LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University men’s basketball team will take on North Carolina State University Thanksgiving Day in the first round of the 2007 Old Spice Classic. The game is scheduled to be played Thursday, November 22, at 2:00 pm and televised live on ESPN2.
\”We are very excited about the opportunity to play NC State on national TV,\” said Rider head coach Tommy Dempsey. \”It will be a great challenge for our players but I know they are looking forward to it.\”
Rider will be one of eight teams competing in the three-game Old Spice Classic Thanksgiving weekend at the Milk House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. \”I know our players, coaches, administration, alumni, boosters, and fans are extremely excited about the tournament,\” said Dempsey.
ESPN Regional Television, Inc. announced the tournament pairings Monday. In other first round action, South Carolina plays Penn State at 12 noon, Villanova plays Central Florida at 7:00 pm and George Mason plays Kansas State at 9:00 pm. \”It also gives us an opportunity to really challenge our basketball team early in the season against great competition,\” Dempsey said. Games Friday begin at 10:30 am and Sunday they run from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm.
\”These are terrific fields that reflect the credibility and brand value of ESPN and Disney’s Wide World of Sports,\” Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Commissioner Rich Ensor said. \”This is why the Old Spice Classic has gained such acceptance from the coaches and teams in such a short time.\”
\”It is a real honor that the people at the MAAC, ESPN and Disney have invited us to play in such a prestigious tournament,\” Dempsey said.
Coverage of Old Spice Classic games will air on ESPN2 and ESPNU. \”The ESPN television exposure will be great for our basketball program and our university,\” Dempsey said.
Rider has never played North Carolina State. Rider upset South Carolina in 1982-83 in the only meeting with the Gamecocks. The Broncs have played Villanova the last two seasons, and played Penn State in the 1997-98 NIT. Rider is 1-2 against George Mason and played at Central Florida in 1986-87. Rider has never played Kansas State.
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