The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Two good games to watch tonight are Baylor @ #2 West Virginia at 7pm on ESPN2, and #8 Texas Tech @ #9 Oklahoma at 7pm on ESPNU. Big 12 is stacked this year. Perhaps this is the year Kansas finally gives up the regular season title.

(01-09-2018 05:31 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-09-2018 05:12 PM)mac Wrote:  Sort of related, I note UVA up to #3. That Bennett keeps getting it done.

Im not really high on them this year, but Jerome and Guy are getting it done. Interested to see how they end up.

I don't love them this year either, but that defensive display against Carolina Las weekend was one of the best I have ever seen.

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(01-09-2018 06:41 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-09-2018 05:31 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-09-2018 05:12 PM)mac Wrote:  Sort of related, I note UVA up to #3. That Bennett keeps getting it done.

Im not really high on them this year, but Jerome and Guy are getting it done. Interested to see how they end up.

I don't love them this year either, but that defensive display against Carolina Las weekend was one of the best I have ever seen.

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Speaking of an overrated team.....UNC is, imo. I wouldnt put them top 25 at this point.

I don't know if they belong outside the top 25, but agree they aren't great.

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#5 Purdue playing Michigan right now. Western Kentucky beat them earlier this season so let them keep winning.


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(01-08-2018 06:27 PM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  

(01-08-2018 05:08 PM)Tribal Wrote:  Serious questions: ODU has a rich history of very successful basketball, both ladies and men. Do you think your emphasis on football and subsequent move to a poor basketball conference has been a detriment to your basketball program? You owned W&M in basketball, started your football program, and now you can't beat us. Would you still support a move to CUSA knowing it would damage Monarch basketball? And, as a fan of ODU football, how do you feel about your ridiculous travel schedule?

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I'll add that I got to know Tribal and TribeS4F during our CAA days. I loved CAA football, the friends that were made, and the easily driveable road trips. While games against FBS powerhouses are fun (especially at home), I cannot recall the atmosphere at Foreman Field any better than during the CAA rivalry games and playoffs. Was the move up worth it? At this point, I am not so sure. I found a way to get to Ga. Southern for playoffs, but not the Bahamas Bowl on Christmas Eve. 'Nuff said.

As for the basketball, ODU has clearly taken a step back. Women's BB has been on the decline for years, so I won't comment on that, However, the lack of NCAA berths for the men since joining CUSA speaks for itself. I used to a vocal complainer about the "VCU Invitational" at the Big Brown Dump, but it was in my hometown and I never missed it. Since that time, conference tourneys have been in El Paso and Birmingham. Our fanbase travels well regionally, but not this far, and the lack of driveable conference tourney games has probably hurt our chances at making the NCAAs. I do think we are on an upswing, and hope that trend will be ended soon, BTW. As for the WM game itself, was there with the family, and that game was played at an incredibly high level, particularly in the second half. No complaints (other than not changing up defenses) on losing when the opponent is simply on fire from three. It was probably the highest level ODU-WM game I have witnessed, start to finish, and good rivalries required games like that, even the ones in which we fall short.

I guess I am at the point that given a chance to reset, I'd prefer we followed VCU to he A-10 for BB and stayed in the CAA for football. However, a move to the AAC would be the best situation possible, particularly for the BB. But that is not happening until (if ever) we fix that Depression-era stadium to make it up to league standards.

That's as honest as I can be. Best regards to Tribal's and S4F's families for a happy and prosperous 2018.

i so very much agree with Smitty! There was no better experience that the playoff game at Ga. Southern, CAA road trips for BB and FB...some even mid-week!! We will never have the fan or student support for almost every CUSA game compared to playing JMU in football or W & M in BB. I just do not want to be in a conference where almost 2/3 of the members are in a hour different time zone...one even TWO hour! SECEDE!!!

(01-09-2018 10:21 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  

(01-08-2018 06:27 PM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  

(01-08-2018 05:08 PM)Tribal Wrote:  Serious questions: ODU has a rich history of very successful basketball, both ladies and men. Do you think your emphasis on football and subsequent move to a poor basketball conference has been a detriment to your basketball program? You owned W&M in basketball, started your football program, and now you can't beat us. Would you still support a move to CUSA knowing it would damage Monarch basketball? And, as a fan of ODU football, how do you feel about your ridiculous travel schedule?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I'll add that I got to know Tribal and TribeS4F during our CAA days. I loved CAA football, the friends that were made, and the easily driveable road trips. While games against FBS powerhouses are fun (especially at home), I cannot recall the atmosphere at Foreman Field any better than during the CAA rivalry games and playoffs. Was the move up worth it? At this point, I am not so sure. I found a way to get to Ga. Southern for playoffs, but not the Bahamas Bowl on Christmas Eve. 'Nuff said.

As for the basketball, ODU has clearly taken a step back. Women's BB has been on the decline for years, so I won't comment on that, However, the lack of NCAA berths for the men since joining CUSA speaks for itself. I used to a vocal complainer about the "VCU Invitational" at the Big Brown Dump, but it was in my hometown and I never missed it. Since that time, conference tourneys have been in El Paso and Birmingham. Our fanbase travels well regionally, but not this far, and the lack of driveable conference tourney games has probably hurt our chances at making the NCAAs. I do think we are on an upswing, and hope that trend will be ended soon, BTW. As for the WM game itself, was there with the family, and that game was played at an incredibly high level, particularly in the second half. No complaints (other than not changing up defenses) on losing when the opponent is simply on fire from three. It was probably the highest level ODU-WM game I have witnessed, start to finish, and good rivalries required games like that, even the ones in which we fall short.

I guess I am at the point that given a chance to reset, I'd prefer we followed VCU to he A-10 for BB and stayed in the CAA for football. However, a move to the AAC would be the best situation possible, particularly for the BB. But that is not happening until (if ever) we fix that Depression-era stadium to make it up to league standards.

That's as honest as I can be. Best regards to Tribal's and S4F's families for a happy and prosperous 2018.

i so very much agree with Smitty! There was no better experience that the playoff game at Ga. Southern, CAA road trips for BB and FB...some even mid-week!! We will never have the fan or student support for almost every CUSA game compared to playing JMU in football or W & M in BB. I just do not want to be in a conference where almost 2/3 of the members are in a hour different time zone...one even TWO hour! SECEDE!!!

Well said Smitty.ODU could bring a crowd of 4000+ to the CAA basketball tournament if we made it to the semis, had multiple home sellouts in the hoops regular season and legitimately packed (with a full student section) football games. Its possible people nationally see our name on the score crawler a few more times each season, but our fans and our students (who are also our now and future donors) don't seem to be as engaged or excited as they were. I think that is more important.

(01-08-2018 06:27 PM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  

(01-08-2018 05:08 PM)Tribal Wrote:  Serious questions: ODU has a rich history of very successful basketball, both ladies and men. Do you think your emphasis on football and subsequent move to a poor basketball conference has been a detriment to your basketball program? You owned W&M in basketball, started your football program, and now you can't beat us. Would you still support a move to CUSA knowing it would damage Monarch basketball? And, as a fan of ODU football, how do you feel about your ridiculous travel schedule?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I'll add that I got to know Tribal and TribeS4F during our CAA days. I loved CAA football, the friends that were made, and the easily driveable road trips. While games against FBS powerhouses are fun (especially at home), I cannot recall the atmosphere at Foreman Field any better than during the CAA rivalry games and playoffs. Was the move up worth it? At this point, I am not so sure. I found a way to get to Ga. Southern for playoffs, but not the Bahamas Bowl on Christmas Eve. 'Nuff said.

As for the basketball, ODU has clearly taken a step back. Women's BB has been on the decline for years, so I won't comment on that, However, the lack of NCAA berths for the men since joining CUSA speaks for itself. I used to a vocal complainer about the "VCU Invitational" at the Big Brown Dump, but it was in my hometown and I never missed it. Since that time, conference tourneys have been in El Paso and Birmingham. Our fanbase travels well regionally, but not this far, and the lack of driveable conference tourney games has probably hurt our chances at making the NCAAs. I do think we are on an upswing, and hope that trend will be ended soon, BTW. As for the WM game itself, was there with the family, and that game was played at an incredibly high level, particularly in the second half. No complaints (other than not changing up defenses) on losing when the opponent is simply on fire from three. It was probably the highest level ODU-WM game I have witnessed, start to finish, and good rivalries required games like that, even the ones in which we fall short.

I guess I am at the point that given a chance to reset, I'd prefer we followed VCU to he A-10 for BB and stayed in the CAA for football. However, a move to the AAC would be the best situation possible, particularly for the BB. But that is not happening until (if ever) we fix that Depression-era stadium to make it up to league standards.

That's as honest as I can be. Best regards to Tribal's and S4F's families for a happy and prosperous 2018.

The A10 was reportedly not an option because of football. The CAA was a dumpster fire losing VCU and later GMU.

FCS football has gone on to lose App St, G Southern, G St., and Coastal Carolina. All the consistently good teams from the east coast are gone from FCS leaving a shell of its former self. JMU should be in the finals indefinitely because they don't play anyone. Is that a good thing? It's like placing a senior on the freshman team and being proud that he dominated.

Is CUSA the same for us without ECU? No. Would staying in the CAA to beat Chowan senseless get anyone excited? Elon anybody?

I'm just not sure why people keep circling back to this argument. CUSA is far from ideal but it was clearly the best option for us. And CUSA is certainly the best place for us to move to the AAC. Now it's up to us to step our game up in both MBB and football to position ourselves for the next round of realignment.

(01-10-2018 05:49 AM)ODU2003 Wrote:  

(01-08-2018 06:27 PM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  

(01-08-2018 05:08 PM)Tribal Wrote:  Serious questions: ODU has a rich history of very successful basketball, both ladies and men. Do you think your emphasis on football and subsequent move to a poor basketball conference has been a detriment to your basketball program? You owned W&M in basketball, started your football program, and now you can't beat us. Would you still support a move to CUSA knowing it would damage Monarch basketball? And, as a fan of ODU football, how do you feel about your ridiculous travel schedule?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I'll add that I got to know Tribal and TribeS4F during our CAA days. I loved CAA football, the friends that were made, and the easily driveable road trips. While games against FBS powerhouses are fun (especially at home), I cannot recall the atmosphere at Foreman Field any better than during the CAA rivalry games and playoffs. Was the move up worth it? At this point, I am not so sure. I found a way to get to Ga. Southern for playoffs, but not the Bahamas Bowl on Christmas Eve. 'Nuff said.

As for the basketball, ODU has clearly taken a step back. Women's BB has been on the decline for years, so I won't comment on that, However, the lack of NCAA berths for the men since joining CUSA speaks for itself. I used to a vocal complainer about the "VCU Invitational" at the Big Brown Dump, but it was in my hometown and I never missed it. Since that time, conference tourneys have been in El Paso and Birmingham. Our fanbase travels well regionally, but not this far, and the lack of driveable conference tourney games has probably hurt our chances at making the NCAAs. I do think we are on an upswing, and hope that trend will be ended soon, BTW. As for the WM game itself, was there with the family, and that game was played at an incredibly high level, particularly in the second half. No complaints (other than not changing up defenses) on losing when the opponent is simply on fire from three. It was probably the highest level ODU-WM game I have witnessed, start to finish, and good rivalries required games like that, even the ones in which we fall short.

I guess I am at the point that given a chance to reset, I'd prefer we followed VCU to he A-10 for BB and stayed in the CAA for football. However, a move to the AAC would be the best situation possible, particularly for the BB. But that is not happening until (if ever) we fix that Depression-era stadium to make it up to league standards.

That's as honest as I can be. Best regards to Tribal's and S4F's families for a happy and prosperous 2018.

The A10 was reportedly not an option because of football. The CAA was a dumpster fire losing VCU and later GMU.

FCS football has gone on to lose App St, G Southern, G St., and Coastal Carolina. All the consistently good teams from the east coast are gone from FCS leaving a shell of its former self. JMU should be in the finals indefinitely because they don't play anyone. Is that a good thing? It's like placing a senior on the freshman team and being proud that he dominated.

Is CUSA the same for us without ECU? No. Would staying in the CAA to beat Chowan senseless get anyone excited? Elon anybody?

I'm just not sure why people keep circling back to this argument. CUSA is far from ideal but it was clearly the best option for us. And CUSA is certainly the best place for us to move to the AAC. Now it's up to us to step our game up in both MBB and football to position ourselves for the next round of realignment.

Agree!!!!

I think a lot of people are associating the collapse of our men's basketball program with the conference realignment. However it seems this collapse would've happened no matter who are opponents are or how far away they are. The way the program was left, it was always going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back up. Being in CUSA is not the reason why our attendance or performance took a hit.

(01-10-2018 09:56 AM)odu09 Wrote:  I think a lot of people are associating the collapse of our men's basketball program with the conference realignment. However it seems this collapse would've happened no matter who are opponents are or how far away they are. The way the program was left, it was always going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back up. Being in CUSA is not the reason why our attendance or performance took a hit.

^ This.

Winning puts butts in the seats, regardless of the conference.

(01-10-2018 10:11 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 09:56 AM)odu09 Wrote:  I think a lot of people are associating the collapse of our men's basketball program with the conference realignment. However it seems this collapse would've happened no matter who are opponents are or how far away they are. The way the program was left, it was always going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back up. Being in CUSA is not the reason why our attendance or performance took a hit.

^ This.

Winning puts butts in the seats, regardless of the conference.

And sports viewership and attendance is taking a hit across the board. Young people just aren't as interested in spending that amount of time on going to games.

(01-10-2018 04:32 PM)LuckyLion Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 10:11 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 09:56 AM)odu09 Wrote:  I think a lot of people are associating the collapse of our men's basketball program with the conference realignment. However it seems this collapse would've happened no matter who are opponents are or how far away they are. The way the program was left, it was always going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back up. Being in CUSA is not the reason why our attendance or performance took a hit.

^ This.

Winning puts butts in the seats, regardless of the conference.

And sports viewership and attendance is taking a hit across the board. Young people just aren't as interested in spending that amount of time on going to games.

Blah blah blah excuse excuse excuse. There are tons of schools ODU's size that draw a lot more students than ODU, have much more energized crowds than ODU, etc. This has not always been the case. Lots of convenient excuses being floated by our admin and eaten up by some of you. They are doing a bad job. If you hear what some off the folks in the AD say off the record, even they agree that whats happening in The Ted is unacceptable.

(01-10-2018 04:45 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 04:32 PM)LuckyLion Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 10:11 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 09:56 AM)odu09 Wrote:  I think a lot of people are associating the collapse of our men's basketball program with the conference realignment. However it seems this collapse would've happened no matter who are opponents are or how far away they are. The way the program was left, it was always going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back up. Being in CUSA is not the reason why our attendance or performance took a hit.

^ This.

Winning puts butts in the seats, regardless of the conference.

And sports viewership and attendance is taking a hit across the board. Young people just aren't as interested in spending that amount of time on going to games.

Blah blah blah excuse excuse excuse. There are tons of schools ODU's size that draw a lot more students than ODU, have much more energized crowds than ODU, etc. This has not always been the case. Lots of convenient excuses being floated by our admin and eaten up by some of you. They are doing a bad job. If you hear what some off the folks in the AD say off the record, even they agree that whats happening in The Ted is unacceptable.

If we averaged our capacity last year (if we sold out every game) we would have been ranked 50th in attendance. Last year we were 81st. Attendance isn't the issue, the issue is getting the atmosphere back to what it was. Usually winning helps but damn there are some low energy games that just make me sad. There was one game JJ rightfully called out the fans on it. We need to find a way to bring the energy back and I'm not sure what the answer is. I feel like it starts with the students.

Game to watch tonight is #10 Xavier at #1 Villanova at 8pm on FS1

(01-10-2018 07:21 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 04:45 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 04:32 PM)LuckyLion Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 10:11 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 09:56 AM)odu09 Wrote:  I think a lot of people are associating the collapse of our men's basketball program with the conference realignment. However it seems this collapse would've happened no matter who are opponents are or how far away they are. The way the program was left, it was always going to take a lot of time and work to bring it back up. Being in CUSA is not the reason why our attendance or performance took a hit.

^ This.

Winning puts butts in the seats, regardless of the conference.

And sports viewership and attendance is taking a hit across the board. Young people just aren't as interested in spending that amount of time on going to games.

Blah blah blah excuse excuse excuse. There are tons of schools ODU's size that draw a lot more students than ODU, have much more energized crowds than ODU, etc. This has not always been the case. Lots of convenient excuses being floated by our admin and eaten up by some of you. They are doing a bad job. If you hear what some off the folks in the AD say off the record, even they agree that whats happening in The Ted is unacceptable.

If we averaged our capacity last year (if we sold out every game) we would have been ranked 50th in attendance. Last year we were 81st. Attendance isn't the issue, the issue is getting the atmosphere back to what it was. Usually winning helps but damn there are some low energy games that just make me sad. There was one game JJ rightfully called out the fans on it. We need to find a way to bring the energy back and I'm not sure what the answer is. I feel like it starts with the students.

Attendance is a problem. Reference Harry's article tonight. Lowest attendance since the 5-25 season this year and down nearly 30% from pre- 5-25 season when we were regularly averaging over 7k. Season tickets are less than half of what they were in the heyday and down 10% from last season, and students don't show up. Beyond all of that, butts in seats is even worse. This is looking like a managed decline at this point since there is no urgency to fix the issue.

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If so few season tix were sold this year why could I not improve my seat location!!!

(01-11-2018 12:45 AM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  If so few season tix were sold this year why could I not improve my seat location!!!

Great question

(01-10-2018 10:10 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 07:21 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 04:45 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 04:32 PM)LuckyLion Wrote:  

(01-10-2018 10:11 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  ^ This.

Winning puts butts in the seats, regardless of the conference.

And sports viewership and attendance is taking a hit across the board. Young people just aren't as interested in spending that amount of time on going to games.

Blah blah blah excuse excuse excuse. There are tons of schools ODU's size that draw a lot more students than ODU, have much more energized crowds than ODU, etc. This has not always been the case. Lots of convenient excuses being floated by our admin and eaten up by some of you. They are doing a bad job. If you hear what some off the folks in the AD say off the record, even they agree that whats happening in The Ted is unacceptable.

If we averaged our capacity last year (if we sold out every game) we would have been ranked 50th in attendance. Last year we were 81st. Attendance isn't the issue, the issue is getting the atmosphere back to what it was. Usually winning helps but damn there are some low energy games that just make me sad. There was one game JJ rightfully called out the fans on it. We need to find a way to bring the energy back and I'm not sure what the answer is. I feel like it starts with the students.

Attendance is a problem. Reference Harry's article tonight. Lowest attendance since the 5-25 season this year and down nearly 30% from pre- 5-25 season when we were regularly averaging over 7k. Season tickets are less than half of what they were in the heyday and down 10% from last season, and students don't show up. Beyond all of that, butts in seats is even worse. This is looking like a managed decline at this point since there is no urgency to fix the issue.

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You're right. I was referencing last year's numbers. Didn't realize this year was so bad until reading HM. And you are right in your last point as well - doesn't seem like anything is happening to fix the problem.

(01-11-2018 06:15 AM)odu09 Wrote:  

(01-11-2018 12:45 AM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  If so few season tix were sold this year why could I not improve my seat location!!!

Great question

ODU has trouble retaining the low and no donation season ticket holders, who would likely select after you.