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NCCU Faces Rival North Carolina A&T Saturday in CBS Sports Classic: HBCU Showcase

Lawrence Davis III @LawDavis13 @SpecMagSports

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) men’s basketball team is set to renew its rivalry with North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT) on Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Corbett Sports Center. This showdown is part of the CBS Sports Classic: HBCU Showcase and will tip off at 2 p.m., followed by Howard University taking on Hampton University at 4 p.m. Fans can catch both games live on CBS or stream them on Paramount+.

GAME DETAILS

  • Who: North Carolina Central Eagles (6-9, 0-0 MEAC) vs. North Carolina A&T Aggies (3-10, 0-1 CAA)
  • What: CBS Sports Classic: HBCU Showcase
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
  • Where: Corbett Sports Center, Greensboro, N.C.
  • Broadcast: CBS & Paramount+

NCCU Eagles: Defensive Dominance and Bench Depth

The Eagles enter the matchup after a hard-fought 82-67 loss to Longwood University on Dec. 20. Despite the setback, junior guard Po’Boigh King shined with 21 points and six rebounds, while redshirt senior guard Isaac Parson dished out 10 assists, marking his second double-digit assist game of the season.

Last season, NCCU claimed a 67-62 victory over NCAT in Greensboro, breaking a two-game losing streak against the Aggies from the 2020-21 season.

The Eagles continue to impress defensively, ranking among the top 15 in several NCAA categories:

  • 3rd in turnovers forced per game (17.87)
  • 11th in turnover margin (+5.5)
  • 14th in steals per game (10.3)

Offensively, NCCU’s bench is a key contributor, averaging 30.13 points per game (39th nationally) and fueling a fast-paced transition game that produces 15.8 fast-break points per contest (24th nationally).

NC A&T Aggies: Offensive Stars and Defensive Highlights

The Aggies are coming off a 95-67 loss to the University of Arkansas on Dec. 21. Ryan Forrest led the team with 19 points, while Landon Glasper added 16. Both players rank among the Coastal Athletic Association’s top scorers, with Glasper averaging 18.8 points per game (third) and Forrest at 18.1 points per game (fourth).

NCAT ranks highly in key areas:

  • 46th nationally in turnovers per game (10.4)
  • 66th in three-point percentage defense (30.1%)

Glasper is also a standout, ranking fourth in the NCAA in total field goal attempts (225), while Camian Shell is second in the CAA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.7).

The Rivalry Continues

With NCCU trailing in the all-time series 76-84, the Eagles are eager to close the gap against their historic rivals. This high-energy matchup is more than just a game—it’s a showcase of HBCU excellence on a national stage.

For more updates on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.

Photo: Kevin Dorsey, NCCU Athletics