Men's Basketball to Begin Non-Conference Play at No. 9 Virginia - Drexel University Athletics

Men’s Basketball to Begin Non-Conference Play at No. 9 Virginia – Drexel University Athletics

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Drexel Men’s Basketball will face No. 9 Virginia in its non-conference opener on Tuesday, traveling to Charlottesville for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. The game, sponsored by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, marks the start of Drexel’s season under head coach Zach Spiker, who has led the Dragons to six consecutive winning seasons. Drexel’s defense ranked in the NCAA top 25 last season, allowing opponents a 47.1% effective field goal percentage and 30.3% three-point shooting, the 11th-best mark in the country.

The Cavaliers, who finished 30-6 last season, are led by first-year head coach Ryan Odom and freshman forward Thijs De Ridder. UVA advanced to the ACC Finals before falling to Duke and reached the NCAA tournament’s second round, losing to No. 23 Tennessee. Virginia holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series against Drexel, with the last matchup in 2011. The Dragons will host Colgate at the Daskalakis Athletic Center on Saturday, November 7, at 2 p.m.

Key Roster Notes

Drexel returns players like Josh Reed, Clem Edomwonyin, and Dillon Tingler, alongside new additions Amaree Abram, Adrian Petkovic, and Panagiotis Pagonis. The team’s defensive metrics improved after January 1, rising to fifth and seventh in respective categories.

Virginia’s Season and Coaching Changes

Virginia opened the season with an 11-1 record, posting a 15-3 mark against ACC opponents. The Cavaliers’ 30-6 overall record included an ACC Finals appearance and a second-round NCAA tournament exit. Odom, in his first year as head coach, guided the team through a strong conference campaign.

Series History and Upcoming Matchups

Virginia’s 2-0 lead in the all-time series against Drexel dates back to their 2011 meeting. The Dragons’ next game is against Colgate on November 7, with tickets available via the Drexel Athletics website.

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