Storylines – vs. Elizabeth City State University
The Cavaliers will tip-off the 2017-18 season taking on the Vikings of Elizabeth City State. This is the fourth consecutive season UVa-Wise will open their campaign against Elizabeth City State University and the third-straight season the team will participate in the Earl Lloyd Classic Tournament, hosted by West Virginia State. In 2015, the Cavaliers were outlasted by Elizabeth City State with the Vikings earning a 73-69 victory. UVa-Wise bounced back last season as the Cavs walked away with a three-point, 100-97 overtime win. In last year's season opener, the Cavs went 35-66 (.53) from the field, going 5-17( .29) from beyond the arc, and made 25-of-41 free throws (.61). Elizabeth City State shot 44.7 percent from the field and made 12-of-19 free throws (.63). The Vikings went 2-23 overall in the 2016-17 season, posting a 2-14 record in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, falling in the first round of the CIAA Tournament to Johnson C. Smith University, 84-66. Head Coach John Hill enters into his first season with the Vikings as announced by the University's Athletics Department in May 2017. This year ECSU will be without the Vikings' leading scorers from a season ago in Elon Edwards and Jordan Jones but will introduce a number of newcomers with six freshman on this season's roster. ECSU has been selected to finish last this year in the CIAA with the Vikings receiving 16 points in the preseason poll.
About UVa-Wise
UVa-Wise looks to build momentum early to open it's 2017-18 campaign, finishing last season with a 9-20 overall record and going 7-15 in the Mountain East Conference. Picked eighth in the MEC preseason poll, UVa-Wise will endeavor to accomplish greater heading into this season after being ousted in the first round of the MEC Tournament by Glenville State College, 84-66 . The Cavaliers will have a strong foundation this year with 10 letter winners returning, including all five of last season's starters. One of the starters returning this year is 6-foot-7 senior forward Taiwo Badmus, who had a standout season averaging a double-double of 21.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Badmus registered 14 double-doubles on the season and led the Cavs in both scoring and rebounding. UVa-Wise will also be joined by three freshman in Gianni Street, Briggs Parris, and Jordan Pointer as well as Palm Beach State College transfer, Rahji Langford.
