It's been more than a decade since the Old Dominion University women's basketball team hosted a truly big and meaningful game.
That changes Thursday night when Rice comes to Chartway Arena (6:30 P.M., ESPN+) with first place in Conference USA on the line.
How big is this game? Not since 2007-2008 has ODU not been a real factor in a conference race nor have the Monarchs made any noise nationally. But if the Monarchs win Thursday, they would move into first place in Conference USA lead with four games to go.
Less than two years removed from an 8-23 record in coach Nikki McCray-Penson's first season, the Monarchs are 20-3, 10-1 in Conference and have won nine in a row and are 11-0 at home this season.