North Carolina Central University Men’s Basketball Team Heads to Rock Hill for Tournament
Rock Hill, S.C. – The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) men’s basketball team is set to participate in the annual Rock Hill Classic, taking place from November 15-17, 2024. This tournament, hosted in collaboration with Winthrop University, will feature a competitive lineup including Georgia Southern University and the College of William & Mary. Each game of the tournament will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Key Matchups
The Eagles kick off the tournament against Georgia Southern on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. This will be followed by a showdown with William & Mary on Saturday, November 16, also at 7:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude with a match against the host team, Winthrop, on Sunday, November 17, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Notably, NCCU is undefeated in the previous meetings against Winthrop, having won both games.
The Eagles’ Season Outlook
NCCU enters the tournament with a strong roster comprised of eight returners alongside eight newcomers. Significant offseason adjustments have taken place, with Dionte Johnson and Kelechi Okworogwo joining from the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, while Aquan Smart transfers in from Southeast Missouri State University. Other transfers include Floyd Rideau Jr. from USC Upstate, Anthony Peoples Jr. who previously played on the West Coast, and Jaqai Murray from junior college. Notably, Camren Daniels stands out as the only true freshman this season.
Recent Performance and Preseason Recognition
As the season kicks off, NCCU has shown promising improvement in its free throw shooting, ranking 29th nationally, a notable jump from last year’s performance where they finished 279th. Additionally, the Eagles excelled in fast-break points last season, finishing 17th in the nation.
In terms of preseason honors, two NCCU players received recognition. Po’Boigh King was named to the first team of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), while Keishon Porter earned third-team honors. With these players leading the way, NCCU has been predicted to finish third in the conference this year, trailing behind Howard University and Norfolk State University.
Looking Ahead
This weekend’s tournament provides the Eagles with an excellent opportunity to gauge their skills against different opponents. With the combination of experienced returners and talented newcomers, NCCU is poised to make a strong impression as they kickstart their season.
For fans eager to follow the action, live stats and ticket information are available for each game. The Eagles are determined to bring their best game to Rock Hill, making this tournament a key moment in their early season journey.
