March 13, 2005
NORFOLK, VA-- The Monarchs of Old Dominion (28-5) will open theNCAA tournament on Friday against fifth seed Michigan STate (22-6).
The game will be played in the DCU center in Worcester, MA. Thiswill be ODU's first NCAA appearance since 1997. The 28 wins thisseason is a school record.
"We are very pround of the fact that we earned our way to representour school, the CAA and region in March madness, "said ODU head coachand CAA Coach of the Year, Blaine Taylor. " After nearly a decadeto return to the tournament is an very exiting for everyone envolved.This season has been a very memorable and rewarding journey. Our kids and program have every intention of putting their best foot forward andhaving our presence felt at the dance."
This will be the first meeting between the two schools. ODU play inWorcester in 1992 tournament against Kentucky.
"I think this will be a great matchup," said ODU 6-9 forward-centerAlex Loughton, the CAA Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. "Weboth have similar styles, but we will have our hands full. MichiganState is an outstanding team, but I think playing on a neutral siteand the way we have been playing this year should make for an excitinggame."
MONARCH GAME NOTES2005 NCAA ChampionshipsCurrent Record: 28-5/ 15-3 in CAACAA Champions2003-04 Record: 17-12CAA Record: 11-7 (CAA Semi-Finals)HEAD COACH:Blaine Taylor (Montana '81)Career Record: 212-113 (.630) in 11 seasonRecord at ODU: 70-48 (4th season)Record at Montana: 142-65 (7 years) 1991-1998
MONARCH PROBABLE STARTERSF 24 Kiah Thomas, 6-4, Sr, Norfolk, Va. 8.3 ppg/ 3.4 rpgF 40 Alex Loughton, 6-9, Jr, Perth Australia, 13.9 ppg/ 8.1 rpgF 31 Arnaud Dahi, 6-7, So, Ivory Coast, 10.3 ppg/ 5.5 rpgG 10 Drew Williamson, 6-0, So, 6.2 ppg/ 4.7 apgG 1 Isaiah Hunter, 6-2, Jr, Charlotte, NC, 13.4 ppg/ 3.2 rpg
OFF THE BENCHF 42 Valdas Vasylius, 6-7, So, Klaipeda, Lithuania 9.2 ppg/ 4.1 rpgG 3 John Morris, 6-2, So., Camp Hill, PA. 2.1 ppg/ 1.1 rpgF 20 Brian Henderson, 6-4, Fr., Richmond, Va. 2.8 ppg/ 1.3 rpgC 30 Sam Harris, 7-3, Fr., Newnham, Tasmania 1.9 ppg/ 1.6 rpgF 21 Jason Thompson, 6-5, Fr, Sanford, NC. 1.2 ppg/ 1.5 rpgG 4 Brandon Johnson, 6-1, Fr, Orlando, FL. 3.1 ppg/ 3.0 apg
MONARCH SEEDS IN NCAA TOURNAMENT1980 9th1982 10th1985 12th1986 8th1992 15th1995 14th1997 14th
PAST ODU NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS1979-80L 74-87 UCLA Tempe, AZ1981-82L 57-74 Wake ForestCharlotte, NC.1984-85L 68-85 SMUHartford, CT.1985-86W 72-64 West VirginiaGreensboro, NC.L 61-89 DukeGreensboro, NC.1991-92L 69-88 KentuckyWorcester, MA.1994-95W 89-81(3ot) VillanovaAlbany, NY.L 52-64 TulsaAlbany, NY.1996-97L 51-55 New MexicoPittsburgh, PA.