Salem University tips off its 2020-21 men's basketball season this afternoon as the Tigers travel to Beckley, W.Va., to take on West Virginia Tech. Game time is 1 p.m. at the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center.
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, spectators will not be allowed at the contest. Live Video and Live Stats are available for the game, courtesy West Virginia Tech.
 
Salem won 14 of its final 16 games in 2019-20 to finish with an 18-8 record. The Tigers ran off an 11-game winning streak and have won their last seven road games.
 
The Tigers return three double-digit scorers from last season, including the 2019-20 Eastern College Athletics Conference Division II Men's Basketball Player of the Year Jordan Forbes. The 6-4 senior guard ranked 27th in the nation with 21.5 points per game and also led the Tigers in rebounds (8.7 per game) and assists (4.3). He eclipsed the 30-point mark six times last season, including a career-high 42 points to help rally Salem from a 23-point deficit in a victory over Alderson-Broaddus.
 
Shawn Christian averaged 13.5 points per contest and ranked fifth in the nation with 3.67 three-point field goals per game. The 6-0 senior guard scored a career-high 29 points and matched a career best with eight 3-pointers in last year's season-opening victory at West Virginia Wesleyan. He connected on at least five 3-pointers nine times last season, including another eight 3's in a win at Glenville State.
 
Fonz Hale recorded 11.8 points per game while coming off the bench in 21 of 26 games last season. The 5-11 junior guard has averaged in double figures in each of his first two years at Salem. Hale scored 27 points on 10-for-12 shooting against Oakland City, coming within one point of matching a career high. His basket with 26 seconds left proved to be the game winner in the Tigers' two-point win over Central State.
 
Robert Ford enters his second year as head coach and third year on the Tigers' coaching staff. Joining Ford on the sidelines are second-year assistant coach Carliss Williamson and first-year graduate assistant coach Dominick Shannon. Salem has a combined 35-17 (.673 winning percentage) over the past two seasons.

West Virginia Tech (0-1) opened its season Friday with an 87-71 loss at NAIA nationally top-ranked Georgetown (Ky.).

Today's contest is the first meeting between Salem and West Virginia Tech since the 2014-15 season. The Tigers won 83-72.
 
Salem has two more road contests scheduled before playing host to a rematch against West Virginia Tech in the Tigers' home opener November 24. Spectators will not be allowed at home games at T. Edward Davis Gymnasium in 2020-21.