
Old Dominion will play Conference USA games two at a time and so far has just a pair of non-conference home games, according to a partial schedule announced by the school Tuesday.
The Monarchs, as The Pilot reported Oct. 15, will open the truncated 2020-21 season Nov. 28 at home against William & Mary. Their only other home non-conference game scheduled so far will take place Dec. 22 against Virginia Wesleyan, though a school spokesman said other home dates could be added.
The 18-game C-USA schedule, adjusted to focus “on the health and safety of student-athletes” in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ODU said in a release, will feature same-site games two days apart. The Monarchs open the conference season at Florida International on Dec. 31, and then play the same team in the same venue two days later.
Similar home series occur against North Texas, Marshall and Middle Tennessee. ODU will play one home-and-home series with Charlotte, separated by three February days.
Based on state guidelines, ODU plans to allow a limited number of ticketed fans in Chartway Arena per game. Seating will be socially distanced, and all tickets will be provided via mobile delivery.
Seat locations will be determined by the ODU Athletic Founation priority point system. Priority for purchasing tickets will be provided starting with ODAF members and season ticket holders from last season.
Seat holders from the 2019-2020 season will be contacted via email by ODAF and the ODU ticket office during the first week of November with further information and instructions for purchasing tickets, along with the safety protocol that will be implemented for games this season.
The announced itinerary doesn’t include the Monarchs’ tentatively scheduled Dec. 2 game at Norfolk State, which would be the program’s first visit across town in 52 years.
ODU’s women on Tuesday announced a similar schedule, with home non-conference games against William & Mary, Virginia Commonwealth and South Carolina Upstate before a string of two-game, same-site conference series that reflect the men’s schedule.
While the men are on the road against FIU, for example, the Panthers’ women will visit ODU.
The women also split a home-and-home with Charlotte in February.
David Hall, 757-446-2367, david.hall@pilotonline.com
2020-21 Old Dominion men’s basketball home schedule:
Saturday, Nov. 28: vs. William & Mary
Tuesday, Dec. 22: vs. Virginia Wesleyan
2020-21 Old Dominion men’s basketball Conference USA schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 31: at Florida International
Saturday, Jan. 2: at Florida International
Thursday, Jan. 7: vs. Florida Atlantic
Saturday, Jan. 9: vs. Florida Atlantic
Thursday, Jan. 14: at Rice
Saturday, Jan. 16: at Rice
Thursday, Jan. 21: vs. North Texas
Saturday, Jan. 23: vs. North Texas
Thursday, Jan. 28: at Western Kentucky
Saturday, Jan. 30: at Western Kentucky
Thursday, Feb. 4: vs. Marshall
Saturday, Feb. 6: vs. Marshall
Wednesday, Feb. 10: at Charlotte
Saturday, Feb. 13: vs. Charlotte
Thursday, Feb. 18: at UAB
Saturday, Feb. 20: at UAB
Thursday, Feb. 25: vs. Middle Tennessee
Saturday, Feb. 27: vs. Middle Tennessee
Home games are in bold
2020-21 Old Dominion women’s basketball schedule:
Thursday, Dec. 3 – William & Mary
Sunday, Dec. 6 – VCU
Sunday, Dec. 13 – SC Upstate
Thursday, Dec. 31 – FIU
Saturday, Jan. 2 – FIU
Thursday, Jan. 7 – at Florida Atlantic
Saturday, Jan. 9 – at Florida Atlantic
Thursday, Jan. 14 – Rice
Saturday, Jan. 16 – Rice
Thursday, Jan. 21 – at North Texas
Saturday, Jan. 23 – at North Texas
Thursday, Jan. 28 – WKU
Saturday, Jan. 30 – WKU
Thursday, Feb. 4 – at Marshall
Saturday, Feb. 6 – at Marshall
Thursday, Feb. 11 – Charlotte
Saturday, Feb. 12 – at Charlotte
Thursday, Feb. 18 – UAB
Saturday, Feb. 20 – UAB
Thursday, Feb. 25 – at Middle Tennessee
Saturday, Feb. 27 – at Middle Tennessee
Home games are in bold Game times are TBD