Villanova Wildcats (4-1) vs Old Dominion Monarchs (3-4)
Where: Finneran Pavilion (Villanova, PA)
When: Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Betting Line: TBD
How to Watch: ESPN+
How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
About Old Dominion: The Monarchs reside in the Sun Belt Conference, where they were selected to finish in fifth (with two first-place votes) out of 14 teams. Bryce Lindsay’s old school, James Madison, was selected to finish first. Old Dominion also has the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year
in 6’6” guard Robert Davis Jr. The junior out of Detroit, MI has struggled out of the gate, averaging only 7.8 points per game on 29.3% shooting from the field (and 25% from three-point range). Senior guard Jordan Battle was selected to the All-Sun Belt Third Team and is coincidentally third on his own team in scoring thus far, averaging 10.6 points per game on 37% from the floor (and 33.3% from deep). Through the first seven games, the Monarchs are led by senior guards KC Shaw and LJ Thomas. Shaw, a 6’4” transfer from Maryland Eastern Shore, is averaging 14.2 points on 44.8% from the field. Thomas, a 6’2” transfer from Austin Peay, is averaging 13.4 points on 59.6% shooting. Neither Shaw nor Thomas rely on three-pointers for their scoring, averaging a combined 0.4 makes per game. Old Dominion is coming off of a 75-71 loss at in-town rival Drexel (Shaw missed the game due to injury). The Monarchs also faced Big East rival Xavier early in the year, losing 99-69 in Cincinnati.
Notes on Nova: The Wildcats got much-needed rest after a grueling road trip to La Salle, where they had a wire-to-wire 70-55 victory. The game against the Explorers was the first time this season that Villanova has had all of its players available. Tafara Gapare returned from his two-game absence, and Zion Stanford scored his first points in his second game back from his ankle injury. The Monarchs have some size up front in 7’ senior center Caelum Swanton-Rodger, but otherwise start a four-guard lineup. The Wildcats should be able to continue their rebounding advantage in this one. Look for Matt Hodge to go inside more, as well as more small-ball lineups from coach Willard.
