Defending
NCAA National Champions Highlight Hampton Men's Basketball Schedule
July 30, 2002
Hampton, VA – Hampton University’s 2002-03 Men’s
Basketball schedule is highlighted by a 14-game home schedule
in the Hampton University Convocation Center. The Pirates, under
interim head coach Bobby Collins, embark on a 27-game schedule
featuring non-conference opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC), Atlantic-10 Conference, Big Ten, Colonial Athletic Association,
Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, and Mid-Continent Conference.
“We are playing some tough teams this year,” explains
Coach Collins. “We have a very tough schedule this year,
but it is one that we are extremely excited about. We are certainly
looking forward to getting the season underway.”
The Pirates open regular season play with four consecutive
home games against the Leathernecks of Western Illinois University
on November 25. Following that contest, the Pirates play host
to local opponent’s the University of Richmond on November
27 and Old Dominion University on December 4.
“It’s always good to play against local opponents
like Richmond and Old Dominion,” comments Coach Collins.
“Each game that we play is considered a rivalry game,
but especially against teams from this area.”
The Pirates, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
(MEAC), open conference play with the Spartans of Norfolk State
University on Dec. 7.
“The conference has really gotten stronger in the last
few years,” says Coach Collins. “We must remain
focused on each opponent, and make sure not to overlook any
one opponent.”
The 2002 calendar-year ends with a three-game road trip to the
states of North Carolina and Ohio. The first contest presents
a trip to Greenville, North Carolina to face the Pirates of
East Carolina University (Dec. 19) and later Akron, Ohio, when
the Pirates take on the Zips of Akron University (Dec. 28, 2002).
The Pirates conclude the road trip against Ohio State University
on Dec. 30 in Columbus, Ohio.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun going to Ohio State
and Akron to play those well-respected institutions,”
states Coach Collins. “A lot of our players are from the
Ohio area, and we are happy to give them the opportunity to
go home and play in front of their families and friends.”
The new year of 2003 brings steady conference play, beginning
with the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne,
Maryland on January 4. The Pirates stay on the road on January
6 to battle the Bison of Howard University.
On December 8, the Pirates take a break from conference play
to travel to College Park, Maryland. Once there, they will face
the defending NCAA National Champions, the Terrapins of the
University of Maryland.
Hosting the Bears of Morgan State University and the Eagles
of Coppin State College, January 11 and 13, the Pirates will
take a short break before inviting Florida A&M University
and Bethune-Cookman College (January 18 and 20) to the Hampton
University Convocation Center.
On January 25, the Pirates will take to the road once again
to face North Carolina A&T State University, and then South
Carolina State University on January 27.
The month of February starts with the Pirates at home for two
games against Delaware State University (Feb. 1) and William
& Mary (Feb. 3).
The rest of the month of February presents game two among conference
opponents Maryland-Eastern Shore (8th), Howard (10th), Morgan
State (15th), Coppin State (17th), Florida A&M (22nd) and
Bethune-Cookman (24th).
The conference season play continues in March as the Pirates
host North Carolina A&T (March 1) and South Carolina State
(Mar. 3). The regular season concludes with Norfolk State in
Echols Arena on March 8th, before heading to Richmond, Virginia,
to compete in the MEAC Tournament March 10-15.
“After winning back-to-back conference regular season
and post-season title, we know that everyone is out to get us,”
admits Coach Collins. “If we can play basketball just
as we have for the past few years, then we should have another
successful season.”
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