Monarchs rank eighth in nation in scoring defense
Western Kentucky isn't fooled for a second by Old Dominion's two-game losing streak at home.
The Hilltoppers haven't forgotten the Monarchs' 32 straight wins at home before that, including their 75-52 pummeling of WKU last season.
"They had one of the longest streaks at home there for a long time, but they've lost two straight," sophomore forward Justin Johnson said. "They're probably going to have a chip on their shoulder, but we also have a chip on our shoulder. We had our backs against the wall for some time this year, and we'll go in there ready to play."
WKU (10-8 overall, 2-3 Conference USA) will try to send Old Dominion to a third straight loss at the Ted Constant Center when the teams meet at 6 p.m. CST Thursday in Norfolk, Va.
The Monarchs (9-9, 2-3) are averaging 7,034 fans per home game. They drew 8,472 fans for a sound beating of WKU last year in their home finale.
"Very, very tough venue," WKU redshirt junior guard Chris Harrison-Docks said. "They bring a great crowd, nice arena. I'm sure it'll probably be pretty packed. Seeing they've lost their last two there, I know we're going to get their best shot. But for me, I'm excited to play there. I can't wait.
"I love going into a place like that and having the opportunity to maybe silence the crowd. I think that's one of the perks of college basketball."
Old Dominion was picked to finish second in C-USA in the preseason after reaching the NIT semifinals last year. They were considered one of the last four teams out of the NCAA Tournament field.
The Monarchs brought back plenty of experience, including senior guard Trey Freeman, who was the league's newcomer of the year last season. Freeman is averaging 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists this year.
Senior guard Aaron Bacote is averaging 15.2 points per game. ODU is allowing 60.7 points per contest, which ranks eighth in the nation.
"They're just a really good defensive team," WKU coach Ray Harper said. "They've got four starters back from last year. (ODU coach Jeff Jones) will have those guys ready. We're going to have to do a really good job of executing in the halfcourt, and our defense is going to have to be on top of its game because they just don't give up a lot of points.
"If you let them score in the 70s, you're going to have a lot of problems."
ODU had its 32-game home winning streak snapped with back-to-back losses to UAB and Middle Tennessee. It's lost three in a row overall, including a road defeat to Southern Miss.
But WKU remembers how dangerous the Monarchs can be from last year's final meeting, in which Old Dominion surged to an early lead and was up 19 by halftime.
The Hilltoppers won the teams' first encounter last season at E.A. Diddle shortly after ODU broke into the top 25. The Monarchs got the last laugh.
"It's a really tough place to play," Johnson said. "Their defensive intensity is really good. They're really good on the defensive end. Trey Freeman is really good. His mid-range game is really good. As long as we're prepared and go in there and play the way we're capable of playing, we'll be all right."
WKU is shooting for back-to-back conference wins after outlasting North Texas 81-76 on Saturday for its first road victory this year.
The Tops are in the middle of a four-game road swing, one section of a larger test of 6 of 8 games away from home.
"Once you get into conference, it's mental," Harrison-Docks said. "It's a lot of knowing what's going on, scouting reports, being locked in to what the coaches want to do, what the gameplan is and learning how to take care of your body when you're traveling."
After visiting Old Dominion, the Toppers travel to Charlotte at 5 p.m. CST Saturday.
WKU is one of seven teams tied for sixth in the C-USA standings at 2-3, along with ODU.
Harper said he's talked to a few of the league's other coaches, and they're all finding that there's not much separation across the board. The only difference between the pack and the teams at the top is superior success on the road.
"It's just so much balance," Harper said. "If you look at all the games, almost every game is close. You look at our (last) two losses, and they were both games that were right there for us. We just didn't find a way to close them out. Teams have had problems winning on the road. If you look at the teams ? UAB and Marshall right now, both tied for first ? they've been able to win on the road. It's just about getting better each day and trying to improve. I think our guys have the potential to do that.
"We've got potential to get better, and I think that happens when you have as many new guys as we've got."
--bgdailynews.com
Western Kentucky isn't fooled for a second by Old Dominion's two-game losing streak at home.
The Hilltoppers haven't forgotten the Monarchs' 32 straight wins at home before that, including their 75-52 pummeling of WKU last season.
"They had one of the longest streaks at home there for a long time, but they've lost two straight," sophomore forward Justin Johnson said. "They're probably going to have a chip on their shoulder, but we also have a chip on our shoulder. We had our backs against the wall for some time this year, and we'll go in there ready to play."
WKU (10-8 overall, 2-3 Conference USA) will try to send Old Dominion to a third straight loss at the Ted Constant Center when the teams meet at 6 p.m. CST Thursday in Norfolk, Va.
The Monarchs (9-9, 2-3) are averaging 7,034 fans per home game. They drew 8,472 fans for a sound beating of WKU last year in their home finale.
"Very, very tough venue," WKU redshirt junior guard Chris Harrison-Docks said. "They bring a great crowd, nice arena. I'm sure it'll probably be pretty packed. Seeing they've lost their last two there, I know we're going to get their best shot. But for me, I'm excited to play there. I can't wait.
"I love going into a place like that and having the opportunity to maybe silence the crowd. I think that's one of the perks of college basketball."
Old Dominion was picked to finish second in C-USA in the preseason after reaching the NIT semifinals last year. They were considered one of the last four teams out of the NCAA Tournament field.
The Monarchs brought back plenty of experience, including senior guard Trey Freeman, who was the league's newcomer of the year last season. Freeman is averaging 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists this year.
Senior guard Aaron Bacote is averaging 15.2 points per game. ODU is allowing 60.7 points per contest, which ranks eighth in the nation.
"They're just a really good defensive team," WKU coach Ray Harper said. "They've got four starters back from last year. (ODU coach Jeff Jones) will have those guys ready. We're going to have to do a really good job of executing in the halfcourt, and our defense is going to have to be on top of its game because they just don't give up a lot of points.
"If you let them score in the 70s, you're going to have a lot of problems."
ODU had its 32-game home winning streak snapped with back-to-back losses to UAB and Middle Tennessee. It's lost three in a row overall, including a road defeat to Southern Miss.
But WKU remembers how dangerous the Monarchs can be from last year's final meeting, in which Old Dominion surged to an early lead and was up 19 by halftime.
The Hilltoppers won the teams' first encounter last season at E.A. Diddle shortly after ODU broke into the top 25. The Monarchs got the last laugh.
"It's a really tough place to play," Johnson said. "Their defensive intensity is really good. They're really good on the defensive end. Trey Freeman is really good. His mid-range game is really good. As long as we're prepared and go in there and play the way we're capable of playing, we'll be all right."
WKU is shooting for back-to-back conference wins after outlasting North Texas 81-76 on Saturday for its first road victory this year.
The Tops are in the middle of a four-game road swing, one section of a larger test of 6 of 8 games away from home.
"Once you get into conference, it's mental," Harrison-Docks said. "It's a lot of knowing what's going on, scouting reports, being locked in to what the coaches want to do, what the gameplan is and learning how to take care of your body when you're traveling."
After visiting Old Dominion, the Toppers travel to Charlotte at 5 p.m. CST Saturday.
WKU is one of seven teams tied for sixth in the C-USA standings at 2-3, along with ODU.
Harper said he's talked to a few of the league's other coaches, and they're all finding that there's not much separation across the board. The only difference between the pack and the teams at the top is superior success on the road.
"It's just so much balance," Harper said. "If you look at all the games, almost every game is close. You look at our (last) two losses, and they were both games that were right there for us. We just didn't find a way to close them out. Teams have had problems winning on the road. If you look at the teams ? UAB and Marshall right now, both tied for first ? they've been able to win on the road. It's just about getting better each day and trying to improve. I think our guys have the potential to do that.
"We've got potential to get better, and I think that happens when you have as many new guys as we've got."
--bgdailynews.com
