The stage is set for a compelling Sun Belt Conference showdown as the Old Dominion Monarchs host the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, with the action broadcast live on ESPN+. While both teams have endured challenging seasons, the matchup carries added weight—not only for its implications in the standings but also as it marks the final home basketball game that legendary journalist Harry Minium will cover before his retirement.
Old Dominion enters the contest with a 9-18 overall record and a 5-9 mark in conference play. The Monarchs are looking to build on their recent momentum, having just secured a resounding 78-55 victory over Georgia State. In that game, senior Ketron Shaw was simply unstoppable, pouring in 28 points on a red-hot 72.22% shooting while grabbing seven rebounds. Caelum Swanton-Rodger also made his presence felt with a double-double—17 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, shooting an impressive 71.43% from the field.
Louisiana, meanwhile, comes to Norfolk with a 9-17 record overall and a 6-7 Sun Belt tally. The Ragin' Cajuns are eager to bounce back after a narrow 69-65 home loss to Coastal Carolina. Their backcourt duo of Jaxon Olvera and Dorian Finister each posted 19 points in the defeat, with Olvera adding two steals and Finister chipping in seven rebounds. The team’s recent form has been encouraging, with four wins in their last five games, signaling that they’re not to be underestimated despite a slow start to the season.
Betting odds as of Monday afternoon have Old Dominion favored by 5.5 points, with a moneyline of -250 (Louisiana is +200), and the total points line set at 136.5. According to predictive models, the Monarchs have a 73.0% chance of victory and a 58.8% probability of covering the spread. These numbers reflect not only home-court advantage but also the Monarchs’ recent trend of exceeding expectations against the spread—they’ve covered in nine of their last 11 outings.
On the flip side, Louisiana has shown some resilience on the road, covering the spread in five of their last six away games. The Ragin’ Cajuns have also hit the moneyline in five of their last seven contests, suggesting they’re capable of springing surprises. However, their offense has struggled throughout the season, averaging just 62.5 points per game—the lowest among all Sun Belt teams. They also rank near the bottom nationally in offensive efficiency, with head coach Quannas White’s squad generating most of their points in the half-court and at a deliberate pace.
Dorian Finister, a 6-foot-5 junior guard in his first season at Louisiana after stops at Sam Houston and Kansas State, is the Ragin’ Cajuns’ primary scoring threat, averaging over 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game. Olvera, a sophomore guard who transferred from Pepperdine, adds over 11 points per contest, though his shooting efficiency has been a concern at just 36% from the floor. Still, their leadership has been crucial in Louisiana’s recent uptick in form.
Defensively, Louisiana is slightly above average, allowing about 69 points per game and ranking 230th in defensive efficiency per KenPom. One of their statistical strengths is limiting opponents’ three-point shooting—they allowed just 4.9 made threes per game last season, tied for second-best among Division 1 teams. On the boards, though, the Cajuns have struggled, averaging just 20 defensive rebounds per game, the lowest in the Sun Belt.
Old Dominion, under head coach Mike Jones, prefers a faster tempo and has been more productive offensively, averaging over 74 points per game. Shaw’s standout senior campaign—nearly 17 points and four rebounds per game—has been complemented by the steady play of fellow guard LJ Thomas, who contributes over 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists per contest. Despite these bright spots, the Monarchs have battled inconsistency and turnovers, ranking 259th in offensive efficiency and posting a negative scoring margin of -3.5 points per game.
Defensively, Old Dominion has struggled to contain opponents, allowing nearly 79 points per game and ranking outside the top 250 nationally in defensive efficiency. Their ability to force turnovers is also below average, with just 9.8 forced per game, tied for 30th lowest in Division 1. That said, the Monarchs have shown flashes of potential, particularly when their backcourt is clicking and they’re able to dictate the pace on their home floor.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Monday’s contest takes on extra significance for the Old Dominion community as it marks the final home basketball game covered by Harry Minium, the Monarchs’ Senior Executive Writer. Minium’s nearly 50-year journalism career has left an indelible mark on the Hampton Roads sports scene. With over three decades at the Virginian-Pilot, he chronicled everything from ODU’s thrilling FCS playoff runs to their transition to FBS and Conference USA. His coverage of the Monarchs’ 2016 football team, culminating in a 10-3 season and a Popeyes Bahamas Bowl victory, remains a highlight for local fans.
"Harry has been a great asset for Old Dominion athletics over the years," said Eric Bohannon, ODU Senior Associate AD for Broadcasting and Communications. "Harry has always done a great job of making whomever he is interviewing feel comfortable and them knowing Harry would do his absolute best at telling their story. Harry has always done a great job at telling a story."
Minium’s accolades include dozens of writing awards and a recent induction into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. While he plans to continue writing features and occasional game recaps until his retirement on June 30, he’ll soon relocate to Germany to be with his wife, Kerstin Baessler. Tonight’s game, therefore, is both a basketball contest and a celebration of a storied career that has shaped the region’s sports narrative for generations.
As the Monarchs and Ragin’ Cajuns prepare to tip off, all eyes will be on Chartway Arena—not just for the on-court action, but also to honor a journalist whose words have brought Old Dominion’s triumphs and heartbreaks to life. With both teams desperate for a late-season boost and a beloved writer penning his final home recap, Monday’s matchup promises drama, emotion, and plenty of storylines to savor as the Sun Belt season heads toward its climax.