NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Christopher Newport opens its 53rd season of men's basketball Saturday night in Baltimore, as the ninth-ranked Captains take on the Blue Jays of Johns Hopkins. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Goldfarb Gymnasium. 

John Krikorian's squad is coming off a 29-4 record last season. The Captains advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last four seasons, and also just the second time in program history.

The Captains have six seniors returning, and have been picked to repeat as Champions of the Capital Athletic Conference as well as being ranked ninth in the national pre-season poll from D3hoops.com.

Johns Hopkins is coming off an 18-9 record last season, and the Blue Jays are picked second behind only Swarthmore in the pre-season poll of Centennial Conference coaches. The meeting Saturday night will be just the second all-time of the two programs. Christopher Newport defeated Johns Hopkins, 54-44,  in the title game of the Captains Shootout on December 30, 2017. 

Following Saturday night's opener, the Captains host Shenandoah on Tuesday at the Freeman Center in Christopher Newport's home opener. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. The 2019-2020 season will mark the 20th season of action in the Freeman Center for Christopher Newport basketball.