WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hoopstermom]

My picks for tonight in bold.  Expect the RMC-Lynchburg game to the best of the lot.  If RMC is clicking like they were over the weekend, they should win this one though.  Guilford and E&H could be close too.

Bridgewater 7:00 PM at Roanoke

Guilford 7:00 PM at Emory & Henry

Randolph  7:00 PM at Virginia Wesleyan

Randolph-Macon 7:00 PM at Lynchburg

Hollins 7:00 PM at Washington & Lee

[bballmom4]

My picks for tonight, also, are as follows.  If Lynchburg plays hard just like they did against Roanoke, they can pull it off, but there will be no room for errors, they just need to settle in and play the game.  I thnk the Bridgewater - Roanoke will also be another game to keep an eye on.

Bridgewater at Roanoke
Guilford at Emory & Henry
Randolph at Virginia Wesleyan
Randolph-Macon at Lynchburg
Hollins at Washington & Lee

[Jeremybozz]

Roanoke 31, Bridgewater 25 Halftime

[hoopstermom]

Tonight's results:

Roanoke 60 Bridgewater 54
Guilford 71  Emory & Henry 63
Randolph Macon 76  Lynchburg 62
Washington & Lee 82  Hollins 47
Virginia Weslyan 53 Randolph 52 - two free throws with less than 2 seconds to go wins this one.  VWC significantly out-rebounded  52-35 though

[generalee]

Anyone who thinks it is easier to play DIII is pretty misinformed.  Many DIII players do all the work required but get none of the "glory."  That is why you lose so many upperclassmen in D3, and why coaches must constantly fill empty slots.  It was really nice to see that a lot of the unsung heros got to play in the Washington and Lee / Hollins game.  Great job.  Wouldn't it have been fine if Randolph had beaten VWC?  (No offense to VWC.)

[eaglejacket1421]

I don't know if "easier" to play Division III or not, but it is definitely less structured work in the off-season. Division I and II are year round, and by year round I mean even when school is not in session they work out "optionally" (we all know what that means). At the start of the season, they can get in the gym sooner and they definitely hit the weights harder. Despite all that, there are many Division III programs that run just like a DI or II school - work just as hard, just as long, and are just as dedicated to success as those programs. I think the two big factors that separate DIII from the pack is the athletic scholarship opportunities and just sheer size. The biggest and most athletic players go DI or II because they can and because there are scholarship opportunities. DIII lets kids who love the game work hard and play while also, in some cases, allows for them to do the extracurriculars like sororities or taking trips out of the country.

But back to the ODAC! The big shocker of yesterday's contests most definitely has to be the VWC extremely close win over Randolph - in Virginia Beach, no less. It sounds to me like the Marlins had a case of "play to the level of your competition"-itis. And perhaps it's just recently set on because the last time these two teams met, VWC walked away with a 21 point victory. It's much more difficult to play down AT Randolph, just because of the facilities - the players are literally playing in a box. When I saw the score I assumed that's where the game was held. But because it was at home, it leads me to believe that the Marlins had a lapse in play and played to the level of their competition - which can be a good thing if you're playing someone great, but overall not something you want to strive for. This weekend's game in Ashland will shed a lot of light on this Marlins squad - I'd put money on it that they'll be ready for that one.

[whitecaylxx]

I agree, eaglejacket, the VWC / Randolph game is a very BIG story.  Randolph always gets some team, but VWC needs to be a little concerned.  What I think might be an even bigger story is the Bridgewater / Roanoke game.  Is anyone really not going to say anything about Bridgewater's 33 TURNOVERS?  I mean, really?? 33??  Add to that - Bridgewater only lost by 6 points!

[whitecaylxx]

I got side-tracked.  I also wanted to point out that just because a player received D1 letters or had D1 coaches watching her games - does not mean the player could have gone D1.  If a scholarship was offered, that's one thing.  Otherwise - it's just "interest."

[Jeremybozz]

Congrats to the Lady Maroons. They played good defense, forcing 33 turnovers.

[bballmom4]

In addition to my last e-mail, you also have to look at the fact that many of the players in D3 (if not all) have academic scholarships...which is always nice because if you get an injury, as long as you keep your studies up....they can't take it away.

[whitecaylxx]

Jan. 23
7:00 PM  Eastern Mennonite   Randolph 
   
Jan. 24
   2:00 PM  Roanoke   Guilford     
   2:00 PM  Emory & Henry   Washington & Lee     
   2:00 PM  Virginia Wesleyan   Randolph-Macon     
   4:00 PM  Lynchburg   Eastern Mennonite 

Predictions?

[eaglejacket1421]

Jan. 23
7:00 PM  Eastern Mennonite   Randolph -- Clearly can't take Randolph lightly though, not after they nearly snuck by VWC.
   
Jan. 24
   2:00 PM  Roanoke   Guilford     - Even though it's tough to play in Guilford's gym, Roanoke has talent
   2:00 PM  Emory & Henry   Washington & Lee     - Two tough teams going head to head. Can't back the youth of W&L just yet. They win this one in decisive fashion, I'll hop on the band waggon.
   2:00 PM  Virginia Wesleyan   Randolph-Macon     -Jackets are at home, but VWC is looking to make a statement after barely squeaking by Randolph last week. If I could pick a game to go to, it would be this one.
   4:00 PM  Lynchburg   Eastern Mennonite  - It's tough to play in Hburg and the Royals don't have any real reason to fall to a team with only two really seasoned players in Darby and Dahn.

[dukeofargyle]

   2:00 PM  Emory & Henry   Washington & Lee     - Two tough teams going head to head. Can't back the youth of W&L just yet. They win this one in decisive fashion, I'll hop on the band waggon.
 

Updates at 4:30 Saturday:

EMU takes Randolph 74-59 Friday

Roanoke drops Guildford 75-65 Saturday

RMC tops VW 79-55 at their house; these 2 teams now tied for second place in the ODAC. (Point spread - WOW...!)  RMC either wanted this one alot more more or VW is ailing and didn't battle back.

Washington & Lee over Emory & Henry 78-46.

W&L had 20 steals and W&L's board warriors are back- they out-rebounded E&H 37-32.

Ingram's shot is back,  torching E&H with a spectacular 25 points, 8-13 FG, 5-7 trifectas, 2 assists, 2 steals; E&H had no answer for Herman, who had a double-double with 14 points 7-9 FG, 10 RB, 2 steals, 1 block; Long with 9 points, 2 assists, 3 steals; Nadeau - 8RB's 4 points, 3 steals; Bolton 6 points an amazing 7 assists and 2 steals; Ridenhour- 5 points, 3 assists, 3 steals.

All the Generals but one made it into the scoring column.

BTW, Welcome to the bandwagon, eaglejacket.

[hoopstermom]

Macon definitely wanted this game more than Weslyan and their play demonstrated their desire.  They played a tremendous defensive game forcing 21 turnovers and holding VWC to only about 27% shooting in the 2nd half.   Inside play was rough at both ends of the floor and Molly Arail had to work hard the whole game both offensively and defensively but she showed why she will be a leading contender for POY.

The whole team contributed to the success.  For several 4 minute periods of time, RMC had four freshmen on the floor with Hiltunen running the show.

In past games between these two teams, Tonia Jones and Andrea Ushinski were key factors to VWC's success. RMC shut them both down holding each to only 4 points in this game.

I don't know what else may be ailing VWC, but given their close game with Randolph during the week and their performance tonight, they will need to regroup and figure it out quickly if they want to hold or improve their position.

RMC's loss to W&L must have really jolted them because they have been on a tear every since having won their last 7 games by and AVERAGE margin of 30 points.  It will be interesting to see if they can sustain this momentum throughout the season and into the ODAC tourney.

As we all know, nothing is a given.

Note:
One of VWC's players was injured late in the game.  I did not catch who it was, but I hope it was not serious and she recovers quickly. 

[hoopstermom]

RMC tops VW 79-55 at their house; these 2 teams now tied for second place in the ODAC.

Actually, Roanoke and RMC are tied at 1st with 9-2 records. VWC drops to 2nd at 8-3.