If you’re looking at the box scores, the High Point vs Old Dominion matchup might look like just another Tuesday night game on a crowded college basketball slate. But it’s not. It really isn't. When the High Point University Panthers and the Old Dominion University Monarchs step onto the hardwood, you’re seeing two programs with vastly different legacies trying to claim the same patch of dirt in the mid-major hierarchy.
Old Dominion is the old guard. They’ve got the history, the Sun Belt pedigree, and that gritty Norfolk identity. High Point? They’re the "new money" of the Big South. They have the fancy arena—the Qubein Center—and a sudden, aggressive push toward national relevance that has ruffled more than a few feathers. It’s a clash of cultures.
The Evolution of the High Point vs Old Dominion Matchup
Most people assume these schools have been playing forever because they’re geographically close, but the reality is more nuanced. Old Dominion spent years in the C-USA before moving to the Sun Belt, while High Point has been the big fish in the Big South pond. When they finally meet, it's about more than just a "W." It’s about recruiting trails in the Virginia-North Carolina corridor.
Think about the coaching styles for a second. High Point, under Alan Huss, has leaned into a modern, high-tempo offense that spaces the floor and dares you to keep up. It’s flashy. It works. On the other side, ODU has traditionally been built on a foundation of "we will out-rebound you and make your life miserable for 40 minutes." It’s blue-collar vs. white-collar on a basketball court.
Honestly, the atmosphere in Norfolk at Chartway Arena is one of the most underrated environments in the country. It’s loud. It’s tight. But High Point’s Qubein Center is basically a five-star hotel that happens to have a basketball court in the middle of it. Players feel that. Recruits definitely feel that. When you compare High Point vs Old Dominion, you're looking at a battle between a program with a storied past and one that is trying to buy—and coach—its way into a storied future.
Breaking Down the Roster Dynamics
You can’t talk about this game without looking at the guard play. Usually, the Monarchs bring in these long, athletic wings who can switch everything on defense. It’s their bread and butter. High Point, meanwhile, has been incredibly savvy with the transfer portal. They aren’t just taking flyers on guys; they are sniping high-level talent that fits a specific, spacing-oriented system.
If you watched their recent meetings, you saw the contrast immediately. ODU wants to grind the shot clock. They want the final score to be 62-58. High Point wants that score in the 80s. When ODU wins, it’s because they turned the game into a mud fight. When High Point wins, it’s because their shooters got hot early and the Monarchs didn’t have the offensive firepower to climb out of the hole.
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The Coaching Chess Match
Alan Huss at High Point has brought a certain "power five" mentality to a mid-major program. He’s aggressive. He’s not afraid to play a difficult non-conference schedule. Old Dominion, transitioning through their own coaching shifts, is trying to recapture that Jeff Jones-era consistency where they were a lock for 20 wins a season.
There’s also the "big brother" factor. For a long time, ODU was clearly the "bigger" program. Better conference, more tournament appearances, more eyes. But the gap is closing. Or, if you ask a High Point fan, it’s already gone. That’s where the friction comes from. Fans in Norfolk aren't used to seeing a school from the Big South come into their house and expect to win.
Recruiting Battles in the 757 and the Triad
The 757 area code in Virginia is a goldmine for talent. Old Dominion used to have a fence around it. Now? You see High Point coaches all over those gyms. High Point is selling a lifestyle and a brand new facility. ODU is selling a tradition of toughness and a path to the Sun Belt, which is arguably a more respected multi-bid league in many years.
It’s basically a turf war. If a kid from Virginia Beach is choosing between these two, he’s choosing between two completely different visions of what college basketball should look like.
Why the Mid-Major Landscape Needs This
Let’s be real. The NCAA is becoming a playground for the "Big Free." NIL money is flowing into the SEC and Big Ten like water. In that environment, games like High Point vs Old Dominion are actually the lifeblood of the sport. These are the teams that cause the madness in March.
High Point has been knocking on the door of a Top 25 ranking sporadically, which is wild for a Big South team. They’ve invested millions. If they can consistently beat teams like ODU, the selection committee can't ignore them. For Old Dominion, beating High Point is a way to say, "Hold on, we’re still the kings of this region."
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It's sorta funny how much people overlook the technical side of this rivalry. The ball screen coverage alone is a masterclass. High Point runs a lot of "zoom" actions—that's a pindown into a handoff—to get their guards moving downhill. ODU usually counters with a "drop" coverage that forces mid-range jumpers. It’s a game of chicken. Who blinks first? Does High Point keep shooting the three even if they’re cold? Does ODU abandon the post if they fall behind by ten?
Key Stats That Actually Matter
When evaluating High Point vs Old Dominion, stop looking at points per game. Look at:
- Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%): High Point usually leads here. They take better shots.
- Offensive Rebound Rate: This is ODU’s lifeline. If they aren't getting second chances, they aren't winning.
- Turnover Margin: High Point’s fast pace can lead to sloppiness. If ODU stays disciplined, they can capitalize.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
Keep an eye on the officiating early. If the refs are calling it tight, that favors High Point's shooters and their ability to get to the line. If it’s a "let them play" kind of night, the physical advantage goes to the Monarchs.
Also, watch the bench. In these mid-major battles, depth is often a myth. Usually, it's six or seven guys doing all the heavy lifting. The first team to get into foul trouble is basically cooked.
The fanbases are starting to lean into this more, too. You’re seeing more "HPU" shirts in Norfolk and more "ODU" hats in High Point. It’s becoming a "driveable" rivalry, which is the best kind. You can hop on I-58 lead or whatever route you take and be there in a few hours. That traveling support changes the energy in the building.
People often ask me which program is in a better spot for the next five years. It’s a tough call. High Point has the momentum and the checkbook. Old Dominion has the infrastructure and the fan base that has been through the wars. If I’m a betting man, I’d say High Point has a higher ceiling right now, but ODU has a much higher floor. They don't just disappear.
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Practical Steps for Following the Rivalry
If you actually want to understand the High Point vs Old Dominion dynamic beyond the box score, you need to do a few things.
First, watch the "KenPom" rankings for both teams throughout the season. Don't just look at the wins and losses. Look at the adjusted efficiency. Often, one of these teams will be playing much better than their record suggests because of a brutal non-conference schedule.
Second, follow the local beat writers on social media. The national guys won't give you the "he's playing through a sprained ankle" or "the locker room is clicking" updates that actually matter for these schools.
Lastly, if you have the chance, go to a game at both venues. You cannot understand the "High Point vs Old Dominion" debate until you feel the difference between the luxury of the Qubein Center and the old-school collegiate grit of Chartway Arena. They are two different worlds.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Track the Transfer Portal entries for both schools in April; this is where the 2026-2027 version of this rivalry will be won or lost.
- Monitor the NET Rankings specifically in late January. This determines if their matchup will be a Quad 2 or Quad 3 game, which is massive for tournament resumes.
- Check the Sun Belt vs Big South conference challenge schedules to see if a formal yearly meeting becomes a permanent fixture.
- Analyze the Points Per Possession (PPP) on transition plays for High Point; if it drops below 1.1, they are vulnerable to ODU’s half-court defensive sets.