When the schedule for the 2024-25 season dropped, most fans figured the Old Dominion vs Arizona matchup would be a standard non-conference tune-up. Maybe a twenty-point spread. A chance for the Wildcats to work on their rotation.
Nobody actually expected a 58-point massacre.
On November 9, 2024, at the McKale Memorial Center, Arizona didn't just win. They dismantled Old Dominion in a 102-44 performance that felt more like a professional team playing a local high school squad. Honestly, it was hard to watch if you’re a Monarchs fan.
Why Old Dominion vs Arizona Still Matters
It’s easy to look at a final score like 102-44 and just move on. But for those following the Big 12 transition and Tommy Lloyd’s coaching trajectory, this game was a massive statement about roster depth.
Tobe Awaka was the absolute star of the show. The Tennessee transfer basically owned the paint. He finished the night with 18 points and 15 rebounds, shooting a ridiculous 8-for-10 from the field in just 21 minutes of action.
✨ Don't miss: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
You’ve got to appreciate the efficiency there. Most guys take an entire season to look that comfortable in a new system.
The Numbers That Define Old Dominion vs Arizona
If you want to understand how a gap this wide happens, you have to look at the glass. Arizona outrebounded Old Dominion 59 to 28. That isn't a statistical edge; it's a physical bullying.
The Monarchs didn't score for the first three minutes of the first half. Then, they didn't score for the first three minutes of the second half. It's tough to win games when you’re essentially spotting the opponent a dozen points every time the whistle blows.
- Arizona Field Goal Percentage: 50.7%
- ODU Field Goal Percentage: Roughly 30% (it felt lower)
- Turnovers: Arizona kept it clean with only 9.
- Bench Points: Arizona’s depth was terrifying, with Carter Bryant (12 points), Anthony Dell’Orso (11), and Henri Veesaar (10) all hitting double figures.
Caleb Love, the Preseason AP All-American, didn't even need to be the "alpha" that day. He chipped in 10 points and mostly watched the bench mob take over.
🔗 Read more: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
A Rough Year for the Monarchs
Old Dominion, led by Mike Jones, has had a difficult road since that meeting. Looking at their 2025-26 record as of mid-January, they’ve struggled to find a consistent rhythm. They are sitting at 4-10. Losses to schools like William & Mary and George Mason show that the issues exposed in the Arizona game weren't just a fluke against a top-tier opponent—they were systemic.
The talent gap in college basketball is widening. This game was the evidence.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s a common misconception that Arizona just "got lucky" with a hot shooting night. That's not what happened. If you watch the tape, the Wildcats' defensive intensity was what caused the collapse.
Tommy Lloyd mentioned after the game that he’d been riding his players all week about defensive standards. He wanted them to be "better than good." By holding a Division I team to 44 points, they hit that mark.
💡 You might also like: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
Old Dominion actually has a decent basketball history—they’ve made the NCAA tournament 12 times. But on this specific night, the speed of the Big 12-bound Wildcats was simply too much for the Sun Belt visitors to handle.
Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're betting on or following these teams as the 2025-26 season continues, keep these points in mind:
- Arizona's Home Dominance: The McKale Center remains one of the hardest places to play in the country. If the Wildcats are favored by 15 at home, they’re usually good for 25.
- ODU's Rebounding Woes: The Monarchs still struggle against length. Until they find a way to solidify the interior, they’ll be vulnerable to teams with "active" bigs like Awaka.
- The "Lloyd Effect": Tommy Lloyd’s teams don't take "buy games" off. They play with a level of aggression that is rare for high-major teams facing mid-majors early in the year.
For anyone tracking the Old Dominion vs Arizona history, the all-time series is now 2-0 in favor of Arizona. The first meeting back in 1975 was much closer, but the 2024 rematch set a new, albeit painful, precedent for this pairing.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep an eye on the transfer portal impacts for both schools this spring. Arizona's ability to plug and play guys like Awaka is the blueprint for modern success, while Old Dominion needs to find a way to retain their core to avoid another rebuilding year. If you're looking for the next Monarchs game, check the Sun Belt standings—they have a real shot at a "spoiler" role in the conference tournament if their defense tightens up.