NORFOLK, Va. – Head coach of the Old Dominion University women's basketball program DeLisha Milton-Jones unveiled today the Monarchs' complete 2021-22 schedule. A total of 30 regular season contests, including 14 inside Chartway Arena, are on tap for the Monarchs.
ODU's nonconference slate features games against in-state opponents VCU, William & Mary and Norfolk State and a home date with Auburn.
"This upcoming season we wanted to have a good mixture of competitive teams to play from various conferences," Milton-Jones said. "I look forward to showcasing our new team to our loyal fans of Norfolk. I'm very excited to see us play and to have a winning season. We have great momentum from last year that we will use to propel us further."
Old Dominion hosts Christopher Newport for an exhibition on Nov. 3. The regular season begins on Nov. 9 when the Monarchs entertain South Carolina State.
Five days later, Auburn comes to town for a game originally scheduled for last season. The two sides met on Nov. 14, 2019, with ODU pulling off an 89-77 upset on the road – the program's first win over a Power 5 opponent since March 2015. Playing in her home state, then-sophomore Ajah Wayne scored 35 points in the win.
The three-game homestand to open the season concludes on Nov. 18 with George Washington in a rematch of last year's season opener.
Old Dominion's first road game of the season is at VCU, the reigning Atlantic 10 Tournament Champions, on Nov. 21. The Rams posted a 16-11 record last season, including a 9-2 mark at home, and won their first ever conference tournament title before falling to fourth-seeded Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. ODU topped the Rams in overtime, 81-76, at home last season. Amari Young posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.
The Monarchs will spend Thanksgiving weekend in Katy, Texas for the Van Chancellor Classic. The Classic runs Nov. 26-28, and the complete field will be announced at a later date.
ODU is then on the road once more to play another in-state opponent. This time, the Monarchs face William & Mary on Dec. 5. Last season, Old Dominion beat W&M 70-47 in its home opener to give Milton-Jones her first victory as the Monarchs' head coach.
Following that road game with the Tribe, Old Dominion plays its final two nonconference home games against Bowie State (Dec. 8) and Norfolk State (Dec. 12). Bowie State, an established force inside the Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, did not take the court last season due to COVID-19 but has won 20 or more games in each of its last four seasons of competition and has made three-consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.
Crosstown rivals, ODU and NSU are meeting for the 26th time overall and the fourth time inside Chartway Arena. The Monarchs topped the Spartans 69-53 in the last meeting on Nov. 9, 2018.
The nonconference portion of the schedule winds down with away games at Appalachian State on Dec. 18 and Temple on Dec. 22. App State won 15 games last season and reached the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament. The Monarchs and Owls are meeting for the first time.
The Monarchs open Conference USA action with three straight at home, starting against FIU on Dec. 30. Then ODU hosts Florida Atlantic on Jan. 1 and Charlotte on Jan. 8. FIU won 15 games last season, reached the quarterfinals of the conference tournament and won the consolation bracket at the WBI. Likewise, FAU and Charlotte made the C-USA quarterfinals, and the 49ers appeared in the WNIT.
A trip to the Lone Star State then awaits the Monarchs. ODU plays at UTSA on Jan. 13 and UTEP on Jan. 15. Last season, the Miners posted a 17-8 record, went 13-5 in conference play and reached the semifinals of the C-USA Tournament.
Two more games against the conference's Texas contingent, these two at home, are next for Old Dominion. The Monarchs welcome reigning WNIT champion Rice to Chartway Arena on Jan. 20 followed by a game with North Texas on Jan. 22. Rice won 23 games last season and made the conference title game, ending ODU's Cinderella run in the semifinals.
After making the return trip to Charlotte on Jan. 29, the Monarchs play two more on the road at Marshall (Feb. 3) and WKU (Feb. 5). Old Dominion returns home briefly for a Feb. 10 date with reigning C-USA champions Middle Tennessee before taking to the road to play UAB on Feb. 13.
The Monarchs then host Marshall (Feb. 17) and WKU (Feb. 19) in their final home weekend of the year before traveling to face Florida Atlantic (Feb. 24) and FIU (Feb. 26). ODU plays its last game of the season inside Chartway Arena against Louisiana Tech on March 2 before concluding the regular season at Middle Tennessee on March 5.
Contact Justin Ross, ODU Director of Ticket Sales, at 757-683-3360 or jross@odu.edu for season ticket information for the 2021-22 basketball season. Season ticket holders from the 2019-20 season will be mailed renewal information in late August or early September.
For the complete 2021-22 schedule, click here.
2021-22 Non-Conference Schedule
Wednesday, November 3 vs. Christopher Newport (exhibition)
Tuesday, November 9 vs. South Carolina State
Sunday, November 14 vs. Auburn
Thursday, November 18 vs. George Washington
Sunday, November 21 at VCU
Nov. 26-28 – Van Chancellor Classic (Katy, Texas)
Sunday, December 5 at William & Mary
Wednesday, December 8 vs. Bowie State
Sunday, December 12 vs. Norfolk State
Saturday, December 18 at Appalachian State
Wednesday, December 22 at Temple
2021-22 Conference USA Schedule
Thursday, December 30 vs. FIU
Saturday, January 1 vs. Florida Atlantic
Saturday, January 8 vs. Charlotte
Thursday, January 13 at UTSA
Saturday, January 15 at UTEP
Thursday, January 20 vs. Rice
Saturday, January 22 vs. North Texas
Saturday, January 29 at Charlotte
Thursday, February 3 at Marshall
Saturday, February 5 at WKU
Thursday, February 10 vs. Middle Tennessee
Sunday, February 13 at UAB
Thursday, February 17 vs. Marshall
Saturday, February 19 vs. WKU
Thursday, February 24 at Florida Atlantic
Saturday, February 26 at FIU
Wednesday, March 2 vs. Louisiana Tech
Saturday, March 5 at Middle Tennessee
Home games in bold
Neutral-site games in italics
Milton-Jones Announces 2021-22 Women’s Basketball Schedule
