Old Dominion vs. VCU (Exhibition)
Game Info – Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Location – Chartway Arena (Norfolk, Va.)
Listen – ESPN Sports Radio 94.1
Live Stats – Click Here
Tickets – Click Here
Social Media – Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men’s basketball is back on its home court this Saturday as the Monarchs welcome VCU for a 7 p.m. exhibition game at Chartway Arena.
Ted Alexander and Dennis Wolff will call the game on ESPN Sports Radio 94.1 and live stats will also be available.
This Saturday will be the first meeting between the two programs since Saturday, December 11, 2021 when the Rams defeated the Monarchs, 75-66 in Norfolk. VCU holds a 53-44 lead in the all-time series that began during the 1968-69 season. Both programs were formerly members of the CAA.
About ODU
The Monarchs return six players from a 2025-26 squad that went 12-21 overall and 7-11 in conference play. Back for the Silver and Blue this season are guards Zacch Wiggins, Scottie Hubbard, Rieco Hellams, and CJ Parker as well as forwards Jared Turner and Ben Nacey. ODU entered the 2026 Sun Belt Championship as the No. 11 seed and won its opening round game against No. 14 seed ULM, 87-80, but saw its season come to an end with a narrow 88-84 loss to No. 10 seed Georgia Southern.
Old Dominion brought in 11 newcomers this season, to include seven transfers and four first years. In the backcourt, ODU head coach Mike Jones added transfers Adante’ Holiman (Arizona State), who was a Third Team All-Sun Belt selection at Georgia Southern two seasons ago, as well as Khoi Thurmon (Oakland), and Bubu Banjamin (George Washington) along with first years CJ Harper, Theo Gerges, CJ Lyons, and Noah Eddy. Holiman was named to Blue Ribbon Magazine’s Preseason All-Sun Belt Team as well as Lindy’s Sports Magazine’s Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. Holiman, Hellams, and Benjamin will serve as team captains.
Joining Turner and Nacey in the frontcourt are transfers Jotham Nweke (Wayne State), Zamoku Weluche-Ume (North Carolina A&T), Kylan Howze (Louisiana Tech), and Lucio Martini (University of Bologna).
Jones also has some new additions to his coaching staff in assistant coaches Orlando Vandross, who spent 10 years at Virginia, and Jim Molinari, who was most recently at Boston College.
Jones is entering his third season at ODU and has compiled a 27-41 record in his first two seasons in Norfolk.
About VCU
The Rams finished 28-8 overall last season with a 15-3 mark in the A10 and defeated Dayton, 70-62 to repeat as A10 Conference champions. They knocked out No. 21 North Carolina, 82-78 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but had their postseason run ended by No. 13 Illinois, 76-55 in the second round.
VCU has seven returners, to include three starters in guards Brandon Jennings and Nyk Lewis and forward Lazar Djokovic. Other letterwinners back for the Black and Gold include guards Ahmad Nowell, Jordan Tillery, and Tyrell Ward along with guard/forward Michael Belle.
Head Coach Phil Martelli Jr. reloaded his roster with seven newcomers. Joining the team in the offseason are transfers Blake Harper (Creighton), Torey Alston (MTSU), Nyle Ralph-Beyer (Sacred Heart), and Joshua Wyche (Lafayette). Martelli also signed first years Sammy Jackson, Collin Ross, and Stefan Plisnic.
Martelli previously spent two seasons at Bryant before taking over the program on March 26, 2025. He is a combined 71-33 in his first three seasons as a head coach.
Up Next
The Monarchs will host another exhibition game against Virginia State next Saturday, Oct. 24 beginning at 7 p.m.
SEASON SPONSOR
Bon Secours is the Presenting Sponsor of Old Dominion University’s 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Season. Bon Secours is proud to operate its four hospitals and medical centers in Hampton Roads and is even more proud to serve the surrounding community with exceptional care. It’s our mission at Bon Secours Hampton Roads to treat the whole person — mind, body and spirit, to bring compassion to health care, and to be good help to those in need. Bon Secours – the health care you deserve from a team you can trust.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Men's Basketball: Secure your seat for all 19 home games, including the exhibition against VCU, starting at $226. Purchase 2026-27 men's basketball season tickets or reach out to Jackson Daley at 757-683-6156 for all you season ticket needs.
Women's Basketball: Enjoy every moment of Monarchs basketball with access to all 16 home games for $147. Purchase 2026-27 women's basketball season tickets or reach out to Jackson Daley at 757-683-6156 for all you season ticket needs.
Single-Game Tickets: Mark your calendar. Single-game tickets go on sale October 8, with a presale for season ticket holders and ODAF members beginning October 1.
Groups: Bringing a group? Connect our ticketing team to find your perfect game day experience. Contact ODU Ticket Rep, Ethan Truesdale-Hales at (757) 683-5444 or etruesda@odu.edu.