March 11, 2007
NORFOLK, VA-- The Old Dominion University Monarchs (24-8) earned a trip to the NCAA's Big Dance Sunday as an atlarge selection and will meet fifth seed Butler on Thursday in Buffalo, NY. The Monarchs are a 12th seed in the Midwest Regional and this is their first atlarge bid since 1986.
ODU last competed in the NCAA Tournament in 2005 as theCAA Champion. Last year, the Monarchs reached the NIT semi-finals.
This will be the second meeting between ODU and Butler. In the 1999NIT second round, ODU lost at Butler, 75-62.
In the other bracket, the Monarchs are 1-4 against Maryland, beatingthe Terps, 87-73 in 1986-87. The last time the two met was in 1987-88and Maryland won, 70-65. ODU and Davidson have never met.
Blaine Taylor QUOTES
"There was a lot of emotion and anxiety for us all week, but when we saw our name early,that was a big relief.
I am so happy for our kids, the university and the fans.
I felt all along we deserved to get in. I think the stretch run of 12 wins at the end of the season and the fact we beat all of the top teams in our league, won six in that stretch on the road, which included a bracket buster win at Toledo, also the win early in the year atGeorgetown gave us credibility.This really caps off a great year for our seniors (Drew Williamson Arnaud Dahi, Valdas Vasylius and John Morris).
We are fortunate, some really good teams had there bubble burst today."
Past ODU NCAA Tournament Appearances
ODU NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS (ODU Seed)
1979-80L 74-87UCLA(at Arizona)9th1981-82L 57-74Wake Forest (Charlotte) 10th1984-85L 68-85SMU (Hartford) 12th1985-86W 72-64West Virginia (Greensboro) 8thL 61-89Duke1991-92L 69-88Kentucky (Worcester) 15th1994-95W 89-81(3 OT) Villanova (Albany) 14thL 52-64Tulsa1996-97L 51-55New Mexico (Pittsburgh) 14th2004-05L 81-89Michigan State (Worcester) 12th