Men’s Basketball and NC State to Air on ESPNU

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Television arrangements for Appalachian State University men’s basketball’s matchup at NC State on Dec. 15 has been finalized by ESPN. The Black and Gold will face off against the Wolfpack in prime-time in front of a national audience on ESPNU. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at PNC Arena.

“What a tremendous opportunity to showcase our program on a national stage,” said head coach Jim Fox. “It’s our staff’s and our player’s goal each year to challenge ourselves during our non-conference season and put ourselves up against elite opponents. This does just that.”

This year marks the first time the Mountaineers and Wolfpack will play since the 2013-14 season – a 98-77 win for NC State. The game will be the 13th meeting all-time between both programs.

In 2016-17, the Mountaineers return three starters from a season ago. Ronshad Shabazz leads the returners in scoring after averaging 11.9 points per game. Additionally, Shabazz netted double figures on 18 occasions, including six 20-point performances.

Junior Griffin Kinney comes back after grabbing a team-high 145 rebounds and averaging 4.7 rebounds per game.

Kinney is joined in the front court by rising sophomore Tyrell Johnson. As a freshman, Johnson appeared in 31 games and made 21 starts, averaging 3.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

In addition, Matt O’BoyleJake BabicEmarius Logan and Bennett Holley are back as high-level contributors from the 2015-16 season.

New to the Apps this season are four newcomers, including Jake Wilson and Craig Hinton who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. New to the squad are rookies Patrick Good, Isaac JohnsonKelvin Robinson and Zach Cottrell. Walk-ons Trey Ford and Kevin Kerley also return.

Newly added transfer Nick Hough will sit out the season in preparation of contributing to the Black and Gold in 2017-18.

Appalachian State will host one exhibition against Methodist University on Tuesday, Nov. 8 in advance of its season opener at Davidson on Saturday, Nov. 12.