Top College News Subscribe to the Newsletter

Eagles eye competition

Eagles will play some tough games and some not-so-tough

Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 12:10

men'sbasketball_landon

Echo file photo

Senior Landon Clement will look to build on his stellar rookie campaign.

 

The 2011-2012 men's basketball schedule is out, and the Eagles have "Upset Central" written all over it, with multiple major conference teams on the schedule.

Coach LeVelle Moton's motto is to "win every day."

Conferences such as the ACC, Big Ten, Atlantic 10, and the Pac-12 will be represented this season, and the Eagles are eyeing an upset as they look to improve last seasons's 15-15 record.

"If you talk to each guy on our team, the one common denominator is we all have a chip on our shoulder," said Moton.

NCCU kicks off the season with an away game, against the UNC Charlotte 49ers Nov. 11, who finished with 10 wins and 20 losses in 2010-2011.

NCCU's second game of the season, its first home game, will be Nov. 13. They will host  the Wildcats of Johnson and Wales University, also from Charlotte, N.C. This will be Wildcats second season as a basketball program.  Last season, the Eagles beat the Wildcats  90-30.

In the third game of the season, the Eagles will travel to Staten Island, N.Y. to face Wagner College. This will be a homecoming for senior Justin Leemow, originally from Brooklyn.

"It's going to be a homecoming for me because my people don't really get to see me play much, so that's going to be a big deal for me," said Leemow.

On Dec. 3, the Eagles will host its rivals, the Aggies of N.C. A&T. Last season, the Eagles split the season series with the Aggies, each team winning on the road.  This game appears big but Moton and his players say it's just another game.

Dec. 11, the Eagles will travel 25 minutes up the road to Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh to face an ACC school, the Wolfpack of N.C. State University, which is coming off a disappointing season.

The Eagles will begin conference play Jan. 7, and conclude at Hampton on March 3. Hampton is the reigning MEAC champ and looks extremely tough on paper.

The 2012 MEAC tournament gets started on March 5. This marks the first time NCCU has been able to compete for postseason championship honors in Division 1.

"Now we really have something to play for," said Leemow.

"Now you really have to give it 110 percent even though your back is against the wall and you're playing for something. It's my senior year. I at least have to make the tournament," he said.

Moton looks to play this season for the pioneers who paved the way for the current student-athletes who now play in the MEAC.

"Our expectations for ourselves is just to win every day," said Moton

"If you win every day, not only on the court, academically, study hall, weight room, etcetera, etcetera, then when March comes, that makes winning easier."

Recommended: Articles that may interest you

Be the first to comment on this article! Log in to Comment

You must be logged in to comment on an article. Not already a member? Register now

Log In