Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Top 25 mid-major teams through non-conference play

By Tristan Freeman

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack gestures to his team during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament against the Massachusetts Minutemen at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada defeated Massachusetts 110-87. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack gestures to his team during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Holiday Invitational basketball tournament against the Massachusetts Minutemen at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada defeated Massachusetts 110-87. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON – MARCH 17: The Old Dominion Monarchs watch the final shot of the game reviewed on the video board as they lose to the Butler Bulldogs 60-58 during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Verizon Center on March 17, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – MARCH 17: The Old Dominion Monarchs watch the final shot of the game reviewed on the video board as they lose to the Butler Bulldogs 60-58 during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Verizon Center on March 17, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

17. Old Dominion Monarchs (10-3)

After starting out the season 2-3, Old Dominion has won their last eight games, including over VCU and Syracuse, who was a top-25 team at the time. It’s early but the Monarchs look to be on track to possibly get back-to-back 25-win seasons.

Like other Jeff Jones-coached teams, Old Dominion continues to be a slow-paced, low scoring team. The 56.5 ppg allowed is 4th in the country, while the 66.4 ppg scored is 323 out of 353 D-I teams. They’ve yet to reach 80 points in a game but outside of giving up 79 to Saint Joe’s, has only given up 65+ once. Having a pair of 7’0 transfers in Dajour Dickens and Elbert Robinson in the rotation helps maintain the stout defense.

Only four players for the Monarchs score over a few points a game. But two of them are both All-Conference performers in seniors Ahmad Caver (18.0 ppg and 5.5 apg) and BJ Stith (17.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg). Stith, in particular, has been huge for the team, providing the rebounding load after big man Trey Porter left as a grad transfer to Nevada.

With little offense outside the two seniors, sophomores Xavier Green and Marquis Godwin will have to be solid and consistent contributors going forward. Conference USA is wide-open going forward and Old Dominion will at times need some offense to get the wins needed. Especially for a high scoring team like Marshall.

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