Old Dominion and Auburn haven't played in more than a decade and have met just five times in ODU's 44 seasons.
But when the Lady Monarchs and Tigers meet tonight at 7 at Auburn in the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament, a number of friendships will be renewed.
ODU coach Karen Barefoot and Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy are former Peninsula District high school basketball rivals - Williams-Flournoy was a senior at Phoebus High when Barefoot was a freshman at Menchville. They played AAU basketball for Boo Williams, Williams-Flourney's brother.
"When I saw the WNIT pairings, I thought we might end up playing Terri's team," Barefoot said. "We've known each other a long time. I have a lot of respect for her and what she's done with her program."
ODU forwards Shae Kelley and Odegua Oigbokie also will be reunited with friends. Kelley played at Northwest Florida State College with Auburn's Kiani Parker. Oigbokie played with Auburn guard Hassina Muhammad at Ridgeway High in Memphis, Tenn.
Friendship aside, beating Auburn would be a good win for ODU. The Tigers (18-14) played a brutal schedule that included 13 teams in postseason play.
ODU (18-15) looked anything like a postseason contender a month ago, but the Lady Monarchs have won 9 of their last 12 games.
"We're excited to be in the WNIT," said Kelley who surpassed the 1,000-point career scoring mark in last week's 68-60 first-round victory over Navy. "It's the second-best tournament. It's not the NCAA, but we still have a chance to get a ring."
Tonight's winner advances to the quarterfinals to meet the winner of the Southern Mississippi-Mississippi State contest later this week. ODU split a pair of games with Conference USA rival Southern Miss.
ODU is likely to be without point guard Galaisha Goodhope, who has a sore knee, for the second game in a row. With Ashley Betz-White out for the season, ODU has just one healthy point guard, senior Michelle Brandao, who ran the offense ably against Navy, scoring eight points and dishing out nine assists.
"Our team has been resilient," Barefoot said. "We've had to overcome a lot this season.
"Auburn plays really good defense. They put a lot of pressure on you. But we won't change too much of what we do."
Harry Minium, 757-446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com