Let's be honest: it's been a difficult and frustrating season so far for the Old Dominion basketball team.
The Monarchs seemed to get every break and make every shot they needed last season as they motored to 26 victories, their first Conference USA championship and their first NCAA tournament bid in eight years.
This is team is younger and less experienced and hasn't quite jelled as we expected. And the Monarchs have missed Ahmad Caver and B.J. Stith, the All-Conference USA seniors from last season, more than many thought.
There were some ugly early season losses, including a narrow home defeat against James Madison and a 63-46 loss at William and Mary, during an eight-game losing streak.