Old Dominion men’s basketball prepares for its second of two exhibition games by hosting Virginia State at Chartway Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m., odusports.com reported.
Chartway Arena Hosts Final Preseason Test
Saturday’s contest will not be streamed live, though live stats remain accessible for fans tracking the action. The Monarchs enter the game looking to build on their previous exhibition outing. Last Saturday at Chartway Arena, ODU hosted VCU and pulled within six points at 54-48 with under seven minutes remaining in the second half before the Rams pulled away for a 71-57 final score.
Bubu Benjamin paced the Monarchs with 14 points against VCU, shooting a flawless 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Zamoku Weluche-Ume added 13 points and five rebounds. Zacch Wiggins contributed 12 points and five boards, while Kylan Howze chipped in five rebounds and three blocks.
Monarchs Prepare For Final Tune-Up Against Virginia State#ODUSports | #ReignOn | #Monarchshttps://t.co/1oTOWYWuf6
ODU and Virginia State last met for an exhibition game on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Norfolk. The Monarchs claimed that meeting 80-59. Chaunce Jenkins led the Silver and Blue with 17 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes. Vasean Allette, R.J. Blakney, and Bryce Baker each finished with 11 points.
Mike Jones Leads Norfolk with 11 Newcomers
Head coach Mike Jones enters his third season in Norfolk holding a 27-41 record. His personnel features six returning players alongside 11 newcomers. The coaching staff includes assistant coaches Orlando Vandross and Jim Molinari.
The Sun Belt Conference released its Preseason Coaches’ Poll and All-Conference honors, picking the Monarchs to finish 11th in the league. Adante’ Holiman provided a bright spot for the squad. The fourth-year guard, who transferred from Arizona State and earned All-Sun Belt Third Team honors two seasons ago at Georgia Southern, landed on the Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team. Blue Ribbon Magazine and Lindy’s Sports Magazine also recognized him on their respective preseason all-conference teams.
Virginia State arrives in Norfolk following a 2025-26 campaign that ended with a 22-10 overall record and a 12-4 mark against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association opponents. At the CIAA Tournament, the Trojans defeated Lincoln University (Pa.) 76-60 in the quarterfinals before falling 71-66 to Bluefield State in the semifinals. VSU then advanced to the Black College Invitational Championship, beating Edward Waters 75-61 and avenging their tournament loss to Bluefield State with a 69-66 victory in the title game.
The Trojans were picked to finish third in the CIAA Preseason Poll behind Fayetteville State and Bluefield State. Senior center Davian Coleman represents VSU on the Preseason All-Conference Team. The Anchorage, Alaska native started 31 of 32 games last season, scoring 238 points at 7.4 points per game while shooting 67.1% from the field and 53.8% at the free-throw line. He also grabbed 217 rebounds, averaging 6.8 per game, and blocked 58 shots.
Lonnie Blow Jr. returns for his 14th season leading the Trojans, holding a 236-113 record in Petersburg, Virginia. Blow previously served as an assistant coach at ODU from 2010 to 2012, helping the Monarchs secure a 2011 CAA Championship title. VSU brings 15 newcomers to its roster, comprising 14 transfers and one freshman, alongside returners Tim Uzochuwku, Michael Cooper, and Jaylen Wynn.
Western Michigan Awaits Opening Night
Following Saturday’s exhibition, the Monarchs open their season at home on Monday, Nov. 2. They will host the Broncos of Western Michigan for the first round of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at Chartway Arena.
