Entering the top 25 this week was the Monarchs of Old Dominion. Only two years ago, the bottom dropped out on the Monarchs as they fell to 5-25. After being a regular contender in the Colonial, the Monarchs had moved up to the Conference USA. Former Virginia coach Jeff Jones came aboard last year and got them back to .500. They've started this season 13-1 and are making Conference USA look like a multiple bid league.
The only loss ODU has this year was on a neutral court to Illinois State, a mediocre team. They do have a neutral court win over LSU and a home win over VCU. They also beat Sun Belt favorite, Georgia State at home. It's not a great resume but they've taken care of business.
Old Dominion is one of the better rebounding teams in the nation on both sides of the glass, falling in the top 30 of both offensive and defensive rebounding %. They are definitely a defensive minded team. They are 19th in Adjusted D and a pedestrian 104th in Adjusted O. They don't get to the line often but guard without fouling. They have the ability to definitely be a pain in someone's side come March.
Campbell transfer and Jr. G, Trey Freeman leads the Monarchs in scoring. When he's in the game, the ball will be in his hand and probably leaving towards the hoop. Sr. F, Richard Ross averages 9 & 6, while last year's leading scorer, Jr. G, Aaron Bacote is scoring 6 points less a game deferring more of the scoring to Freeman. Sophomore G Ambrose Mosely provides good minutes as well.
Old Dominion left the Colonial and moved to the FBS in football, chasing the dragon. The transition was a bit rough on the hoops end but with Jeff Jones at the helm, ODU looks poised for long-term success with only two seniors among rotation players. Still a lot of time left in the season but ODU has a chance to make it back to the dance for the first time since 2011
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