March 16, 2009
NORFOLK, VA--The Old Dominion University Monarchs (21-10) will host The Citadel (20-12) from the Southern Conference Thursday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in the opening round of the inaugural CollegeInsider.com Post Season Tournament. Game time is 7 p.m.
"We are extremely pleased to be playing in the inaugural CIT and to have a game in the Constant Center," said ODU Athletic Director, Jim Jarrett. It is a great reward for our program and fans who have supported us throughout the year."
The Monarchs, who have won 20 or more games four of the last five seasons are making their fifth straight post season appearance. ODU was 12-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association tying for third place,and won 10 of their last 12 games.
"We are delighted to have an opportunity to keep playing the game we love," said ODU head coachBlaine Taylor. "We played so well down the stretch, and this is a very rewarding for our young squad. I think there is room for tournaments like the CIT, because there are so many deserving teams out there."
This is the first meeting between the two teams since the 1966-67 season. ODU won that contest played in Charleston, 78-70. The Bulldogs are coached by the 2009 SoCon Media Association Coach of the Year,Ed Conroy as The Citadel had the largest one-year turnaround in school and Southern Conference history. The Citadel tied College of Charleston for second in the SoCon Southern Division with a 15-5conference record.
Leading the Bulldogs on the court are 6-1 sophomore Cameron Wells (15.5 ppg/ 5.0 rpg and 6-8 red-shirt senior Demetrius Nelson (16.1 ppg/6.6 rpg). Nelson was named first team All-SoCon and Wells to the second team.
The Monarchs are led by 6-10 junior Gerald Lee at 15.8 points per game and 5.7 rebounds, followed by 6-5 sophomore Ben Finney (10.5 ppg/ 6.0 rpg). Lee earned first team All-CAA and NABC District 10 honors. He was also named to the CAA's All-Tournament squad.
After the opening round games which will be played March 17/18, the quarterfinals will be played atfour sites on March 23rd with the semifinals at two sites on March 25th. The Championship game willbe played on March 31.
Tickets will go on sale to the General public at 2 p.m. Today. Fans can also go online to order tickets on www.coxtix.com, or call 888-3-coxtix. Tickets are $13.00 for adults and $5.00 for youth 17 and under.The first 400 ODU students at the gate will be admitted free.
The 16 team field includes: TUESDAY: Rider (19-12) at Liberty (22-11)Kent State (19-14) at Oakland (22-12); WEDNESDAY: MT. St. Mary's (19-13) at JMU (19-14)Austin Peay (19-13) at Bradley (18-14); Belmont (19-12) at Evansville (17-13)Portland (19-12) at Pacific (19-12); Drake (17-15) at Idaho (16-15).
SEASON TICKET HOLDERSAttention season ticket holders who ordered the 3 game combo through the presale. All will call orders are currently available for pick up during normal box office hours through game time Thursday. Fans who chose the Print-At-Home option should be receiving their tickets via email Tuesday 3/17/09. All season ticket holders who ordered the combo will be receiving all 3 games in the package. If you have any questions, please call the Constant Center box office at 757-683-4444.