Couple results from Salem the past couple days.

From yesterday:
Washington & Lee 74
Randolph-Macon 71

From today:
Hampden-Sydney 81
Washington & Lee 56

2023-24 "The Dark Era" Belt^TM Path
3/18/23: Christopher Newport
11/8/23: Hampden-Sydney
12/2/23: Guilford
12/19/23: Shenandoah
Darkness descends upon The Belt^TM World
1/3/24:  Virginia Wesleyan
1/6/24:  Ferrum
1/10/24:  Washington & Lee
1/17/24:  Roanoke
1/27/24:  Hampden-Sydney
2/3/24:  Randolph-Macon
Rejoice for we have entered The BeltTM  re-enlightenment 2/20/24
2/24/24: Washington & Lee
2/25/24: Hampden-Sydney

H-S will carry The Belt^TM into the NCAA Tournament. While most such teams have had good success once in (only twice since 2010 has the holder going in gone one-and-done), none of the prior teams in the Modern Era have proceeded to then go on to claim that other, lesser, object made of wood and metal.

One and done: '17 Bethel, 12 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, '09 Transylvania, '08 Chicago
Round of 32: '19 Nebraska Wesleyan, '18 York (PA), '07 Hampden-Sydney
Sweet 16: '23 Randolph-Macon, '20 Elmhurst*, '14 Albertus Magnus, '11 UWSP, '10 Wooster
Elite 8: '16 Alma
Final 4: '13 St. Thomas
Title Game: '22 Elmhurst, '15 Augustana
Champion: None

And once again, the team that carries The Belt^TM into the tournament does not leave with It^TM.

Trine 69
Hampden-Sydney 61

2023-24 "The Dark Era" Belt^TM Path
3/18/23: Christopher Newport
11/8/23: Hampden-Sydney
12/2/23: Guilford
12/19/23: Shenandoah
Darkness descends upon The Belt^TM World
1/3/24:  Virginia Wesleyan
1/6/24:  Ferrum
1/10/24:  Washington & Lee
1/17/24:  Roanoke
1/27/24:  Hampden-Sydney
2/3/24:  Randolph-Macon
Rejoice for we have entered The BeltTM  re-enlightenment 2/20/24
2/24/24: Washington & Lee
2/25/24: Hampden-Sydney
3/16/24: Trine

One and done: '17 Bethel, 12 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, '09 Transylvania, '08 Chicago
Round of 32: '19 Nebraska Wesleyan, '18 York (PA), '07 Hampden-Sydney
Sweet 16: '23 Randolph-Macon, '20 Elmhurst*, '14 Albertus Magnus, '11 UWSP, '10 Wooster
Elite 8: '16 Alma
Final 4: '13 St. Thomas
Title Game: '24 Hampden-Sydney, '22 Elmhurst, '15 Augustana
Champion: None

Hey, wake up, new Belt^TM games dropped.

Friday 11/8
Trine 97
UMHB 70

Saturday 11/9
Trine 78
Wabash 68

Two successful Belt^TM defenses to start the season for Trine as part of the Steve Green Classic. Their next defense opportunity will come on Friday at Baldwin Wallace.

Don't worry, still keeping track of this.

Trine is up to seven successful defenses to start the year. This includes victories over the weekend against Ohio Wesleyan and Capital. Both of these schools were Stealth Era Belt^TM holders (Ohio Wesleyan in 1988 when they won that other, lesser object made of wood and metal; and Capital in 1989), but this weekend was the first time in the Modern Era where each school hosted a game for The Belt^TM.

Movement!

UW-Stevens Point 65
Trine 62

2024-25 Belt^TM Path
3/16/24: Trine
12/7/24: UW-Stevens Point

Their first defense will come next week against Olivet.

Point plays the last four national champions during the regular season this year.  There's a decent chance the Belt is back in familiar hands at some point.

I kind of think Stevens Point is familiar hands territory. 

Quote from: sac on December 09, 2024, 08:12:31 PMI kind of think Stevens Point is familiar hands territory. 

It has been a minute, to be fair. Last time Point was blessed with The Belt^TM was the 2015-16 season following their last title.

I am eyeballing a potential Belt^TM game on 12/30 that might get It^TM back in the CCIW though.

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on December 09, 2024, 08:32:58 AMPoint plays the last four national champions during the regular season this year.  There's a decent chance the Belt is back in familiar hands at some point.

Yeah, tough road ahead. They beat one of the four over the weekend. They have their "trap game" vs Olivet this weekend...then head off to N.C. to play CNU and RMC. After Christmas they play North Park, which could be a tough game, depending on which Viking team shows up. Oshkosh, the 4th of the National Champions is a surprise team, picked 6th in the WIAC.

So much for getting another shot at a Belt^TM game this year.

Randolph-Macon 51
UW-Stevens Point 50

2024-25 Belt^TM Path
3/16/24: Trine
12/7/24: UW-Stevens Point
12/20/24: Randolph-Macon

They'll take on Stevenson a week from today.

RMC swept the Suyes Yellow Jackets Classic over the weekend, bringing them to six successful Belt^TM defenses on their home floor in the Modern Era.

While it looks like there are a handful of non-conference games left around the league, we're likely looking at The Belt^TM staying in the ODAC again, which means barring The Dream Scenario^TM we'd be looking at three more Belt^TM games at the Salem Civic Center, which would extend their record to 36 such games in that building.

Christopher-Newport plays at RMC on Jan 15

A good opportunity for The Belt^Tm to choose a different conference path

So I have been keeping track of all this still even though there's been basically no movement.

With their 80-55 win over Lynchburg this past Saturday, Randolph-Macon recorded its 11th successful Belt^TM defense at home, breaking their tie with Nebraska Wesleyan for the most in the Modern Era.

Still not a lot to update here. Randolph-Macon has had 16 consecutive defenses going into the ODAC Tournament.

Another successful defense Wednesday would be their 14th at home, extending their record for the Modern Era. Regardless of that result though, the Salem Civic Center will get two more Belt^TM games this weekend, bringing their all time high for games to 35.

We also have another year where whoever ends with The Belt^TM will also get that other, lesser, object made of wood and metal.

Disappointed that The Dream Scenario^TM will remain a mirage for yet another season, but mightily impressed by Randy-Mac's streak of Belt^TM victories.