Hoops Preview

The men’s basketball schedule features 12 postseason teams from a year ago, as well as a tournament in Texas, an ESPN Bracketbusters game and a road game with Georgetown.

“As a result of a young team that grew and captured the CollegeInsider.com title, we are taking on a very ambitious and challenging slate of games, which should be very exciting,” said coach Blaine Taylor.

The Monarchs, who finished 25-10 last season, return 10 lettermen, including six players with 13 or more starts. Heading the list is senior Gerald Lee, a first team All-CAA center/forward (15.5 ppg/5.7 rpg).

Also back are juniors Ben Finney (10.0 ppg/6.0 rpg), Darius James (6.9 ppg/4.6 apg), Frank Hassell (7.5 ppg/5.3 rpg) and Keyon Carter (7.9 ppg/4.6 rpg); senior Marsharee Neely (7.1 ppg/2.8 rpg); and sophomore Kent Bazemore (4.5 ppg/3.1 rpg).

Taylor and his staff have brought in an outstanding newcomer in Josh Hicks (Winston-Salem, N.C.), a 6-2 All-State guard who averaged 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 4.5 steals his senior year.

The Lady Monarchs’ nonconference schedule includes seven postseason teams from a year ago, starting Nov. 13 when ODU hosts national semifinalist Stanford in the regular-season opener. The team will play national runner-up Louisville at a neutral site and NCAA regional finalist Maryland on the road.

Coach Wendy Larry’s team, which finished 17-13 last year and saw its streak of 17 straight CAA titles come to an end, is hoping to start a new conference title run this season.

Leading the way will be senior Jessica Canady, a second team All-CAA forward who averaged 12.6 points and 9.6 rebounds. The team’s third-leading scorer also returns, junior guard Jasmine Parker (10.2 ppg).

Other key contributors back are junior Shadasia Green (9.3 ppg/6.0 rpg) and sophomore Mairi Buchan (5.2 ppg/3.3 rpg). Tia Lewis joins the rotation after sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer regulations. The Central Florida product was the 2007-08 Conference USA Freshman of the Year.

ODU will host NCAA first- and second-round games March 21 and 23.