FAIRFAX, Va. – The North Carolina Central University men's basketball team begins the 2024-25 season on the road at George Mason University on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. and plays its home opener on Friday, Nov. 8 against Gardner-Webb University at 1 p.m.
The Eagles' first game will be streamed live on ESPN+ on Monday evening.
THIS WEEK:
North Carolina Central at George Mason
Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 – 7:00 p.m.
EagleBank Arena – Fairfax, Va.
ESPN+ | Live Stats
Last Meeting: L, 63-78 at GM (11/20/18)
Series: 0-2
North Carolina Central vs Gardner-Webb
Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 – 1:00 p.m.
McDougald-McLendon Arena – Durham, N.C.
Last Meeting: L, 70-72, at GWU (12/17/22)
Series: 2-2
Live Stats | Tickets
Complete Game Notes (PDF)
STARTING FIVE:
1. NCCU begins the 92nd season with close to 1300 program victories.
2. There are eight new Eagles on the 2024-25 roster.
3. NCCU led the MEAC in points per game, scoring margin and opposing three-point field goal percentage in the 2023-24 season.
4. The Eagles are 36-3 at home in non-conference games since 2016.
5. LeVelle Moton became the all-time winningest coach at NCCU during the 2023-24 season.
2024-25 MEAC Preseason Honors
NC Central earned two preseason All-MEAC honors announced during the 2024 MEAC Media Day Show on ESPN+ in October. Po'Boigh King was named to the first team and Keishon Porter earned third team honors. Both returning players bring back the most experience after playing their first season with NCCU in 2023-24. The Eagles were picked to finish third in the conference behind Howard University and Norfolk State University.
EAGLE's EIGHT
With eight returners, NC Central brought eight new Eagles to the Nest. Two players are familiar faces as Dionte Johnson and Kelechi Okworogwo previously played at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. Aquan Smart is a Midwest product who last played at Southeast Missouri State University. Floyd Rideau Jr. also has experience in the MEAC after spending his first season at South Carolina State University before moving to USC Upstate. Anthony Peoples Jr. comes to Durham from the West Coast and Jaqai Murray is the only transfer by way of junior college. Isaac Parson is a North Carolina product formerly of Winston-Salem State University and Camren Daniels is the hometown kid and only true freshman on the team.
NAME TAG
NCCU has three juniors. Not by class, but by name: Anthony Peoples Jr., Perry Smith Jr. and Floyd Rideau Jr.
New Number, Who's ThiS?
There have been some number changes this season for a few Eagles. Caleb Ellison will now wear 0, Keishon Porter adds a one to his jersey for number 11 and Gbenga Olubi goes from 32 to 7.
No ROOM beyond the arc
NCCU ended the 2023-24 season second in the nation in three-point percentage defense behind only Louisiana. The Eagles held opponents last season to 28.1 percent beyond the arc.
On The Break
The Eagles not only led the MEAC in fast break points per game (14.52) in the 2023-24 season, but they also finished 17th in the nation for the same statistic.
EAGLE Offense
During the 2023-24 season, the Eagles were first in the MEAC in offense, averaging 76.6 points per game. There were only two games where NCCU hit that mark and didn't win.
EAGLE TRIPPING
NCCU will travel to play ten different non-conference opponents spanning from the Atlantic 10, Big South, Sun Belt, CAA and Big 12. The Eagles open the season at George Mason University.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
