Thursday, March 19th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,424) -- Norfolk, Virginia. Television: None. Home Record: Citadel 10-5, ODU 13-3. Away Record: Citadel 9-5, ODU 7-6. Neutral Record: Citadel 1-2, ODU 1-1. Conference Record: Citadel 15-5, ODU 12-6. Series Record: Old Dominion leads, 1-0

GAME NOTES: The final first round matchup of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament will take place this evening when the Old Dominion Monarchs host The Citadel Bulldogs at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. This will be the first postseason appearance for the Bulldogs, who closed out their regular season with a 20-12 mark. The Citadel claimed a 15-5 record in Southern Conference play, but was ousted from the league tournament by Samford in quarterfinal action. As for the Monarchs, they are making their fifth postseason appearance. Last year the team took part in the inaugural CBI Tournament. Old Dominion's overall postseason ledger is a meager 11-20, and that includes trips to the NCCA Tournament and the NIT. This season the Monarchs finished with a 21-10 ledger, and that included a 12-6 mark in Colonial Athletic Association action. However, the team did not fair well in the league tournament, falling to VCU in the semifinals. This will be only the second meeting between the two schools on the hardwood. The only other matchup between the two teams took place during the 1966-67 campaign, and the game was claimed by the Monarchs, 78-70.

The Bulldogs use a tough defensive approach to wear their opponents down and for the most part that was effective this season, as the team is limiting the opposition to just 64.6 ppg. The Citadel however, has forced just under 400 turnovers on the season, while collecting only 170 steals. At the other end of the floor the team has relied on Demetrius Nelson, who is pacing the team with 16.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg. However, Cameron Wells is probably the most complete player for The Citadel, as the guard is posting 15.7 ppg, to go along with a team-best 3.1 rpg. Wells, who is also leading the team with 45 steals, has worked hard on the glass as well, grabbing 5.0 rpg. As a whole the Bulldogs have been a tad inconsistent offensively, and are netting just 67.1 ppg.

Much like their counterpart, the Monarchs have relied heavily on their play defensively, as the team is holding opponents to just 60.8 ppg. Teams are shooting a mediocre 42.0 percent against ODU, but the Monarchs are holding the competition to just 33.1 percent shooting from long range, and have also dominated the glass by outrebounding teams by 6.2 rebounds per contest. Unfortunately the team has not been as successful offensively, as Old Dominion is posting just 66.1 ppg. Gerald Lee has been the main source of production for the Monarchs, as the center is averaging 15.8 ppg, to go along with 5.7 rpg. Ben FInney is the only other player contributing double-figures for ODU, as the big man is chipping in 10.4 ppg, to go along with a team-best 6.0 rpg.

This should be a low-scoring affair between two tough defensive teams. However, with that said, look for the Monarchs to protect their home court advantage and grab a win over the Bulldogs.

Predicted Outcome

Old Dominion 65, The Citadel 62