WHO: Norfolk State (5-8) at Old Dominion (6-6)
WHEN: Tuesday, December 29 at 7:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Ted Constant Center – Norfolk, Va.
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ONLINE STREAM: MONARCH MEDIA ($)
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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. – Old Dominion (6-6) and Norfolk State (5-8) will play against one another on the hardwood for the first time in 15 years on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The Monarchs have won 30 consecutive contests at home, which marks the country’s fifth longest home winning streak. Tuesday night will be more than just a game between two city rivals.
Old Dominion and Norfolk State have partnered with “We Feed Norfolk”, the Kam Chancellor, “Kam Cares” Foundation, the City of Norfolk and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia to help provide food for Norfolk families.
Food collection bins will be available at the entrances of the arena, and available all day for donations.
Twelve per cent of Virginia households are food insecure and struggle to provide meals for their families. The Foodbank often experiences the largest shortage of food during the winter months. All of the food collected at the game will benefit the Foodbank.
Tickets are available for the Dec. 29 contest between ODU and Norfolk State at www.YNottix.com, or at the box office at the Constant Center, which is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information on this game, call 683-4444.
Here’s what people are saying about the Dec. 29 event:
ODU President John R. Broderick
“Old Dominion is pleased to team up with our community partners who do such tremendous work to help local families,” said Broderick. “I urge all Monarch fans to be mindful of the Foodbank’s mission, and to be generous on Dec. 29th in support of its efforts.”
NSU Interim President Eddie Moore, Jr.
“Norfolk State is pleased to partner with Old Dominion University and We Feed Norfolk to collect food items for the Southeastern Food Bank” says Moore. “With the holiday season in full swing, we must be mindful of how truly blessed we are and share those blessings with those who are less fortunate. I encourage everyone to bring a canned item to the NSU Dec. 29 contest with ODU.”
Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim
“These are the types of efforts that a community committed to reducing poverty gets behind. The City of Norfolk is proud to sponsor the We Feed Norfolk program and understands that it is these types of connections - between universities, the business community, non-profits and citizens – that are a critical part of our strategy. We will continue to work together to ensure that all residents have access to what they need to thrive and sustain their families,” says Fraim.
Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks, Kam Cares Foundation
“Hunger is a year-round issue, and we are happy to partner with organizations committed to helping children and families in need beyond the holidays,” said Chancellor. “I firmly believe in the power of sports, and like to see athletes use their platforms to inspire others and spark change in the community.”
David Richards, CEO of Concursive Corporation, the developer of “We Feed Norfolk”
“When Old Dominion and Norfolk State’s basketball programs stepped up to partner with us, we jumped at the opportunity,” says Richards. “The game between these two schools is a great vehicle for us to promote the needs of our Norfolk community and we encourage fans to participate in our drive and attend the Dec. 29 contest.”
THE ALL-TIME SERIES – NORFOLK STATE vs. OLD DOMINION
Old Dominion holds an 11-6 advantage against Norfolk State in the all-time series. The last time these two schools met on the hardwood was during the 2000-01 season, in a game that host ODU won 69-62. These two schools first met during the 1965-66 season, when the Monarchs took down the Spartans, 86-82.
Longest Active NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Home Winning Streak
1. Arizona (47)
2. Louisiana Tech (37)
2. Wichita State (37)
4. Kansas (31)
5. Old Dominion (30)
LAST TIME OUT FOR OLD DOMINION
Senior Aaron Bacote finished one off his career-high with 30 points as Old Dominion held off Rhode Island 71-65 last Tuesday night to win its 30th straight game at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
Trey Freeman netted 22 points, while Denzell Taylor grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out three assists. Old Dominion's bench outscored Rhode Island's 36-10 for the ballgame. ODU led for a total of 33:05 of the possible 40 minutes.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS FOR OLD DOMINION
For the season, Trey Freeman is leading the way for the Monarchs averaging 16.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg. Aaron Bacote is averaging 14.8 points a contest, while Zoran Talley is averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. Brandan Stith is netting 8.8 ppg to compliment 7.0 boards per contest, while Nik Biberaj is chipping in 6.2 points per outing to go along with 4.3 boards. Denzell Taylor currently leads ODU with 83 rebounds (6.9 per game).
Old Dominion is averaging 66.3 points a game, while holding opponents to 59.1 points on 37.9% shooting from the floor and 28.8% from long-range. The Monarchs average 11.7 forced turnovers per contest.
MEET NORFOLK STATE
Norfolk State enters Tuesday’s contest with a 5-8 overall record, with a notable 85-76 win at UTEP just a couple days before Christmas.
Three Spartans are averaging double figures: Jeff Short (17.2 ppg/4.2 rpg), Charles Oliver (12.8 ppg/2.5 rpg) and D’Shon Taylor (12.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg).
After 39 victories, two MEAC tournament semifinal appearances and a pair of postseason bids during his first two years, Robert Jones is in the midst of his third season in charge of the Norfolk State men’s basketball program.
Over the last two years Jones has continued NSU’s recent string of success on the court, including just the third 20-win season in the program’s Division I history in 2014-15. That year saw the Spartans finish second in the MEAC regular season standings at 12-4, the third-most wins in 17 seasons in the league.
For the fourth straight year, NSU competed in the postseason, taking part in the 2015 CollegeInsider.com tournament. The Spartans are now the only team in the 13-team MEAC to make a postseason appearance each of the last four years.
WHAT A DEAL! - VOUCHER BOOKS
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