff Jones' former school, American, on a two-game losing streak after starting the season 2-0 with wins over Prairie View A&M (75-50) and Radford (92-74) and losses against No. 5 Duke (71-79) and Wisconsin. (73-74).
VCU is averaging 18.3 forced turnovers per game. So far the Rams are led by Melvin Johnson’s 19.5 points per game, followed by Korey Billbury’s 11.8. Mo Allie-Cox (9.5 ppg) and Justin Tillman (3.8 ppg) lead Virginia Commonwealth on the boards averaging 5.5. and 6.3, respectively. VCU is 2-0 at Siegel Center so far this season.
Senior Melvin Johnson and junior Mo Alie-Cox earned preseason praise, both earning spots in the Preseason A-10 Third Team. Alie-Cox was also named to the league's Preseason All-Defensive Team.
In the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, VCU was picked fifth by the coaches. Dayton, Rhode Island, Davidson and George Washington were picked ahead of the Rams in the poll.
The VCU Men's Basketball program welcomed back a familiar face in April when it introduced Will Wade as its new head coach. Wade, who served as an assistant for the Rams from 2009-13, returns to the VCU after spending two seasons as head coach at Chattanooga.
Wade is the 11th head coach in program history and replaces Shaka Smart, who accepted an offer to become head coach at Texas. Wade was Smart's first VCU hire in 2009.
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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