Stream: Stadium’s Facebook Page
Radio: Ted Alexander (PxP) and ODU Hall of Famer/NBA Champion Dave Twardzik's (color) live pregame show will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST. All ODU men’s basketball games air on: ESPN 94.1 (in Hampton Roads, Va.); WNTW 820 AM and 97.7 FM The Answer (in Richmond and Central Va.); WLVA 94.1 FM and Fox Sports 580 AM (in Lynchburg, Va.).
Stats: CLICK HERE
Twitter: @ODUMBB
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion men’s basketball team (16-4, 7-1 C-USA) will host Middle Tennessee (16-5, 8-1 C-USA) in a battle for first place on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 8:00 p.m. EST at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The game will air on Facebook Live through Stadium’s page.
CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO WATCH STREAM
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: OLD DOMINION
-ODU has won four in a row and 11 of its last 12 contests.
-Old Dominion is 49-9 at the Ted over the past 4+ seasons.
-Old Dominion is allowing just 62.9 points per game, which ranks 12th nationally and first in the conference.
-The Monarchs rank 20th in the country and first in the C-USA for its field-goal percentage defense (39.8).
-The Monarchs turn the ball over just 10.5 times per contest, which ranks 10th nationally and 2nd in Conference USA. Their 209 total turnovers ranks 5th in the country and second in the league.
-Old Dominion’s 4.2 turnover margin ranks 14th nationally and third in the conference.
-ODU’s 1.44 assist/turnover ratio ranks 17th in the country (2nd in the C-USA).
-Old Dominion is ranked 18th in the nation and second in the conference for fewest fouls (325).
-Ahmad Caver ranks 3rd in the country and first in Conference USA for most minutes played per game (38:03).
-Caver ranks 17th in the NCAA and second in the conference for averaging 6.2 apg. His 123 total assists ranks 29th in the country and third in the conference.
-Caver’s 3.00 assist to turnover ratio ranks 22nd nationally and first the C-USA.
-Caver ranks 24th in Division I and second in Conference USA for averaging 2.25 steals per outing.
-Old Dominion is 13-0 when allowing 67 points or less.
-The Monarchs are 13-2 when leading at the half.
-Old Dominion is 12-2 when outrebounding its opponent.
-ODU is 12-3 in games they shoot 40% or higher from the floor.
-The Monarchs are 5-0 on the road in C-USA play.
-The Monarchs are 7-0 when scoring 80 or more points.
OLD DOMINION LEADERS
POINTS: Ahmad Caver 14.7 (17th in C-USA)
REBOUNDS: Brandan Stith 7.6 rpg (7th in C-USA)
ASSISTS: Ahmad Caver 6.2 apg (17th in the country, 2nd in C-USA)
STEALS: Ahmad Caver 2.25 spg (24th in country, 2nd in C-USA)
BLOCKS: Brandan Stith 1.75 bpg (72nd in the country, 5th in C-USA)
MEET MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Kermit Davis, the 2017 C-USA Coach of the Year, is in the midst of his 16th season with Middle Tennessee and his 23rd season coaching overall. He has compiled a 444-255 record in his 23 seasons and a 307-180 record as the head coach of the Blue Raiders.
Davis coached the Blue Raiders to their second straight Conference USA Championship last season before leading them into their second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. The Blue Raiders went on to win their first round games both seasons. Davis has also led his team into the post-season twelve times during his career, including 7 NCAA Tournament appearances.
So far this season Middle Tennesse has been led by Alabama grad transfer Nick King, who is averaging 21.2 points and 7.9 rebounds. Giddy Potts follows, averaging 12.9 points. Brandon Walters also averages double-figures (10.8 ppg).
The Blue Raiders have won three in a row and eight of their last nine.
Both team’s season stats are attached.