In spite of the snow falling on the Fan District, today’s match-up between Old Dominion and VCU is still expected to play out at 4 p.m. Although the game is already a sell-out, it remains to be seen how many fans will show up at the Siegel Center. After all, the tilt is going to be on cable television.

The rivalry between the Monarchs (18-6, 10-2) and the Rams (16-5, 8-4 in CAA) has been intense for a long time. VCU leads, 41-38, in the series that began in 1969.

To add a layer of fun to the story there’s the colorful relationship between VCU’s fans and ODU’s head coach Blaine Taylor (pictured above in 2009).

In years past Taylor has lodged complaints over what he’s seen as abuse from Rams fans at the Siegel Center. He clearly doesn’t like the Rams pep band. Last year a high-profile Rams fan, known to his following as Pavarotti, imitated Taylor throughout the game at the Siegel Center.

Pavarotti dressed in a coachly suit, rather than his usual Rowdy Rams yellow T-shirt. He added some theatrical gray to his hair. Then, from his regular spot — just below the band and too close to the ODU bench for Taylor’s liking — Pavarotti exaggerated/aped Taylor’s every gesture, much to the delight of the VCU faithful. To say he got Taylor’s goat is an understatement.

This year Taylor appears to have implemented a strategy to foil Pavarotti — the coach made his gray go away. That’s right folks. I saw him on TV last week and his hair has changed color — all pepper, no salt.

Can Pavarotti adjust?

Stay tuned…