Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 25 Thread: Old Dominion
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Ted Thompson
2/4/2026 9:07 AM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: Saturday February 7th, 2026 7:00 PM

Opponent: Old Dominion  (7-17, 4-8 Sun Belt)

Site: Chartway Arena

TV/Webcast: ESPN+

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

ODU statisticsroster and media guide

ODU message board:    The Monarch's Den

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M.D.W.S.T
2/4/2026 9:25 AM
Toledo lost last night, so that shifts us into 4th. Not that it changes too much for Cleveland, but if we can go on a little run here and catch Kent State we would play UMASS instead of Toledo. That'll be tough considering we have 6 more games, 2 vs Miami, home v Toledo and a road game that will be tough at UMASS.

We should cruise by ODU, but ESPN's match-up predictor has ODU at a 58% chance of winning so maybe they're thinking we're ass on the road, and eyes are already on Miami.
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FearLeon
2/4/2026 10:52 AM
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Last Edited: 2/4/2026 10:53:31 AM by FearLeon
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bobcatsquared
2/4/2026 12:38 PM
Why not continue with 2 games but both played before conference season begins?
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IceCat76
2/4/2026 1:05 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Why not continue with 2 games but both played before conference season begins?
With the MAC going to a 22 game Conference schedule next year it would be a waste to include 2 with the Sun Belt
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OhioCatFan
2/4/2026 2:33 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
I kind of like the break from the MAC schedule. I'll bet it will continue, despite some coaches not liking it.
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cbarber357
2/4/2026 3:27 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
I kind of like the break from the MAC schedule. I'll bet it will continue, despite some coaches not liking it.
Bring back the bracket busters matchups! (Not that we would be one this year)
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shabamon
2/4/2026 3:29 PM
One thing I think I like most is that when the MAC plays at home for the second game, you get a guaranteed Saturday game in the peak of the season that won't get moved to Friday for TV.
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GraffZ06
2/4/2026 4:12 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
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Alan Swank
2/4/2026 4:17 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Well said. One of the worst things one can do as a coach is talk poorly about an opponent or poo poo a game and/or its importance. Kids at all levels pick up on that.
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M.D.W.S.T
2/4/2026 4:26 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Is a 7 win team from the sun belt really an intriguing match-up amongst a good mid-major?

I mean, I'm happy as hell to beat some bad teams, but lets not act like anyone not related to a player on either team is arranging their schedule for this turd burger.
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GoCats105
2/4/2026 5:24 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Boals would have absolutely hated the ESPN Bracketbuster years.
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OUbobcat9092
2/4/2026 7:02 PM
ODU is playing UL Monroe (3-20) tonight on ESPN+ at 7 pm, if you want to watch them before our game on Saturday.

Their board is worried about winning this game...
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GraffZ06
2/4/2026 8:06 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Is a 7 win team from the sun belt really an intriguing match-up amongst a good mid-major?

I mean, I'm happy as hell to beat some bad teams, but lets not act like anyone not related to a player on either team is arranging their schedule for this turd burger.

Then dont start the season 1-10 and actually draw a better opponent. Nobody to blame but the dude in the mirror if you dont think the opponent is good enough. Newsflash nobody is excited about drawing us either.

Even so, yes I welcome the chance to see/play some other schools. If nothing more than novelty and interesting (aka not normal) matchups. Can even hope to see some different styles of play or scouting reports to prep for post season tournaments. There's always something positive to gain and work on.

Boals should know better. As his mentor famously preached. Its all about mindset.
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OhioCatFan
2/4/2026 8:18 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
. . . Boals should know better. As his mentor famously preached. Its all about mindset.
Ahh . . . I remember those "mindset" quotes. "Good mindset" = we won the game.
"Not a good mindset" = we lost the game. We've apparently had not so good mindset in a lot of our games this year.
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OUbobcat9092
2/4/2026 9:13 PM
ODU lost to UL Monroe, which was 0-10 in the Sun Belt prior to this game.
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Ted Thompson
2/4/2026 9:14 PM
ODU loses to Louisiana Monroe at home 85-79. Monroe's first Sun Belt win of the season.
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Bobcat1996
2/5/2026 7:08 AM
OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
ODU lost to UL Monroe, which was 0-10 in the Sun Belt prior to this game.
The Bobcats catch a break in the scheduling with the Sun Belt schools this season. Ark. State is middle of the pack and ODU is one of the worst teams in the SBC this year. No excuse for at least not getting a split in this SBC matchup.
Last Edited: 2/5/2026 7:09:25 AM by Bobcat1996
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CatsUp
2/5/2026 7:43 AM
Is there anyone who thinks that the MAC going, say, 11-2 instead of 2-11, in this second round, might have an impact on getting a second team (Miami) in the tournament if it comes to that? A tough task with all games on the road. Probably not but thought I’d bring it up anyway.
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GraffZ06
2/5/2026 8:29 AM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
Is there anyone who thinks that the MAC going, say, 11-2 instead of 2-11, in this second round, might have an impact on getting a second team (Miami) in the tournament if it comes to that? A tough task with all games on the road. Probably not but thought I’d bring it up anyway.
For everyone in the MAC not named Miami, the only thing that matters is Cleveland. Full stop.
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Andrew Ruck
2/5/2026 8:35 AM
I think it is sort of fun and a nice little midseason barometer for the conference. I don't know how many avid MAC fans are left out there, but I like the idea of a day of flipping thru games with a rooting interest in 13 games. Definitely agree Boals shouldn't do anything but show excitement, care and concern for the game. I'm really worried we drop this game, and Miami drops their first at Marshall. As history has shown, the home teams dominate...but that context will be ignored if we go out and get humbled with an 11-2 showing or something.

We've been so terrible in this challenge, need to finally get it done.
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Bobcat1996
2/5/2026 10:26 AM
Agree Andrew. Would not shock me if Marshall gets a win over Miami this weekend and knocks the RedHawks out of top 25.
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M.D.W.S.T
2/5/2026 11:16 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Is a 7 win team from the sun belt really an intriguing match-up amongst a good mid-major?

I mean, I'm happy as hell to beat some bad teams, but lets not act like anyone not related to a player on either team is arranging their schedule for this turd burger.

Then dont start the season 1-10 and actually draw a better opponent.
We started the season 5-6.
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FJC31
2/5/2026 11:36 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Is a 7 win team from the sun belt really an intriguing match-up amongst a good mid-major?

I mean, I'm happy as hell to beat some bad teams, but lets not act like anyone not related to a player on either team is arranging their schedule for this turd burger.

Then dont start the season 1-10 and actually draw a better opponent.
We started the season 5-6.

The pairing is based on NET Rankings. Regardless of record, the better the team you are the better the opponent you get. We're not a very good team so our 2nd SBC opponent isn't either.

That said, I was expecting Georgia Southern or Southern Miss.
Last Edited: 2/5/2026 11:38:29 AM by FJC31
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GraffZ06
2/5/2026 11:39 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
This game seems so unnecessary. Boals discussed it post-game last night how MAC coaches want to make the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge a one and done each year instead of two games. I agree.

With that said…play Kuany 20 minutes in this one.
Yeah who wants intriguing matchups amongst good mid majors? We get it. Nothing matters but Cleveland. But thats true whether youre playing ODU or WMU.

I've always hated that Boals poo poo's these games. How about instead you take advantage of an opportunity and instill the mindset in your team of we're up for any challenge "anybody, anywhere" and just build your resume and preparedness?
Is a 7 win team from the sun belt really an intriguing match-up amongst a good mid-major?

I mean, I'm happy as hell to beat some bad teams, but lets not act like anyone not related to a player on either team is arranging their schedule for this turd burger.

Then dont start the season 1-10 and actually draw a better opponent.
We started the season 5-6.

That was hyperbole to make a point. We started 1-6 with 2 exhibition losses so it wasnt even outlandish.
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