The Game: Towson (25-8, 15-3 CAA) @ Wake Forest (23-9, 13-7 ACC)
When: Wednesday, March 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Broadcast: ESPN+
--Broadcasters: Derek Jones, Bryndon Manzer
Radio/Online Broadcast: Towsontigers.com
--Broadcaster: Spiro Morekas
Series: First Meeting
 
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Towson University men's basketball team is set for its first-ever appearance in the National Invitation Tournament, playing at Wake Forest on Wed., March 16 at 7 p.m. for the first round.
 
The game will be broadcast online on ESPN+, available via subscription.  Derek Jones and Bryndon Manzer will have the call live from the LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem.  Spiro Morekas will also have the radio call on Towsontigers.com.
 
Towson, a Colonial Athletic Association regular season co-champion, fell in the league semifinal round to Delaware 69-56 on March 7 to stand at 25-8 overall and 15-3 in the CAA.  Wake Forest fell in the Atlantic Coast Conference second round to Boston College 82-77 on March 9 to be at 23-9 overall and 13-7 in the ACC.
 
Towson earned an automatic berth into the NIT as a CAA regular season champion and the 1-seed in the CAA Tournament.  Wake Forest is an at-large in the NIT.
 
This is the first-ever meeting between Towson and Wake Forest.  It is Towson's second game against an ACC opponent this year, a narrow 63-59 defeat at Pittsburgh on Nov. 19.   Wake Forest opened the season against its lone CAA foe thus far this year, defeating William & Mary 77-59 at home on Nov. 10.
 
TOWSON - BEST START IN DIVISION I HISTORY
Towson has earned its best season in its Division I history since the Tigers came to DI in the 1979-80 season.  Towson's 25 regular season victories over DI opponents this season is a program record, surpassing the 21 wins over DI foes during the 2013-14 year.
 
Towson has tied its winningest season in DI play with 2013-14, when the Tigers went 25-11.  It is just the second time since the 1993-94 campaign where the Tigers have won at least 21 games.  Towson's record for wins in a season came in 1976-77, when Towson State (DII) went 27-3.
 
Towson has earned its biggest turnaround in program history and currently best in Division I through March 14.  Towson has improved by 21 wins since last season.
1 - Towson, 21 (4 wins in 2020-21, 25 wins in 2021-22)
2 - Iowa State, 18 (2 wins in 2020-21, 20 wins in 2021-22)
     Middle Tennessee State, 18 (5 wins in 2020-21, 23 wins in 2021-22)
     Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 18 (5 wins in 2020-21, 23 wins in 2021-22)
 
#10 IN COLLEGEINSIDER.COM MID-MAJOR TOP-25
Towson has been recognized as one of the top mid-major programs currently in the country, landing at #10 (Mar. 7) in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25, which is voted on by coaches across the country.
 
The Tigers stand at No. 72 in the NCAA NET rankings, the highest among CAA schools and Maryland-based programs.  Towson has defeated Kent State and UNCW, also in the mid-major top-25.
 
HOLDEN - HENSON AWARD MID-SEASON WATCH LIST
Cam Holden was named to the 2021-22 Lou Henson Award Mid-Season Watch List on Jan. 12.  The Lou Henson National Player of the Year is awarded to the top mid-major player in DI college basketball.
 
In 33 games, Holden is Towson's leading rebounder with 8.1 boards a game, adding 11 double-doubles.  He also averages 13.7 points and 3.1 assists per game.
 
He ranks in the top-75 nationally in double-doubles (31st), rebounds per game (72nd), total steals (51st) and total rebounds (41st).
 
STANDOUT DEFENSE
Towson stands with the top scoring defense among CAA programs, allowing 64.0 points per game, 37th in DI and four points better than any other CAA team.  Towson has allowed 65 points or fewer in 21 games.
 
Towson in first in the CAA in field goal % defense at 41.2% and in three-point field goal % defense at 31.4%.
 
The Tigers also have the second-best rebounding margin in the CAA at +6.5, 19th in all of Division I.  Before the 2020-21 season, Towson finished the year having led the league in rebounding margin the previous seven seasons, finishing third at +2.2 last year.   
 
DOUBLING UP
Towson has been able to rely on a quintet of scorers thus far this year, who each have at least 13 games in double figure scoring.
--Nicolas Timberlake: 26 (6 with 20+ points)
--Cam Holden: 25 (5 with 20+ points)
--Charles Thompson: 19 (5 double-doubles)
--Terry Nolan Jr.: 14 (11 games with 5+ assists)
--Jason Gibson: 13 (9 games with 3+ 3-FGs)
 
TOWSON PREDICTED TO FINISH EIGHTH IN CAA
Towson was predicted to get eighth in the CAA in the league's preseason poll, voted on by the conference's head coaches, SIDs and media.
 
This past year, Towson finished the year at 4-14 overall and 3-9 in the CAA, plus had three pauses due to COVID-19.
 
Delaware is predicted to finish first in the preseason poll with 19 out of 36 possible first-place votes, followed by Northeastern at second with seven.  Reigning league champion Drexel is third followed by James Madison, Hofstra, Elon, Charleston, Towson, UNCW and William & Mary.
 
PASSING WELL
Towson stands with a 1.14 assist/turnover ratio, ranking third in the CAA.
 
Terry Nolan Jr. has the team's best assist/turnover ratio at 2.69, 18th in DI.  He has dished out at least five assists in 11 different games, including a career-high 10 assists against then #21 Ohio State.
 
Towson's top four players in assists have more assists than turnovers this year:
Cam Holden (102 assists - 82 turnovers)
Terry Nolan Jr. (97 A - 36 TO)
Jason Gibson (72 A - 33 TO)
Nicolas Timberlake (61 A - 60 TO)
 
SKERRY - APPROACHING 200 WINS
Pat Skerry is just four wins away from 200 as a head coach.  Currently, Skerry has amassed 172 victories at Towson, including seven years of at least 18 wins since the 2012-13 season.
 
Including two seasons leading Curry from 1996-98, Skerry has 196 wins as a head coach.  His teams have won double digit victories in 11 out of 13 seasons as a head coach.  Towson has won at least 20 games in four years, including this season for the first time since 2016-17.
 
Skerry is the third Towson men's basketball head coach with at least 150 wins.  Vince Angotti won 229 games as Towson's head coach from 1966-83 while Terry Truax notched 202 wins with the Tigers from 1983-97.  Skerry is also the third longest-tenured coach in Towson history and second-longest tenured coach among current CAA head coaches.
 
In June, Skerry served as a court coach for the 2021 USA Basketball Men's U19 World Cup training camp.  He was one of three coaches across the country selected for this role, working with some of the top up-and-coming talent in the country.  That team went on to win the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup in July.
 
REPPING THE HOME STATE
Towson's represents its home of the Old Line State well, having eight players from Maryland on the roster.
 
Baltimore-native Terry Nolan Jr. is back home after graduating from Bradley, having spent two years with the Braves and two more at George Washington.
 
From Severna Park comes Jason Gibson, who earned All-CAA Rookie Team honors in 2019-20.  Charles Thompson, from Fort Washington, earned a spot on the CAA All-Defensive Team last season.  Joining the team is Mount Airy-native Chase Paar after two years at George Washington.  Four more Tigers call Maryland home: Chris Caliguiran from Accokeek, Brandon Held from Marriottsville and two Bowie natives: Olugbemi Joseph and Justin Patterson.
 
TU.....TRANSFER U.....
    Towson has five players who have come to Towson from other NCAA Division I programs.
--#0 Antonio Rizzuto, transfer from UAlbany (2018-21)
--#1 Terry Nolan Jr., transfer from Bradley (2019-21) and GW (2017-19)
--#12 Juwan Gray, transfer from San Diego (2016-18)
--#13 Chase Paar, transfer from GW (2019-21)
--#55 Cam Holden, transfer from UT Martin (2020-21)
 
......BIG TIME TRANSFERS
Three of Towson's incoming transfers earned a league award with their respective teams last season.
 
Cam Holden was the second-ever UT Martin player to earn all-league honors, being Second Team All-OVC with 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds a contest.
 
Antonio Rizzuto was Second Team All-America East last year at UAlbany with 12.5 points a game in 2020-21.
 
Terry Nolan Jr. picked up an MVC Scholar-Athlete Team selection with 11.2 points and 3.3 assists a game last year.
 
SECU ARENA - TRUE HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Since SECU Arena opened in 2013, Towson has defended home court well with an 82-39 record in home games.
 
Of the first eight years, Towson has won at least two-thirds of its home games in five seasons. The 2013-14, the opening year of SECU, Towson went 15-1.
 
NATIONALLY TELEVISED TIGERS
Towson had several opportunities to shine on the national stage this year with multiple appearances on national television. (all times ET)
--Nov. 19, 6 p.m. at Pittsburgh - ACC Network
--Nov. 25, 9:30 p.m. vs. San Francisco - FS1
--Nov. 26, 9 p.m. vs. New Mexico - FS2
--Dec. 8, 9 p.m. at Ohio State - ESPNU
--Jan. 3, 6 p.m. at Drexel - CBS Sports Network
--Jan. 11, 5 p.m. vs. Hofstra - CBS Sports Network
--Feb. 10, 5 p.m. vs. W&M - CBS Sports Network
--Feb. 17, 6 p.m. @ UNCW - CBS Sports Network
--Mar. 7, 6 p.m. vs. Delaware – CBS Sports Network
 
In addition, Towson may have other chances to be on the CBS Sports Network as part of the CAA TV package with the channel.
 
ALUMNI PLAYING IN THE PROS
Towson currently has several alumni playing in the professional ranks across the world.
 
Mike Morsell signed a contract with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA G League before the 2021-22 season.  He is now playing for Spišskí Rytieri in Slovakia.
 
Dennis Tunstall '20, who signed with Basketball Academic Limburg in the Netherlands for the 2021-22 campaign.  Brian Fobbs '20 got his first professional contract for the 2021-22 season, going to Finland to play for the Vilpas Vikings.  Zane Martin and Alex Gavrilovic are playing in Sweden and Romania respectively.
 
Several of Towson players under Skerry have played professionally.  Signing contracts since 2020 include Tunstall, Nakye Sanders, Brian Fobbs, Alex Gavrilovic, Zane Martin, Timajh Parker-Rivera, Arnaud William Adala Moto and Brian Starr.  Many other players under Skerry have played professionally: Jerrelle Benimon, Mike Burwell, Marcus Damas, John Davis, Bilal Dixon, Four McGlynn and Mike Morsell.
 
CHANGES TO THE COACHING STAFF
11th-year head coach Pat Skerry announced a couple of changes on his coaching staff this season.  Pat O'Connell has been elevated to associate head coach in his sixth year with the program while Parfait Bitee, also in year six with Towson, moves up from director of player development to assistant coach.  Chris Conway joins the team as the new director of player development from Millersville.
 
Returning as well for the 2021-22 season is associate head coach Kevin Clark for his 11th year and director of operations Jordan Malkin for his second season.
 
Skerry, in year 11 with Towson, is the second-longest tenured coach among current CAA head coaches, only behind Bill Cohn of Northeastern, who is in his 16th year with the Huskies.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
Wake Forest finished fifth in its league under ACC Coach of the Year Steve Forbes.  Graduate student guard Alondes Williams earned ACC Player of the Year as the league's leading scorer and assistant with 19.2 points and 5.2 assists per game.  Junior forward Jake Laravia shoots 56.8% from 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds a contest.
 
ALL HOME GAMES TO AIR ON FLOSPORTS
For the 2021-22 season, all Towson men's and women's basketball home games will be broadcast online on FloSports, the exclusive online broadcast partner of the Colonial Athletic Association. Nearly all CAA conference games will be broadcast on FloSports.
 
Spiro Morekas, the voice of the Towson Tigers, is in his 31st season calling games for the men's basketball team.
 
SEVEN TIGERS LAND ON FALL 2021 HONOR ROLL
Seven Towson players earned Towson University honor roll status with a 3.0 or better GPA during the Fall 2021 semester: Chris Caliguiran, Jason Gibson, Tyler Gill, Juwan Gray, Brandon Held, Antonio Rizzuto and Nicolas Timberlake.  Caliguiran earned Towson Dean's List for having over a 3.5 GPA this past term.
 
HOLDEN, THOMPSON NAMED NABC ALL-DISTRICT
Two Towson players, Cam Holden and Charles Thompson, have been selected to the 2022 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division I All-District 10 Team.
 
Holden was voted to the All-District 10 First Team while Thompson was selected to the All-District 10 Second Team.  The pair, each earning their first-ever NABC selections, are two of 10 players to pick up NABC All-District 10 honors this season.
 
Holden, an All-CAA First Team player, member of the Lou Henson Award Mid-Season Watch List and a CAA All-Defensive Team selection, stands in the top-eight in the CAA in scoring, rebounding, assists per game, steals per game and assist/turnover ratio.  Earning 11 double-doubles and 25 double digit scoring games, Holden averages 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game.  He has team-bests with 267 rebounds, 102 assists and 63 steals.
 
Thompson adds this recognition to his All-CAA Second Team and CAA All-Defensive Team honors.  Thompson stands in the top-eight in rebounding, field goal % and blocks per game.  He earned five double-doubles, all in league play, and has scored in double figures 19 times for 10.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.  The junior shoots 61.2% from the field and has amassed 221 rebounds and 51 blocks.
 
THREE TIGERS HONORED ON ALL-CAA TEAMS
Three players from the Towson University men's basketball team have been recognized on the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) All-Conference Teams.
 
Cam Holden and Nicolas Timberlake earned All-CAA First Team recognition while Charles Thompson was placed on the All-CAA Second Team.  In addition, Holden and Thompson were chosen for the CAA All-Defensive Team.
 
This is the first time in program history where two Tigers earned All-CAA First Team in the same season.  Holden and Timberlake are the third and fourth Towson players to ever earn All-CAA First Team selections and first since Jerrelle Benimon earned his second First Team honor in the 2013-14 season.
 
Holden stands in the top-10 in the CAA in several categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists and steals per game.
 
Timberlake earns his first-ever all-conference award, adding to his trophy case after being the 2019-20 CAA Sixth Man of the Year.
 
Thompson also is a first-time all-conference honoree, landing on the CAA All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season.