GAME NOTES: The top-seeded Old Dominion Monarchs turn their attention to the No. 4 seed Illinois State Redbirds for a second-round NIT matchup at the Constant Convocation Center.

Waiting in the wings will be the winner of Monday's second-round matchup between No. 2 seed Tulsa and No. 3 seed Murray State.

This is the second meeting this season, and second all-time, between the Monarchs and Redbirds. They faced each other for the first time ever back in November during the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam semifinals, where Illinois State won handily, 64-45.

Illinois State notched a 69-56 win over fifth-seeded Green Bay in the first round, the team's seventh victory in its last eight games. The Redbirds upset nationally-ranked Wichita State in the MVC Tournament semifinals, but then lost to the conference's other ranked squad, Northern Iowa, in the title game.

ODU got past eighth-seeded Charleston Southern in the first round, 65-56. The Monarchs earned a top seed by virtue of being one of the selection committee's "first four teams out" of the NCAA Tournament. Winners of seven of their last eight games just like ISU, the Monarchs finished tied for second in the Conference USA standings. They have also won 22 straight at home dating back to last season.

ISU put forth one of its worst offensive halves of the season in the first round (5-of-25) and trailed Green Bay, 31-24, at halftime. However, the Redbirds then turned in one of their better second halves as they shot 50 percent from the floor and held the Phoenix to 30 percent. They also made their most free throws ever in an NIT game, going 27-for-33 at the charity stripe. Paris Lee led the way with 18 points along with six assists and four steals. Daishon Knight scored 17 points, Reggie Lynch had 15 to go with eight rebounds and six blocks, and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell finished with 14 points, seven boards and a pair of steals. The Redbirds have seven players who average at least six points on the season, led by Knight with 14.4 ppg. Akoon-Purcell (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg) was named MVC Newcomer of the Year.

Monarchs junior guard Trey Freeman is the C-USA Newcomer of the Year and also earned a first-team all-league nod after transferring from Campbell University and sitting out the 2013-14 season. He paces ODU in scoring with 17.3 ppg and is a 36.2-percent 3-point shooter (46-of-127). Aaron Bacote (10.3 ppg) is the team's other double-figure scorer. In winning seven of their last eight contests, the Monarchs have allowed an average of only 52.4 points in that span. It was another staunch defensive effort against Charleston Southern in the first round that resulted in the 400th career win for ODU head coach Jeff Jones. Jonathan Arledge led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Ambrose Mosley drained five threes off the bench. But Freeman was the real star, recording the Monarchs' first triple-double since 1982 with 14 points, 11 boards and 10 assists.

Illinois State was a 19-point winner when these teams faced each other early in the season, although this time around the Redbirds are playing in ODU's stomping grounds, where points will be at a premium. Look for the top-seeded Monarchs to grind down the pace and serve up some revenge to punch their ticket to the next round.