Bulldogs Open Season Friday Against Eastern Washington
November 12, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Tip-off is set for 8:05 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum. The contest will be broadcast on the SEC Network with Matt Stewart, John Pelphrey and Kaylee Hartung calling the action.
Friday's double-header starts with the nationally-ranked women's season opener against Samford at 5:15 p.m. Tickets Individual tickets cost $15 and are good for both contests. Women's season ticket holders can stay for the men's game, but are asked to relocate to open seats in the arena.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.hailstate.com/tickets, by phone at 1-888-GO-DAWGS or on game day at the Humphrey Coliseum ticket office. Humphrey Coliseum doors open at 4 p.m.
In addition, men's parking will be in effect, which means lots in Palmeiro, Sanderson, MacArthur and the Soccer Complex are reserved. However, extra shuttles will be available to move fans from other parking areas to the Hump. The Gameday parking assistance center phone line will also be available beginning at 4 p.m. and can assist with parking information or dispatching carts. That number is (662) 325-9114.
The Bulldogs enter their 104th season of basketball after a 95-56 win against Fort Valley State. Junior I.J. Ready paced MSU with 17 points, while five others recorded double-digit outings. Making their first appearances for the Bulldogs, freshman Quinndary Weatherspoon and senior Johnny Zuppardo logged productive minutes, scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Second-team All-SEC member Craig Sword and Zuppardo both eclipsed the double-double mark and led the team in rebounds with 10 each. The Bulldogs won the battle of the boards by a dominant 51-31 margin.
Second-team All-SEC member and McDonald's All-American Malik Newman anticipates making his debut in Maroon and White.
Friday's matchup marks the first meeting between MSU and Eastern Washington. The Eagles finished last season with a 26-9 overall record, the school's most victories since becoming a Division I member in the 1983-84 season. EWU was named regular season co-champion of the Big Sky Conference with a 14-4 record and claimed the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship to earn their second trip to the NCAA Tournament.
EWU returns five letter winners to a team that broke a school-record 2,820 total points scored and fewest turnovers (10.7 per game) a season ago. Senior Venky Jois and sophomore Bogdan Bliznyuk, who were tabbed to the preseason All-Big Sky Conference team, return as the squad's leading scorers with 16.7 and 8.7 points per game, respectively.
Fifth-year head coach Jim Hayford welcomes 12 newcomers to the team. Six true and redshirt freshmen anticipate making their collegiate debuts while three transfers will make their first appearance for the Eagles. Two additional newcomers will sit out the season to earn a redshirt, while another transfer will miss the season per NCAA transfer rules.
Overall, the Bulldogs are 80-23 in season openers, having won 10 of their last 13 lid-lifters.
Following Friday's matchup, MSU faces Southern University Monday night at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip-off for that contest is slated for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
