NORFOLK, Va. – Conference USA announced the official change from Thursday and Saturday basketball games to Friday, Saturday games in order to provide a safer environment for teams. The Monarchs will also welcome North Dakota and Virginia Wesleyan to Chartway Arena on Dec. 11 and Dec. 22, respectively. With the additions, the Monarchs will now tip-off the season with seven consecutive contests at home.
As previously announced, Conference USA will be making adjustments to its regular season conference scheduling and Championship formats for women's basketball, as approved by the league's Board of Directors. This season, the league will move to a new 18-game regular season format for conference play that focuses on the health and safety of student-athletes.
In this format, schools will play two games per visit at four select C-USA schools and host four select teams for a two-game series, while playing a rival opponent one-time home and away. The Monarchs open conference play with two games at Chartway Arena against FIU, beginning on Jan. 1.
The league also implemented a requirement of at least 21 hours in between tipoffs to provide appropriate rest periods. Tip off times will be announced at a later date.
To view the entire C-USA release, click here.
The 2021 C-USA Basketball Championship format will return to its familiar 12-team field that it has utilized for the past several seasons. The top 12 regular season finishers in conference play will qualify for the Championship.
The Monarchs matchup against North Dakota is the first meeting between the two programs. Last season, the Fighting Hawks compiled a 15-15 overall record and a 6-10 mark in Summit League play.
Prior to getting C-USA play started, ODU will play the Marlins for the first time since the 1969-70 season.
The Monarchs will add one more road game to be announced at a later date.
Based on state and local guidelines, ODU plans to allow 1,000 ticketed fans in Chartway Arena per game. Seating will be socially-distanced and all tickets will be provided via mobile delivery. Seat locations will be determined by the ODAF priority point system.
Priority for purchasing tickets will be provided starting with ODAF members and season ticket holders from last year. Seat holders from the 2019-2020 season will be contacted via email today (Nov 5) with further information and instructions for purchasing tickets.
2020-21 OLD DOMINION WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Thursday, Dec. 3 - William & Mary
Sunday, Dec. 6 - VCU
Friday, Dec. 11 – North Dakota
Sunday, Dec. 13 - SC Upstate
Tuesday, Dec. 22 – Virginia Wesleyan
Friday, Jan. 1 - FIU
Saturday, Jan. 2 - FIU
Friday, Jan. 8 - at Florida Atlantic
Saturday, Jan. 9 - at Florida Atlantic
Friday, Jan. 15 - Rice
Saturday, Jan. 16 - Rice
Friday, Jan. 22 - at North Texas
Saturday, Jan. 23 - at North Texas
Friday, Jan. 29 - WKU
Saturday, Jan. 30 - WKU
Friday, Feb. 5 - at Marshall
Saturday, Feb. 6 - at Marshall
Friday, Feb. 12 - Charlotte
Saturday, Feb. 13 - at Charlotte
Friday, Feb. 19 - UAB
Saturday, Feb. 20 - UAB
Friday, Feb. 26 - at Middle Tennessee
Saturday, Feb. 27 - at Middle Tennessee
Home games are in bold
Game times are TBD
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Conference USA Shifts Women’s Hoops Schedule; Monarchs Add North Dakota and Virginia Wesleyan to Home Slate
Keith Lucas