MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON ANNOUNCED
The University of North Carolina, Dayton and nine Colonial Athletic Association contests highlight the 17-game home slate for the Old Dominion men's basketball team in the inaugural season of the Constant Convocation Center.
The Monarchs will square off with the Tar Heels on Sunday, Nov. 24 in an afternoon tilt, as part of the of grand opening events that weekend.
"The official opening of our inaugural season in the Constant Center is a special time in the history of Old Dominion Athletics, " said Athletic Director Jim Jarrett. "The University of North Carolina Tar Heels offer outstanding competition for this opening game."
Dayton, coached by ODU Hall of Famer Oliver Purnell, will make their first visit to the center on Friday, Dec. 20. Dayton reached the NIT second round last year and last played ODU in Norfolk during the 1984-85 season. The Monarchs defeated the Flyers in Dayton, 81-76, in December of 2000-01 season in the Dayton Arena. Purnell captained the Monarchs 1975 NCAA Division II national championship team, and was head coach from 1991-94.
Old Dominion will host nine CAA league contests which include William and Mary on Jan. 11, James Madison on Jan.25, Virginia Commonwealth on Feb. 1, and defending CAA champions UNC-Wilmington on Feb. 12. The first league game will be Jan. 2 against Towson. The Monarchs will also host East Carolina from Conference USA on Dec. 7. ODU defeated the Pirates in Greenville, N.C., last year, 53-52.
"All in all, we have a tremendously challenging and exciting slate of games," said head coach Blaine Taylor. " Last year, night after night games hung in the balance to the very end. With the strength of our non-conference games and anticipation of competitive CAA games,it sets the table for an exciting winter."
The annual Blue-White exhibition will be held on Oct. 26 with two exhibition games scheduled for Nov. 4 against the Pump All-Stars, and Nov. 15 against Global Sports.
On the road, ODU will travel to Atlantic 10 members St.Joseph's on Dec. 1, and George Washington on Dec. 28, and two-time defending MEAC champion Hampton University on Dec. 4, as well as the nine CAA contests, which cap off with the CAA Championships in the Richmond Coliseum, March 7-10. Last year, eight Monarch CAA games were decided by five points or less.
The Monarchs return seven lettermen from last year led by second team All- CAA forward Ricardo Marsh (15.3 ppg/7.2 rpg), and Rasheed Wright (14.1 ppg/5.4 rpg).
Season tickets for the 2002-03 campaign in the Constant Center are on sale now and available by call the Athletic Ticket Office at 683-4444.