GAME NOTES: The Murphy Center will be the stage for a defensive battle on Thursday night, as the Old Dominion Monarchs take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a Conference USA duel.

Old Dominion, which paces the C-USA in scoring defense (55.4 ppg), hope to pick up its third win in a row after successful outings versus Rice (63-53) and North Texas (61-50) during its recent two-game homestand. The Monarchs are 10-0 at home and have won 14 straight there dating back to last season. The Monarchs are tied for third place in the league standings with UTEP and UAB. Western Kentucky, which defeated ODU, 72-65, is the only one of the Monarchs' opponent to surpass the 70-point mark this season. Coach Jeff Jones' team is also ranked seventh in the C-USA in scoring offense (66.1 ppg), and it is first in rebounding margin (+8.2).

The Monarchs' rebounding prowess was on full display versus North Texas the last time out, as they finished with a 47-31 advantage on the glass. Tony Freeman led ODU with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor, while Aaron Bacote tallied 14 points and six boards. Richard Ross (8.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg) was quiet offensively with only two points, but he made an impact with a game-high 10 boards. Freeman is netting 15.8 ppg on 42.6 percent efficiency from the field, to go along with 3.4 apg and 1.3 spg. Bacote chips in 10.2 ppg. George Mason transfer Jonathan Arledge has been stepping up his performance of late with averages of 11 points and 6.6 rebounds over his last five games.

To remain in the race for the C-USA crown, ODU will have to overcome the Blue Raiders at the Murphy Center, where they are an impressive 52-6 over the past four seasons. Middle Tennessee is 7-2 at home this season and sits just one game back of the Monarchs in the conference standings. The Blue Raiders suffered a 75-65 setback which ended a three-game win streak at Louisiana Tech the last time out. Coach Kermit Davis Jr.'s team is ranked second in C-USA in scoring defense (60.2 ppg) and next-to-last in the 14-team league in scoring offense (60.8 ppg).

Middle Tennessee has won all three previous meetings between these two teams. The Blue Raiders downed ODU, 75-66, in the 1986-87 campaign, and twice last season.

Davis utilizes his bench more than most coaches do. As a result, Middle Tennessee's reserves have accounted for 45.1 percent of the team's scoring with 27.4 ppg, outscoring the opposition by an average of 11.8 ppg. Sophomore forward Reggie Upshaw, who is posting 11.7 ppg when coming off the bench, led the reserves with 12 points in the loss at Louisiana Tech. Freshman guard JaQuel Richmond supplied a team-high 14 points. Upshaw leads the Blue Raiders with 9.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Jacquez Rozier is second in both categories with 8.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg.

The Blue Raiders are 10-1 this season when scoring 60 or more points. They will struggle to reach the 60-point mark against the Monarchs' stingy defense. ODU shot just 35.1 percent from the floor the last time out, which is not a good sign heading into a matchup with the league's second-best defensive club. MT's homecourt advantage and physical style of play creates a very realistic possibility of an upset.