ODU (6-9, 2-1 SBC) vs. Louisiana (4-11, 2-1 SBC) | ODU (6-9, 2-1 SBC) vs. South Alabama (11-4, 3-0 SBC)
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 9 - 8:00 p.m. | Saturday, Jan. 11 - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Cajundome | Mitchell Center
ALL-TIME: Series Tied 1-1 | ODU leads South Alabama 13-11
Live Stats: Click Here! | Click Here!
LISTEN - ESPN Radio 94.1
SOCIAL MEDIA - X, Facebook, Instagram
NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion men’s basketball team (6-9, 2-1 SBC) continues Sun Belt Conference play this week, battling the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (4-11, 2-1 SBC) at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday Jan. 9, and South Alabama (11-4, 3-0 SBC) on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. EST.
Both games will have live stats(A|B) and stream on ESPN+(A|B). Ted Alexander and Dennis Wolff will be on the call for ESPN Radio 94.1.
LAST TIME OUT
Old Dominion fell 68-60 on Feb. 16, 2024 in Norfolk against the Ragin Cajun. Louisiana led for much of the game and the largest lead was 15 points. ULL had four players in double figures with Kobe Julien leading the way with 14 points. Chaunce Jenkins led all scorers on the night with 16 points.
ODU lost 61-59 on Dec. 30, 2023 in Norfolk against South Alabama. Isiah Gaiter led the Jaguars with 16 points in 36 minutes played. ODU led by 14 at the half (36-22) but South Alabama spent the second half cutting into the deficit. Taking their first lead of the game with 4:05 left to play.
ABOUT ODU
ODU is 3-1 in their last four and finished December with a 3-2 record. Robert Davis Jr. has averaged 18.4 points over the last five games and was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week on December 24 for his 32-point performance in the win over ULM.
Davis leads the team in scoring with 14.4 ppg, three-point attempts, and makes (49-for-133). He averages 3.50 threes per game which ranks ninth in the nation on 37% shooting from deep. His 32 points against ULM is tied for the highest scoring performance in the Sun Belt this season. The transfer from UMass leads the Sun Belt in three-pointers made (49) and is seventh in scoring (14.4 ppg). Sean Durugordon is the team’s second leading scorer, averaging 13.3 ppg. The native of Harlem, New York, is the team’s second leading rebounder averaging 7.1 rpg. His average of 3.67 orpg is 12th best in the nation and ranks first in the Sun Belt. He is the team’s leading free throw shooter, hitting .825 at the stripe. Stephaun Walker leads ODU in rebounding, grabbing an average of eight boards per game. His three orpg average ranks 55th in the NCAA and third best in the Sun Belt. The transfer from Robert Morris ranks third in the Sun Belt in rebounds per game (8) and offensive rebounds (3). Caelum Swanton-Rodger, the transfer from Maryland, protects the paint by swatting away 1.87 blocks per game, his 28 blocks this season rank 34th in the nation and are second in the Sun Belt. Freshman Jaden Johnson has started all 15 games this season at point guard and leads the Monarchs in assists per game (4.3) and is second in the Sun Belt in minutes played (33.73). His 65 assists this season ranks fifth best in the Sun Belt.
As a team, ODU scores an average of 69.5 points per game, shoots 40.7% from the floor and 28.6% from behind the arc. They hold a +1.5-rebounding margin and grab 39.3 boards per game while dishing out 11.7 assists per game. The Monarchs have swatted away 50 shots this season while swiping 76 steals. In the Sun Belt, ODU ranks first in offensive rebounds per game (14.27) and they have the second-best rebounding offense (39.27).
ABOUT LOUISIANA
The Ragin Cajuns (4-11, 2-1 SBC) comes into this game following a 94-70 loss to Georgia State. They are 2-2 in their last four games played. Louisiana is ranked 327 in Net Ranking, 303 in Kenpom, and a -7.2 BPI.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil is the team’s leading scorer averaging 12.2 ppg while averaging 4.7 rpg, ranking second on the Ragin Cajuns. The team’s second leading scorer is Koron Davis averaging 8.7 ppg. Kentrell Garnett is the only player on the team to start all 15 games and leads the team by averaging 32.3 minutes per game.
Louisiana averages 66.3 ppg, shoot 41% from the field, 30% from deep (6.9 makes per game). At the charity stripe, ULL shoot 71%. They grab an average of 30.2 rebounds per game. ULL have a +1.9-turnover margin, swipe 7.5 steals per game, and swat 2.9 blocks per game.
ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA
The Jaguars (11-4, 3-0 SBC) come into this game on a four-game win streak. They will take on Arkansas State on Thursday before gearing up to face the Monarchs. South Alabama is ranked 92 in Net Ranking, 108 in Kenpom, and a 1.3 BPI.
Myles Corey is the team’s leading scorer averaging 16.7 ppg and ranks third in the Sun Belt with 68 assists this season. Barry Dunning Jr. is behind Corey with 12.7 ppg and is the team’s second leading rebounder (5.9 rpg). John Broom has started all 15 games for the Jaguars and is shooting 40% from deep with 17 made this season.
As a team, South Alabama averages 75.1 ppg and concedes 60.9 ppg for a +14.3-scoring margin. Shooting 34% from deep, 69% at the free throw line with an average of 13 makes per game. The Jaguars have a +6.8-turnover margin, forcing 235 this season and giving away 133. USA is 7-2 at home this season.
UP NEXT
ODU will head back to Norfolk for a four-game homestand against App State, Georgia Southern, JMU, and Coastal Carolina.
Season Tickets Available Now
Men's and women's basketball season tickets for the 2024-25 season are available now at odusports.com/basketball-season-tickets.
Men's basketball season tickets cost $217 covering all of ODU’s regular season home contests. Women's basketball season tickets cost $115 for adults and include tickets to all of the Monarchs' home games. Discounted season ticket rates are available for ODU faculty and staff, ODU letterwinners, young alumni, band and spirit parents and military. Fans also have the option for mini-plans which consist of six men’s games for $84 and six women’s games for $42. Single-game tickets are now on sale. Call the ODU Ticket Office at 757-683-4444 for more information.