Men's Basketball Starts Sun Belt Play Saturday Night Hosting South Alabama

GAME #13
ODU (4-8) vs. South Alabama (7-5)
When: 7:00 p.m. – Saturday
Where: Norfolk, Va. – Chartway Arena
Series Record: ODU leads 13-10
Last Meeting: Jan. 26, 2023 – ODU 66-64
TV: ESPN+
Listen: Priority Auto Sports Radio 94.1
Live Stats:  click here
 
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion men's basketball team begins Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday night when they host South Alabama at 7:00 p.m.
 
You can catch the game on ESPN+ with Scott Jackson and Billy Mann on the call. Fans can also listen to the game on Priority Auto Sports Radio 94.1 FM with Ted Alexander and Dennis Wolff on the call starting at 6:30 p.m.


SERIES INFO
This will be the 24^th meeting between the teams with ODU leading the all-time series 13-10. The Monarchs took a 66-64 decision in Mobile, Alabama on Jan. 26, 2023, as Mekhi Long went 1-of-2 from the foul line with five seconds left and a last-ditch shot from the Jaguars bounced off the rim.
 
This is the first meeting in Chartway Arena since Nov. 20, 2004, when ODU defeated South Alabama 63-55.
 
ABOUT ODU
The Monarchs begin Sun Belt Conference play after a 1-2 showing in the Diamond Head Classic. ODU recorded a win over Temple (78-65) and dropped decisions to TCU (111-87) and UMass (87-65).
 
Vasean Allette leads the team in scoring averaging 15.9 points per game to go with 5.3 rebounds and 27 assists and a team-high 21 steals. Chaunce Jenkins is right behind him at 15.7 points per game, along with 3.8 rebounds and a team-high 32 assists. Tyrone Williams is third in scoring at 12.9 points per game and leads in rebounding at 6.3 per game.
 
As a team, the Monarchs are averaging 71.3 points per game and allowing 77.6. They are hitting .438 from the floor compared to .450 for opponents. From 3-point range, ODU is hitting .319 while opponents are at .359. At the foul line, ODU is at .673, while opponents are .717. On the boards, ODU is being outrebounded 37.1 to 34.0.
 
ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA
The Jaguars start conference play coming off a win over Alabama A&M 83-67 on December 21. Tyrell Jones had 18 points to lead five in double figures as Samuel Tabe had 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
South Alabama has six players averaging between nine and 15 points per game with Isaiah Gaiter leading at 15.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Marcus Millender is next at 10.3 points and a team-best 46 assists, while Maxwell Land follows at 10.1 points per game. Just under double figures are Jones and Julian Margrave (9.9 ppg) and Tabe (9.1 ppg).

As a team, the Jaguars score 74.5 points per game and allow 74.6. From the field, South Alabama hits .436 and allows opponents a .444 clip. Three-point land sees the Jaguars shoot .314 with 85 makes, while opponents hit .304 with 80 makes. Free throws have the Jaguars hitting .737 to their opponents .681. On the boards, they're being outrebounded 38.3 to 34.1 per game.
 
NEXT UP
ODU starts a four-game road swing next week with a Thursday, Jan. 4 contest at Troy and then at Arkansas State on Saturday, Jan. 6.