Sept. 4, 2008
DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University has announced the 2008-09 men's basketball schedule, which includes 10 home games and 20 road contests that cover more than 22,000 miles.
During NCCU's first season of Division I competition in 2007-08, the Eagles travelled roughly 22,280 miles to 23 road games in 13 different states.
The journey in year two is a near mirror image of last season. The 2008-09 slate has the Eagles travelling approximately 22,083 miles to 20 road games in 13 different states (Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia), including seven states (Ga., Ill., Kan., Okla., Pa., S.C., Texas) that the Eagles did not compete in during last season's 13-state tour.
"I am excited to have gotten through the first year and to be heading into the second year knowing what to expect," said NCCU head coach Henry Dickerson, entering his fifth season with the Eagles and 10th season overall as a head coach. "With the recruiting year we had, at least on paper, I think that gives us a good chance to steal some games on the road."
The road is exactly where the Eagles will spend the first six games of the season, covering about 8,166 miles during the month of November.
NCCU opens the season at Wake Forest on Nov. 14 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Eagles will then travel to Kent State (Nov. 17), Florida Gulf Coast (Nov. 20) and Tulsa (Nov. 25), before heading to the South Padre Island Invitational in Texas during Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 28-29). Kent State finished with a 28-7 record last season and received votes in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll, while Tulsa posted a 25-14 mark and received votes in the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.
NCCU's first home contest inside McLendon-McDougald Gym is Dec. 3 against High Point. The Panthers, members of the Big South Conference, finished with a 17-14 record a year ago.
The Eagles then make a return trip to Drake University's Iowa Realty Tournament on Dec. 5-6. NCCU plays tournament host Drake on Dec. 5, and will match up with either Furman or Texas-Pan American on Dec. 6. Drake completed the 2007-08 campaign with a 28-5 record and a final ranking of No. 23 in the coaches' poll.
The Eagles visit Old Dominion (Dec. 14) and South Carolina (Dec. 16) before returning home to play rival Winston-Salem State on Dec. 18. NCCU defeated the Rams in a MEAC Tournament exhibition game to end the 2007-08 season.
NCCU closes out the year with road contests at Duquesne (Dec. 22) in Pittsburgh, Pa., and at Michigan (Dec. 29) in Ann Arbor, Mich.
The Eagles open the New Year with a trip to Coral Gables, Fla., to play Miami (Jan. 3). The ACC Hurricanes finished last season with a 23-11 record and earned votes in the final coaches' poll.
NCCU will then have an unusual stretch of six consecutive home games. The Eagles will host Colgate on Jan. 6, Chicago State on Jan. 10, Texas-Pan American on Jan. 14, the annual BC Powder Classic on Jan. 16-17, and Maryland Eastern Shore on Jan. 21.
This season's edition of the BC Powder Classic features visiting teams from Chowan, Central State and Saint Augustine's.
"It will be good to be at home," Dickerson said. "We play well at home, and it means so much to these kids to be at home and play in front of our fans."
After visiting Chicago State (Jan. 24), the Eagles return friendly confines of McLendon-McDougald Gym on Jan. 31 to play Savannah State.
The road trips continue with a short jaunt to nearby North Carolina State (Feb. 3), the Eagles first visit to Kansas State (Feb. 17), and rematches with Winston-Salem State (Feb. 11) and Texas-Pan American (Feb. 21). Kansas State posted a 21-12 record out of the Big 12 Conference and claimed points in the final coaches' poll.
NCCU then plays a home-and-home series with Longwood on Feb. 25 in Longwood, Va., and Feb. 28 in Durham, N.C.
The Eagles take part in their 30th game of the season on March 2 at Savannah State.
"Our No. 1 goal is to win all of our home games and be good enough to win on the road," Dickerson said.
