LISTEN LIVE

EAST GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T men's basketball team is set to hit the hardwood again after having their quest to win a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament title cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Aggies head to Champaign, Ill. to participate in a multi-team event from Nov. 25-27. The season-opener will be played against No. 8 Illinois on Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. EST. 
 
"I'm really happy for the guys being able to get back on the court and do what they love," said head coach Will Jones. "We are going to take it one game at a time. We have to be ready for disruption this year. Our overall goal is to be the first to the finish line in the MEAC regardless of what that looks like." 
 
Starters Returning 
The Aggies are returning two starters from last year in senior guards Tyler Maye and Kameron Langley. They made up almost 25 percent of the team's scoring last season. Langley, who already broke the school and conference records for career assists, is sitting just outside the top 100 all-time in the same category.
 
He was voted MEAC preseason player of the year while Maye was voted third-team all-conference.
 
"It's great to have experienced guards back," said Jones. "Kam continues to get better. I'm really impressed with his leadership during the offseason. We will go as he goes. T-Maye is one of the best scoring guards in the league and he also had a great offseason. We look forward to some great games out of Tyler." 
 
Starters Lost 
"Man, I miss these guys," said Jones. "They deserved to raise a trophy. They left it all on the line. I'm happy that they are continuing to have success playing basketball. We will have a tough time replacing what these guys brought night after night." 
 
Starters lost to graduation include Ronald Jackson, Devin Haygood and Andre Jackson. Last season, Ronald Jackson led the team in scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding (10.4 rpg) averaging a double-double and was first-team All-MEAC.  
 
Haygood protected the paint with a team-high 43 blocks while Andre Jackson kept defenses honest with his outside shooting. 
 
Other Returners 
N.C. A&T has seven players returning from last year including MEAC all-rookie team selection Fred Cleveland, Jr. Tyrone Lyons, Kwe Parker and Harry Morrice are also back. Parker is well-known for his high-flying antics having made SportsCenter's Top 10 plays regularly in his career highlighted by last year's 360 alley-oop flush against UMES courtesy of a Langley toss.
 
"All of these guys started multiple games last year," said Jones. "Kwe was playing at an all-conference level before a foot injury last year. He's the best defender in the MEAC. He really deserves more respect for his part."
 
Cleveland, Jr. earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors multiple times, made the Sun Bowl All-Tournament team and led the Aggies in three-pointers made with 50. Lyons is coming off his most impressive collegiate season that saw him average a career-best 7.1 points per game including a career-high 17 points at Bradley on Dec. 7.
 
"Fred has gotten stronger and more confident. I'm really impressed with his growth," said Jones. "Ty Lyons has a chance to impact our team at a high level this year. He has matured and is ready to be a major factor. Also I'm looking forward to Harry Morrice and Webster Filmore's impact this year." 
 
 Morrice quickly became a fan favorite in #ClubCorbett and is positioned for a breakout year after impressing as a freshman earning MEAC Rookie of the Week honors once. 
 
Newcomers 
There are a plethora of newcomers. The transfers include Blake Harris (N.C. State), Jeremy Robinson (West LA CC), Quentin Jones (MSO-West Plains), Tyler Jones (UMES), David Greer (SW Mississippi CC) and Kenyon Duling (SIU Edwards). 
 
"Blake is playing the best basketball of his career," said Jones. "I can't wait to have him on the floor with this group. He does it on both ends and scores at all three levels. Quentin and Jeremy will do a great job filling in Ron Jackson's impact. We get a little bit of everything between these two.
 
Tyler Jones continues to get his feel back and will give us a post to throw it inside to. I'm excited to see him get there. David Greer is working hard and should give us a defensive presence inside."
 
Incoming freshmen are Milton Matthews, Justin Brooks, Trey Crews and Ahmad Hamilton. Hamilton, Crews and Brooks are likely to sit out this season as redshirts. 
 
"These guys have really worked hard to catch on to what we are trying to do," said Jones. "COVID has really made them have to learn a little faster than normal, but to their credit, they have attacked every day with a hungry mindset."