Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will bring a mix of veterans and newcomers to their respective 2004-05 campaigns. The Monarchs face another slate of tough, top-notch competition, including five teams that played in last year’s NCAA tournament – St. Joseph’s, Liberty, East Tennessee State and CAA rival Virginia Commonwealth. DePaul returns to the Monarchs’ schedule for the first time since 1987-88. The teams will meet Jan. 2 in Chicago with the Blue Demons coming to Norfolk in 2005-06.

“There is a tremendous anticipation around our program as we approach the upcoming season,” said ODU men’s coach Blaine Taylor. “We feel our schedule, which features eight postseason teams and five conference champions, will challenge our team in many different ways every night.”

Former Sun Belt rival South Alabama will open the Monarchs’ regular season Nov. 20 in the Constant Center as part of Homecoming weekend.

ODU return four starters, including All-CAA center Alex Loughton and All-CAA guard Isaiah Hunter. The Monarchs also return CAA All-Rookie selection Arnaud Dahi, along with Valdas Vasylius and Drew Williamson.

Taylor and his staff welcome another stellar recruiting class in 7-3 Sam Harris from Australia, the tallest player in ODU history and the tallest in the CAA this season; 6-1 guard Brandon Johnson; and 6-5 forward Jason Thompson.

The Lady Monarchs renew their rivalries with national runner-up and current preseason No. 1-ranked Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Penn State and North Carolina.

“Year-in and year-out, I believe we play one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country,” said head coach Wendy Larry.

The 2004-05 Lady Monarchs, winners of the last 13 CAA championships, feature eight letter-winners, including two returning starters in senior standout Shareese Grant and junior Lawona Davis, as well as 6-6 center Corrina Turner and six newcomers.

The newcomers are led by Chesapeake native Tiffany Green and Tamara Ransburg, a transfer from the University of Kansas. They join Megan Pym, Shahida Williams and Hampton Roads natives Jen Nuzzo and T.J. Jordan.

Green, a 6-2 forward from Indian River High School, averaged 13.9 points and 12 rebounds her senior season as she helped lead her team to the state championship semifinals. As a junior, she was named First Team Associated Press All-Group AAA and Player of the Year after leading the Braves to a 32-1 record.

Though she will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer guidelines, Ransburg is expected to bolster the 2005-06 squad.