Location Norfolk, VA Home Away Conference Conference USA | Nickname Monarchs Head coach Jeff Jones Division Division I (NCAA) | |
 | ||
University Old Dominion University Colors Slate Blue, Silver, and Light Blue Arena/Stadium Ted Constant Convocation Center | ||
The Old Dominion Monarchs basketball team represents Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, United States in NCAA Division I men's competition. (The women's team, which has traditionally had a considerably higher national profile, is known as the Lady Monarchs.) The school's team currently competes in the Conference USA. They were the Division II national champions in 1975, champions of the inaugural CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament in 2009, and champions of the inaugural Vegas 16 in 2016. The team last played in the Division I NCAA Tournament in 2011. The Monarchs are currently coached by Jeff Jones.
Contents
History
Old Dominion University has enjoyed an impressive basketball tradition. Since fielding its first team in 1930, Old Dominion has won 1,240 games in 81 years, a winning percentage of .591. Founded in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, the institution gained independence in 1962 and became Old Dominion College. In 1969, University status was granted and the name was changed to Old Dominion University. Sonny Allen was named head coach at Old Dominion in 1965, following athletic director Bud Metheny’s outstanding career. In ten years, Allen led the Monarchs to 181 wins, and a second place national finish at the 1970 NCAA Division II championships. In 1975 his Monarchs took the ultimate prize with the Division II National Championship. Paul Webb took control in 1975–76 and led the Monarchs to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division II nationals. Webb successfully guided the Old Dominion program to one of the nation’s premier Division I basketball programs. In ten seasons, Webb won 196 victories and took the Big Blue to nine national postseason tournaments. In 1985, the reins were turned over to Tom Young and he guided the Monarchs to a 23–8 mark in 1986 and an NCAA bid. The Monarchs advanced to the second round for the first time ever. In 1987–88, Old Dominion was 18–12 and earned a NIT bid. In 1991–92, former captain Oliver Purnell returned to his alma mater and led Old Dominion to the CAA title and a trip to the NCAA. In 1993 and 1994 the Monarchs advanced to the second round of the NIT. Jeff Capel took over in 1994–95 and guided the Monarchs to the second round of the NCAA after a stunning victory over third seed Villanova, 89–81 in triple overtime. Capel gain guided Old Dominion to a CAA title and NCAA Tournament play in 1997. In April 2001, Blaine Taylor became the Monarchs fifth Division I head coach. He guided ODU to the school’s most wins in a single season (28) in 2004–05, winning the CAA crown and advancing to the NCAA tournament. The following year, ODU won another 24 games and reached the semi-finals of the NIT at Madison Square Garden. The 2007 Monarchs won another 24 games and advanced to the NCAA tournament as an at-large team. In 2008, ODU reached the quarterfinals of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational (CBI). In 2008–09 the Monarchs won the championship of the inaugural College Insider.com tournament with a 25–10 record. In 2009–10, ODU captured its fifth CAA title andadvanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament after beating sixth seeded Notre Dame, 51–50. In 2010–11, ODU won its second straight CAA crown and lost at the buzzer to Butler in the NCAA Tournament. In 2011–12, ODU advanced to the Quarterfinals of the CIT. The Monarchs have been selected for postseason play 20 times since moving up to Division I in 1976–77, eight by the NCAA and ten by the NIT. Twenty-two players have been accorded All-American honors since 1958, including first team selections Wilson Washington (1975–76), Joel Copeland (1973–74) and Dave Twardzik (1972–73).
Ted Constant Convocation Center
Since moving into the Ted Constant Convocation Center in 2002 the Old Dominion men's basketball team has experienced a high winning percentage with an outstanding home court advantage.
Current coaching staff
Division I NCAA tournament results
The Monarchs have appeared in 11 Division I NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 3–11.
*Following the introduction of the "First Four" round in 2011, the Round of 64 and Round of 32 were referred to as the Second Round and Third Round, respectively, from 2011 to 2015. Then from 2016 moving forward, the Round 64 and Round of 32 will be called the First and Second rounds, as they were prior to 2011.
NCAA Tournament seeding history
The NCAA began seeding the tournament with the 1979 NCAA Tournament.
Division II NCAA tournament results
The Monarchs have appeared in six NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Tournaments. Their combined record is 14–7. They were national champions in 1975.
NIT results
The Monarchs have appeared in 11 National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 11–11.
CBI results
The Monarchs have appeared in two College Basketball Invitational. Their combined record is 3–2.
CIT results
The Monarchs have appeared in two CollegeInsider.com Tournaments. They were champions of the inaugural tournament in 2009. Their combined record is 6–1.
Vegas 16 results
The Monarchs have appeared in one Vegas 16. Their record is 3–0 and were champions of the inaugural tournament in 2016.