ODU Men’s Basketball: Early Season Recap and a Look Ahead to Norfolk State and George Washington

By Brandon "BJ" Johnson

Old Dominion opened the 2025–26 season with two very different performances, providing an early snapshot of both the strengths this roster can lean on and the areas that must tighten up as competition ramps up.

Coach Mike Jones talks with Jordan Battle during the exhibition against Hampton. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography

A Step Back on the Road

The Monarchs kicked off the 2025-26 campaign on November 3rd with a trip to Oxford, Ohio to face off with Miami (OH).

For a team with a lot of new additions that are integral pieces while missing 2 key contributors (Robert Davis Jr. and Steph Walker), going on the road to open the season against a 27-win team from a year ago with a lot of returning production may not have been ideal. 

And while it may not have been ideal, ODU did jump out to an early lead off of defensive intensity and good ball movement. But as the game progressed, Miami adjusted, got more comfortable and started to turn the tables their way. ODU ultimately fell 87–72, in a game marked by costly mistakes and lapses in execution. 

LJ Thomas led with 13 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, and Zacch Wiggins was a bright spot off the bench with a perfect shooting night (15 points on 3–3 FG and 2–2 from deep).

KC Shaw and Jordan Battle chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively. However, the underlying numbers drove the result: 19 turnovers, second-chance points allowed, and a defensive stretch in each half where Miami seized control.

In the first half, ODU shot the ball insanely well and helping lead to a solid full game stat line (47% from the field, 43% from three, 81% at the line). However, when things got tighter late in the game, we saw a unit that started to press a bit. Rushing the offense, forcing shots and gifting extra possessions. While ODU pressed, Miami seemed to get more comfortable. Making mistakes while the opposition executed led to the margin ballooning. And in a game where ODU was once in control, it quickly slipped away.

L.J. Thomas drives the lane in the exhibition against Hampton. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography

It is nice to be home
The Monarchs returned home on November 6 with a commanding 93–53 win at Chartway Arena over D-III Randolph. ODU controlled the game from start to finish behind efficient scoring and balanced contributions across the rotation. Interesting note here is ODU shot 0-12 in the first half from 3 on a lot of good looks coming off the extra pass. Had they hit at a usual clip, this score would have been even more dominant.

KC Shaw set the tone with 22 points on 8–12 shooting, showing the shot-making and downhill aggressiveness that the offense will rely on all year. LJ Thomas added 16 points and 6 assists, operating with poise and creating quality looks for others.

Caelum Swanton-Rodger delivered 10 points and 7 rebounds, anchoring the interior on both ends. The bench was equally productive, led by Wiggins’ 9 points, and the team shot 51.5% from the field while recording 19 assists.

For the most part, ODU played connected basketball and dictated the tempo—exactly the profile of a team capable of stacking wins as the season progresses. 

K.C. Shaw slam dunks the ball in the exhibition against Hampton. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography

What ODU Does Well 
Through two games, several strengths are already emerging:

Backcourt Creation – 
Thomas, Shaw and Battle gives ODU a trio of playmakers to group with Robert Davis Jr. All can create off the dribble, finish, and facilitate. When they’re decisive, the offense flows.

Bench Impact –
Wiggins has been a major spark, and the rotational depth looks improved. Drew McKenna, Ben Nacey, Donovan Raymond and Jared Turner have all shown they can provide quality minutes.

Shot Quality and Efficiency –
Even in the loss, ODU generated good clean looks. The team’s combined 49% field-goal shooting through two games suggests this is a group that can score consistently. Scottie Hubbard's growth on the court has been mostly obvious in this department. 

Rebounding Effort –
The Monarchs have shown strong commitment on the glass, with multiple players contributing each night.

Where Improvement Is Needed
For ODU to get where it wants to go, two areas require immediate attention:

Turnovers –
The 19 giveaways at Miami were the decisive factor. ODU has the talent to overcome cold shooting nights, but it cannot overcome handing away possessions. Cleaner execution, sharper passing angles and stronger ball security must be priorities. You can't dribble the ball off your feet as often as we have seen so far this year.

Defensive Consistency –
The team has stretches where it defends at a high level with good defensive intensity and communication, but stretches aren’t enough. Sustained pressure, better rotations, and improved transition defense will determine whether ODU can close out games against stronger opponents. Given the amount of switching that occurs in this defense, communication must always been on point or it can lead to easy buckets.

Previewing the Next Two Matchups

Norfolk State (11/11) 
This is a matchup where ODU’s discipline will set the tone. Norfolk State traditionally plays tough, physical defense that tests the opponents' ball security from the opening tip. Now, NSU is replacing their 9 top scorers from a year ago and while they have filled it up with ease this season, they haven't shown that tough defense yet. But you can bet Robert Jones will have his team ready to make a statement tonight. 

If the Monarchs limit turnovers and leverage their size advantage on the interior, they should control the game. Expect Thomas, Shaw and Battle to dictate pace, with Swanton-Rodger and company needing to establish control in the paint early. If we do that and maintain defensive intensity, this could be a fun one.

@ George Washington (11/15) 
The GW trip will demand the best version of ODU. Playing on the road against a team that can score in bunches, ODU’s defensive consistency becomes the critical factor. The Monarchs will need to rebound well, rotate cleanly, and avoid the stretches of passive defense that hurt them in Oxford. Offensively, continuing to generate high-percentage looks and leaning on Shaw’s and Thomas’ playmaking will be essential. 

Final Outlook
ODU has shown flashes of a team capable of competing at a high level. The offensive talent is there, the depth is tangible, and the core pieces are already producing. If the Monarchs tighten up the turnover issues and deliver more consistent defensive pressure, both the Norfolk State and George Washington matchups become strong opportunities to reassert momentum.