The Monarchs registered their first winning season in five years with an impressive 17-12 overall mark. ODU also went 11-7 in league play, which was good enough for a fourth place finish in the CAA. Coach Blaine Taylor has four starters returning from last year's squad and expectations are once again high for the squad from Norfolk. The most important returning starter for the Monarchs is center Alex Loughton, who many believe will be the Conference Player of the Year this season. The former rookie of the year in 2002-03, Loughton proved last season to be one of the most versatile players in the CAA. He averaged team-highs in scoring (16.6 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg), while also converting 48.8 percent of his field goal attempts and 79.2 percent of his shots from the charity stripe. Shooting guard Isaiah Hunter is an excellent complement to Loughton, having posted 13 ppg last season on 84.4 percent shooting from the foul line. A pair of freshman could also make huge contributions this year, as forward Jason Thompson and point guard Brandon Johnson are expected to see a lot of playing time. Loughton has the ability to be one of the most dominating forces in CAA-history this season, but the play of the rest of his teammates will decide whether or not they come away with a conference title.