NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion men's basketball team (7-12, 3-3 C-USA) will look to remain undefeated at home in league play this week, when the Monarchs host a pair of schools that enter the week with a 4-2 mark in the Conference USA standings. First on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPNU, ODU will welcome FIU (13-6, 4-2 C-USA) to Chartway Arena. Then on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+, Old Dominion will take on Florida Atlantic (12-7, 4-2 C-USA).
Coaches vs. Cancer's Suits And Sneakers Week:
ODU head coach Jeff Jones and his staff will wear sneakers during Thursday night's contest in support of Coaches vs. Cancer's Suits And Sneakers Week.
The Cancer death rate declined 29% from 1991-2017, including a 2.2% drop from 2016-2017, the largest single-year drop in cancer mortality ever reported. This is important news for fans, families, friends and neighbors who are or who may be affected by cancer.
The steady 26-year decline is driven by long-term drops in death rates for the four major cancers: lung, colorectal, breast and prostate. When coaches tie their shoelaces before the games during Coaches vs. Cancer's Suits And Sneakers Week, remember that the efforts to raise awareness and to help raise funds, are saving lives.
All-Time Series vs. FIU:
Old Dominion has never lost to FIU, as the Monarchs have won all seven previous meetings. Last season in Miami, ODU pulled out a 75-74 victory over the Panthers. Old Dominion is 3-0 when playing Florida International in Norfolk. These two programs first met during the 2013-14 season, in a game the Monarchs won 52-36. These schools have met at least once every season since 2013-14.
All-Time Series vs. Florida Atlantic:
Old Dominion is 7-2 all-time against Florida Atlantic and is 4-1 when playing the Owls in Norfolk. FAU took down ODU last season in Boca Raton by an 80-73 score. These two programs first met during the 2006-07 season, in a game the Monarchs claimed a 70-55 victory.
Old Dominion:
Old Dominion is coming off a 66-62 win over Charlotte on Monday night, which snapped a three-game skid for the Monarchs. Jason Wade connected on 10-14 from the floor for his career-high 23 points, to go along with five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Also, in double-figures for ODU were A.J. Oliver II (12 points, four rebounds and one steal) and Malik Curry (11 points, four assists, one block and one steal). Aaron Carver hauled down a game-high 15 boards, to compliment seven points and one block.
Radio:
Thursday and Saturday's games will air across the ODU Sports Radio Network with Ted Alexander and Dave Twardzik's live pregame shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
FIU:
Head coach Jeremy Ballard is in the midst of his second season at FIU, after most recently serving as an assistant coach at VCU. Ballard and the Panthers finished 20-14 (10-8 C-USA) in 2018-19 and advanced to the second round of the CIT, which marked the program's first ever postseason victory.
So far this season, Florida International has been led by Devon Andrews (16.8 ppg), Osasumwen Osaghae (13.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and Trejon Jacob (12.2 ppg).
Florida Atlantic:
Dusty May is in his second season at the helm in Boca Raton, after turning in a 17-16 overall record last year and an 8-10 mark in league play. Last year, the Owls received a bid to the CIT, where they lost in the first round to Charleston Southern University.
This year's FAU squad enters the week with a 12-7 record, after going 4-2 in C-USA action. Florida Atlantic will first visit Charlotte before Saturday's showdown in Norfolk.
Cornelius Taylor (12.5 ppg) has led the way for the Owls so far this season, as he is the team's only player averaging double-figures.
ODU Hosts FIU on Thursday (ESPNU) and Florida Atlantic on Saturday (ESPN+)
