Richmond, Utah State, Virginia Tech to join Navy at 2021 Veterans Classic in Annapolis

On Thursday afternoon, Navy athletics announced that they had reached a multi-year deal with CBS Sports Network, continuing the Veterans Classic.

This upcoming season, Richmond, Utah State and Virginia Tech will all travel to Annapolis to compete in the event on Friday, Nov. 12. This will be the eighth season of the Veterans Classic.

Opening the doubleheader action will be one of the best teams in the Atlantic-10, Richmond, and a Utah State team with multiple local ties.

New Aggie head coach Ryan Odom spent four season at nearby UMBC, living in Annapolis while doing so. He brings along former Retrievers RJ Eytle-Rock and Southern High School product Brandon Horvath. That game will tip-off at 6 p.m.

In the nightcap, Navy will play nearby Virginia Tech.

The two schools are only a state apart, but have not faced off since 2008 where they met in Washington D.C.

Virginia Tech finished last year with a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, and a third-place finish in the ACC. The Hokies are expected to have a team that will feature Berlin, Maryland product Keve Aluma, who was an All-ACC second team selection last year. Aluma is testing the NBA Draft waters but has not signed an agent.

Navy finished in first place in the Patriot League this past seas but fell to Loyola in the conference tournament quarterfinals. Still, the season was a massive success and the best yet under Ed DeChellis. Navy finished with a 15-3 record — a resume that included a win over Georgetown — the regular season Patriot League crown, and a No. 13 ranking in RPI. The core of that roster returns.

The Mids vs. the Hokies will tip-off at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for the event at Navysports.com.