Old Dominion Monarchs
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #93
Conference Rank: #4 Conference USA
Old Dominion has finished in the top three in Conference USA each of the last five seasons. Last year their tough defense led to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, where they lost to Purdue in a battle of great defenses in the first round. But without BJ Stith and his 16.8 points and 7.5 rebounds and Ahmad Caver and his 16.6 points and 5.5 assists, Old Dominion will be a very different team in 2019-2020.
2018-19 Record: 26-9, 13-5
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jeff Jones
Coach Record: 140-67 at Old Dominion, 497-354 overall
Key Departed Players:
BJ Stith, Guard, 16.8 ppg
Ahmad Caver, Guard, 16.6 ppg
Elbert Robinson, Center, 2.3 ppg
Justice Kithcart, Guard, 5.4 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Xavier Green, Junior, Guard, 9.6 ppg
Aaron Carver, Senior, Forward, 2.4 ppg
Marquis Godwin, Junior, Guard, 7.2 ppg
Kalu Ezikpe, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg
Jason Wade, Sophomore, Guard, 3.8 ppg
Dajour Dickens, Junior, Forward, 3.2 ppg
Joe Reece, Sophomore, Forward
Key New Players:
A.J. Oliver, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Clemson
Alfis Pilavios, RS Sophomore, Forward
Malik Curry, Junior, Guard, JC Transfer
Jaylin Hunter, Guard, Freshman
Projection:
This may be a different looking team, but Coach Jeff Jones will have them playing the same tough defense. Last year the Monarchs ranked in the top ten in the country in scoring defense and field-goal percentage defense and that will not change too much at all. The offense will though. Xavier Green was the team’s third scoring option last year, averaging 9.6 points per game. He is an efficient outside shooter and will be asked to do more during his junior campaign. Marquis Godwin missed most of last season with an injury, but in his 13 contests he averaged 7.2 points per game. Aaron Caver is back to man the frontcourt. He is not a scoring threat, but he is a very good rebounder and defender. ODU expects bigger things from Dajour Dickens this year too. The seven-footer averaged 3.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 2018-2019 and is always a threat on the glass and in the shot-blocking department. The newcomers will need to play a role on this team too. Malik Curry and Jaylin Hunter will have to take over some of the point guard duties, but it is Clemson transfer A.J. Oliver who can help pick up some of the lost scoring. The 6-5 sophomore did not play much during his brief stint with the Tigers, but he was a highly regarded recruit who could easily be a double digit scorer for Old Dominion.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 65.7 (324th in nation, 12th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.9 (6, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 40.6 (328, 13)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.1 (9, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.5 (198, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.9 (150, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.3 (318, 10)
Rebound Margin: 4.7 (36, 1)
Assists Per Game: 12.5 (247, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.7 (65, 3)
