WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[whitecaylxx]

   7:00 PM  Bridgewater   Lynchburg     
   7:00 PM  Emory & Henry   Hollins     
   7:00 PM  Guilford   Randolph     
   7:00 PM  Washington & Lee   Eastern Mennonite

My picks:

Bridgewater - I'm keeping the faith.

Emory & Henry

Guilford - though Randolph usually gets someone unexpected

Washington & Lee - they have been playing well the last couple games and EMU has 3 injuries / illnesses

Come on people - represent your team or thoughts.  This board is getting too boring to participate on anymore.

[Bammer]

Picking Lynchburg, E&H, Randolph and the Generals.  Sorry to hear about the injuries/illness at Eastern Mennonite.  Looking forward to seeing the youngsters from W&L and see if they will show consistency.

[hoopstermom]

My picks:
Lynchburg
Emory & Henry
Guilford
EMU - even with illness and injuries.  It just seems when anyone has started to make a run, they can't seem to hold on to success, e.g. RMC dropping two games early unexpectedly, Roanoke dropping two this past weekend then VWC losing their first ODAC game this weekend too.

[hoopstermom]

Well W&L wins 71-69 on a last second 3 pointer!  I can't even pick the right team when I make my picks 45 minutes after start of the game.

Guilford over Randolph 72-64.

Anyone else have other scores?

[dukeofargyle]

Yep!, sorry, Hoopstermom - about your wrong pick on this one...

EMU is such a tough draw on any floor. Even so, W&L takes EMU on a hostile court at Yoder Arena in Harrisonburg, 71-69.  Ridenhour hits a triple with 2 seconds left to go to win.

Even with a rebound deficit of 24-38, all props have to be given to the young guns of W&L: Sophomore Long stepped up & had a critical late 3 right before Ridenhour hit her final game winning 3. Sophomore Herman had a career high with 20 points, 8 RBs with 10 for 12 FG; freshmen Ingram double teamed but still chipped in 15 points, while Bolton had 14 points and an amazing 11 assists. And as always, Nadeau was steady as a rock.

Amazing game; just great basketball. Folks, looks like these youngsters can run with the big dogs!

[hoopstermom]

Bridgewater big over Lynchburg 79-57.   

I give up with picks and will stick to listening and watching good basketball because that's what we're getting this year.  I LOVE the balance and equity among the ranks.  Keeps you guessing and on your toes.

[whitecaylxx]

How about those Eagles?  I think they finally have it coming together.  Great job Long for Washington and Lee and also a clutch 3 pointer for Rodenhour.   Don't give up predicting Hoopster mom - it makes it fun for all of us.

[Bammer]

How do you think W&L will do the rest of the season?  Is this just a hot streak or the start of a really good season?  I believe that they are competitive with anyone in the league.  The chemistry is great.  They need to avoid injuries and foul trouble since they are short on bodies.  Since this is the first year that I have followed the ODAC, I am impressed with how many teams are evenly matched, no super team at this stage that is head and shoulders better than the rest.

[dukeofargyle]

Whoa. Looks like you're right, Bammer.

Just checked that box score. EMU ran 11 girls into the contest while W&L had only 7 players contribute. Looks like they may have had it backwards about the illness & injuries being on the Royals squad. The Royals sure seem to have been healthier, by the numbers of the bench they were able to send out, as most of them had contributions to the game.

Congrats to Coach King for great use of her talent in a really tight contest & giving her 7 players enough strategic breaks to ensure the win.

[whitecaylxx]

EMU has 2 key players (1 starter and one reserve )with ligament damage and 1 starter with an ongoing illness.  Washington and Lee has more than 7 players but they don't seem to get to play - ??  Nevertheless, another good win for the Generals team.  The race to the top seems wide open.

[dukeofargyle]

Harper & Camp have injuries for W&L, and there may be illnesses in the rest of the bench. It's that time of year.

Here's hoping all the ODAC players recover and/or stay healthy in coming weeks.

[generalee]

Did you W & L watchers notice that the girls only had 11 turnovers and they had 22 assists?  That's like some kind of record.  Keep up the good work freshmen.  Washington and Lee versus Roanoke seems to be the next big game in the ODAC. 

[Bammer]

This Generals team has exceeded expectations as per the preseason poll.  Herman has been such a force.  She is such a smart player and has made great progress on not picking up silly fouls.  She has the chance to be the best true center in the ODAC this year.  The seniors are leading this team with their leadership and consistent play.  Kara plays so hard and smart every game.  Bethany has handled the press well and comes through in the clutch.  The freshman have been really impressive with their confidence and how well they have blended in tothe team.  Ingram is second in the league in scoring and shows such great hustle, not bad for a freshman.  She plays a lot of minutes but never slacks off.  Notice the blocks she has hustled back and gotten this year.  Bolton will be a force in this league for years.  She will do it all, rebound, score, assists and solid defense.  Look for a few bumps in the road but they could really surprise people come tournament time.

[hoopstermom]

OK I'll go first this time, my picks in bold for tonight's games as well as tomorrow's. 
I'm not holding my breath though, based on my prior record, I am easily reminded why I don't gamble for money.


Hollins at Bridgewater

Emory & Henry at Virginia Wesleyan

Roanoke at Washington & Lee (OK, I picked W&L this time, I hope I don't jinx them)

Guilford at Randolph-Macon

Randolph at Lynchburg

Saturday:
Lynchburg at Hollins

Washington & Lee at Bridgewater

Emory & Henry at Randolph-Macon

Eastern Mennonite at Roanoke

Guilford at Virginia Wesleyan

[whitecaylxx]

Jan. 16
   7:00 PM  Roanoke   Washington & Lee     
   7:00 PM  Emory & Henry   Virginia Wesleyan     
   7:00 PM  Hollins   Bridgewater     
   7:00 PM  Guilford   Randolph-Macon     
   7:00 PM  Randolph   Lynchburg

Only big game Friday is this one - Roanoke has had only one quality win, so I go with Washington & Lee

Virginia Wesleyan
Bridgewater
RMC
Lynchburg   
 
Jan. 17
   2:00 PM  Lynchburg   Hollins     
   3:00 PM  Washington & Lee   Bridgewater     
   4:00 PM  Eastern Mennonite   Roanoke     
   4:00 PM  Guilford   Virginia Wesleyan     
   4:00 PM  Emory & Henry   Randolph-Macon 

Lynchburg
Bridgewater over W & L - W & L might have more to work with, but it's Jean Willi's house and I'm betting on her.  Dicey game, though.
EMU - but this is a toss up for me.
VWC - even though they showed their vulnerability
RMC