Old Dominion vs Norfolk State prediction: Norfolk State brings back almost nobody for Old Dominion's cross-town return
Both programs rebuilt over the summer, so the rematch of last season's 60-57 game turns on which group of newcomers gels first at Echols Hall.
- Expect a feeling-out game between two remade rosters, decided by whichever new backcourt protects the ball and gets to the line.
- Old Dominion transfer Zamoku Weluche-Ume against Norfolk State's rebuilt frontcourt, led by Saint Peter's transfer Jahki Gupton.
- No spread or total has posted yet; last season's meeting finished Old Dominion 60, Norfolk State 57, a low-scoring guide.
Two rosters built from scratch
Old Dominion resumes its cross-town rivalry with Norfolk State on Wednesday night, and almost nobody who decided last year's meeting will be on the floor. The Monarchs won that game 60-57 at home a year ago. This time the game is in Norfolk State's gym, and the Spartans are close to a brand-new team.
Norfolk State returns just 7.0% of last season's minutes and 4.6% of its points. Anthony McComb III (17.1 points a game last season) and Elijah Jamison (14.6) are gone, along with starting forward Devon Ellis. Old Dominion is in better shape but still rebuilt, bringing back 29.0% of its minutes after losing KC Shaw and Jordan Battle, who combined for more than 30 points a night last season.
That makes last season's team numbers a weak guide for both sides. They describe the programs' habits, not these players.
Who Old Dominion leans on
Mike Jones enters his third season with a roster stitched from returners and transfers. The returners are shooters in limited roles: Jared Turner made 55 threes at a 38.2% clip last season, and Zacch Wiggins posted a 118.2 offensive rating (points produced per 100 possessions) off the bench. Neither carried a heavy load, so someone has to step into the shot-taking void Shaw left.
The likeliest candidate is Zamoku Weluche-Ume, who averaged 11.3 points and 7.2 rebounds at North Carolina A&T. Old Dominion also added former junior college All-American Khoi Thurmon and Jotham Nweke, a GLIAC All-Defensive forward. The Monarchs' roster is weighted taller, at 79.4 inches by minutes against Norfolk State's 77.6, which could matter on the glass.
Norfolk State's new faces
Robert Jones is still listed as the Spartans' coach, and his rotation will be mostly new to Echols Hall. Jahki Gupton arrives from Saint Peter's after averaging 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds. Bahsil Laster, from UT Arlington, took shots freely last season but shot 35.9% from the field.
The most efficient newcomer may be center J.C. Riley Jr., who posted a 120.2 offensive rating at Northwestern State in a small role. Adrean Newton, the lone returner with real minutes, hit 11 of 23 threes last season and started 24 games. Nobody here has been a featured scorer, which is the central question for the home side.
Habits that may survive the overhaul
Last season's Norfolk State identity was physical: the Spartans ranked 21st nationally in free throw rate (free throw attempts per field goal attempt) and forced turnovers on 19.7% of possessions, 49th in the country. Old Dominion's defense was exactly the type to feed that, ranking 330th in opponent free throw rate.
The flip side cut against the Spartans too. They ranked 346th in opponent free throw rate and shot 69.3% at the line themselves. If coaching staffs carry their systems forward, expect whistles and a game that bogs down, much like last year's 60-57 finish.
The schedule-adjusted ratings from last season favored Old Dominion, 248th in adjusted net efficiency (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents) against Norfolk State's 315th. Preseason voters split on the two: Old Dominion was picked 11th in the Sun Belt, while Norfolk State was picked third in the MEAC.
What to watch
- Early possession battle: a new Old Dominion backcourt against a program that pressured the ball last season.
- Weluche-Ume's touches: the clearest high-usage player on either roster.
- Free throw volume: both teams' coaches built foul-heavy profiles last season.
- Tip time: listed as 7:00 PM ET, though one conference schedule shows an earlier start.
Key players
- Zamoku Weluche-Ume (Old Dominion): Averaged 11.3 points and 7.2 rebounds at North Carolina A&T last season.
- Jared Turner (Old Dominion): Made 55 threes at 38.2% last season in 20.9 minutes a game.
- Zacch Wiggins (Old Dominion): Posted a 118.2 offensive rating last season while averaging 6.1 points.
- Jahki Gupton (Norfolk State): Averaged 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds at Saint Peter's last season.
- Bahsil Laster (Norfolk State): Scored 7.3 points a game at UT Arlington last season but shot 35.9% from the field.
- J.C. Riley Jr. (Norfolk State): Posted a 120.2 offensive rating at Northwestern State last season in 11.0 minutes a game.
- Adrean Newton (Norfolk State): Hit 11 of 23 threes last season and made 24 starts.
Numbers that matter
| Norfolk State returning minutes | 7.0% | The Spartans are effectively a new team, making last season's numbers a loose guide. |
|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion returning minutes | 29.0% | More continuity than the hosts, but the top scorers from last season are gone. |
| Norfolk State free throw rate, last season | 42.4% | Ranked 21st nationally, against an Old Dominion defense that ranked 330th in opponent free throw rate. |
| Last meeting | Old Dominion 60, Norfolk State 57 | A grinding, low-scoring game at Old Dominion last November. |
Old Dominion vs Norfolk State: quick answers
When is Old Dominion vs Norfolk State?
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.