More versatility, less predictability are ODU’s goals on both ends of the floor

Coach: Jeff Jones.

Last season: 13-19, 9-9 Conference USA.

Fans in the stands?: Attendance at Chartway Arena will be limited to 250.

Where to watch/listen: Various TV networks, ODU Sports Radio Network (94.1FM); Wednesday’s opener at Maryland is available on Big Ten Network+ (subscription).

Storylines: The Monarchs return three starters, including leading scorer Malik Curry (13.4 ppg), from a team that suffered more near-misses last season than it cares to remember. Coach Jeff Jones hopes his team will be more versatile and less predictable on both ends of the floor, with the ability to score both on the fast break and in the half-court. ODU will play seven regional non-conference games before opening its C-USA schedule Jan. 1 at Florida International. Jason Wade, a 6-foot-5 Richmond native who appeared in 20 games last season before suffering a knee injury, also will miss this season. Before his injury last year, Wade averaged 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game

Predicted order of finish (media poll): Western Kentucky, North Texas, Marshall, Alabama

Birmingham, Old Dominion, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech, Texas El Paso, Texas San Antonio, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Middle Tennessee, Southern Miss, Rice

Schedule

Nov. 25 at Maryland

Nov. 28 vs. William & Mary Dec. 2 at Norfolk State

Dec. 7 at James Madison Dec. 12 at Virginia Commonwealth

Dec. 13 vs. George Mason* Dec. 22 vs. Virginia Wesleyan

Jan. 1 at Florida International^

Jan. 2 at Florida International^

Jan. 8 vs. Florida Atlantic^ Jan. 9 vs. Florida Atlantic^ Jan. 15 at Rice^

Jan. 16 at Rice^

Jan. 22 vs. North Texas^ Jan. 23 vs. North Texas^ Ja n. 29 at Western Kentucky^

Jan. 30 at Western Kentucky^

Feb. 5 vs. Marshall^

Feb. 6 vs. Marshall^

Feb. 10 at Charlotte^

Feb. 13 vs. Charlotte^

Feb. 19 at Alabama Birmingham^

Feb. 20 at Alabama Birmingham^

Feb. 26 vs. Middle Tennessee^

Feb. 27 vs. Middle Tennessee^

March 10-13 Conference USA tournament in Frisco, Texas

*at Siegel Center in Richmond

^Conference USA game

MIKE CAUDILL/FREELANCE FILE Old Dominion head coach Jeff Jones, center, talks with his team during a timeout at Chartway Arena on Jan. 20. The Monarchs return three starters, including leading scorer Malik Curry.