NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion men’s basketball team is set for its one and only exhibition against CNU on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Ted Constant Center to unofficially commence the 2015-16 season. Thursday’s game will air live on STAR 1310 AM with Doug Ripley on play-by-play and Dave Twardzik handling color duties. Fans can also watch the game live in HD via Monarch Media with a paid subscription.
The Monarchs enter Thursday night’s exhibition looking to carry on the momentum from a 27-8 mark a season ago that landed them in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden. ODU returns three starters including Conference USA Newcomer of the Year and first team All-League selection Trey Freeman for his fifth-year senior campaign as well as Aaron Bacote and Jordan Baker. Freeman enters the season ranked No. 17 on ODU’s all-time scoring list, while Bacote is perched at No. 40. Denzell Taylor, who led the squad in offensive and total rebounds and saw action in all 35 games last year, is among several returning letterwinners who will look to make a big impact for Old Dominion.
After notching a flawless 20-0 record at the Ted Constant Center a season ago, ODU is currently riding a 24 game home winning streak that dates back to the 2013-14 season and ranks seventh among all NCAA Division I programs.
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 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.; Aaron Carver, a freshman from Elizabeth City, N.C. who is the son of legendary basketball Monarch “AC” Carver. 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.
Nik Biberaj transferred to Old Dominion after playing his first two seasons at Christopher Newport University, where he was second on the team in scoring at 15.9 ppg and led the team in rebounding at 9.5 rpg during his sophomore season.
MEET CNU
The CNU Captains come to Norfolk Thursday for their first of two exhibitions before starting the official competition slate. CNU compiled a 20-8 record in 2014-15 and captured second place in the Capital Athletic Conference Championship, falling only to Division III’s No. 2 nationally ranked Salisbury in a 58-57 heartbreaker.
The Captains return leading scorer Marcus Carter who averaged 13.1 ppg in 26 starts and also led the team with 32 blocks. Tim Daly, Connor Laframboise and Kevin Regimbal also return after starting in 2014-15 for CNU. Daly led the Captains last season with 185 total rebounds while Kevin Regimbal was second on the squad with 56 assists.
The ODU men’s basketball team officially begins its season Friday, Nov. 13 when the Monarchs host Niagara at the Ted Constant Center for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
COMPLETE JEFF JONES COACH’S SHOW SCHEDULE
Shot live at Dave and Buster’s in Va. Beach and airs live on ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
NOV 9
DEC 7
DEC 14
JAN 4
JAN 11
JAN 18
JAN 25
FEB 1
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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.
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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