WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[whitecaylxx]

I think you put a little too much oomph in my words.  I have congratulated the Generals when they have had big wins,  and there have been some good ones this year.  I felt that you implied their youth cost them the game and I did not agree.  As you have said in the past - you often can't discern a post's intent.  If you look at the last line of my post it says "There is a lot of future potential on this team, and I do wish them the best."  As for the men's game - I was cheering for them - a double-overtime win from an eighth seeded team is pretty amazing and shows true grit.

Now - predictions?

Feb. 28      

1:00 PM      Bridgewater           Roanoke              
   
   

3:00 PM    Randolph-Macon    Virginia Wesleyan


I'm sticking with Cinderella on the first game, even though I know my luck could be about to run out.  The head to head battle between Willi and Dunagan should be fun!

In the second game I think RMC's seniors and Arial can pull it out, but I don't think VWC has not shown us all she has going for her this year.

Anyone else?

[dukeofargyle]

"I felt that you implied their youth cost them the game and I did not agree."

Let me clarify that absolutely their youth did NOT cost the Gennies the quarterfinal game. Bolton had a great game and the other two younger players contributed their fair share also.  IMO, the lack of points from the bench in that game hurt the Gennies the most.  The Eagles have a deep & talented bench & 34 bench points from the Eagles vs. 1 from the Gennies bench was an undeniable killer.

The Generals men take on the Eagles today at 6:00. This team has shown undeniable heart & a scrappy defense; even though Guilford outrebounded them 52-38, they still found a way to pull out the W.  Goodman's leadership and points throughout the quarterfinal shows the mettle of true fighters.

If they can curb Trawick's offensive output, my money is on the Generals.

[Jeremybozz]

 Congrats to BC and RMC for advancing to the finals. Can BC pull it off again?

[dukeofargyle]

Amazing-- THEY DID IT. 8th seed Generals men put away Bridgewater by 10 points.

W&L men go to the final game tomorrow at 3:30 to play for the ODAC Championship.
Congratulations!

Title Pick: RMC Women over BC for the championship. Just too much firepower on the Yellow Jackets.

[dukeofargyle]

RMC over BC by 4 points. Close game - great hustle by Eagles; game tied back and forth throughout  2nd quarter.

Congratulations go out to the Yellow Jackets, 2009 ODAC Conference Champions & best of luck at NCAA playoffs~

[whitecaylxx]

I find it very odd that Jordan Burkholder didn't make the all-tournament team.  Nonetheless - a great finals game, and the Eagles and the Yellow Jackets should be proud.  As for the men's game - the Generals inability to shoot free throws cost them the game.  What a shame!  Good luck Yellow Jackets as you advance.

[Jeremybozz]

 Congrats to RMC on winning the ODAC this year and good luck in the NCAA's.
To the BC Seniors,especially Jenn and Becca, you have accomplished so much in your 4 years and we are very proud of you. That Sweet 16 run was so much fun as were the ODAC tourney runs last year and this year. Be proud and hold your heads up high.

[eaglejacket1421]

First things first - CONGRATULATIONS TO RANDOLPH-MACON FOR TAKING THE TITLE. Very talented team, and I truly think that having them advancing to the NCAA tournament was the best thing to happen for the ODAC. I know that the jackets were shaking in their boots, watching a 13 point lead fade to 4 in just 45 seconds! I believe my "hyperbole" came just about true... well... as true as I predicted it right before the tournament:

Prediction Time!!!

#1 Roanoke vs. #8 Lynchburg – 1:00 p.m.
Roanoke will be looking to make an early statement. After dropping the unexpected game to W&L Coach Dunnigan realizes what her opponents' mentality could quite possibly be.

#4 Bridgewater vs. #5 Washington and Lee – 3:00 p.m.
I think I've said enough about both of these teams to publish a short story.

#2 Randolph-Macon vs. #7 Eastern Mennonite – 6:00 p.m.
It's Amanda Hiltunen and Lindsey Riesbeck's senior season. I doubt they'll let it slip away against the Royals. (With that said, they can NOT look over this team. If EMU somehow find a way to play the way they were at the beginning of the year - this could be trouble.)

#3 Virginia Wesleyan vs. #6 Guilford – 8:00 p.m.
I generally HATE picking all of the top seeds, but I don't see Guilford pulling off the miracle twice.

Second Round Matchups with these winners:

Roanoke vs. Bridgewater
Roanoke has won this battle twice already this season. Beating a team three times is one of the most difficult tasks in basketball.

Randolph-Macon vs. Virginia Wesleyan
What very well could have been the title game last year. This'll be a fun one to watch.

Finals:

Randolph-Macon vs. Bridgewater
RMC out for revenge from last year and they will have it. This team deserves the NCAA bid. The ODAC needs this team to grab it b/c they have the best chance to do something with it. So much talent and the last real shot for RMC to do something at the national scale for a couple of years.

Now the only thing to look forward to is RMC representing the ODAC in the Big Dance, and I couldn't want another team to get the nod to represent this conference. Best of luck Jackets.

[2RMCFans]

Does anyone know what time R-MC will play Thomas More at Messiah on Friday night? 

Way to go Jackets!!!  We hope everyone got home safely from Salem... what a storm!

[bbald eagle]

Messiah will host First and Second Round competition this weekend, facing off against Eastern Connecticut State University (Willimantic, Conn.) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Thomas More College (Crestview Hills, Ky.) will play Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, Va.) Friday at 5:30 p.m., comprising the other half of the four-team bracket. The winners of Friday's games will then meet Saturday night at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to the "Sweet 16."

http://www.messiah.edu/athletics/sports/womens_basketball/articles/0809/mar-2.html

[2RMCFans]

Thanks for the information on game times in PA!

GO JACKETS!!!!

[hoopstermom]

Good luck to the Yellow Jackets!!  Should be a good crowd rooting for R-MC at Messiah.  Not too far for many to travel from Ashland, but just as beneficial is that Messiah is very near Molly Ariail's hometown so there should be ample opportunity for LOTS  of friends and family to cheer her on.

I'm sorry that Roanoke didn't get a bid to the tournament too though.   I think they were definitely one of the top 63 teams in the country.  I know they were in the mix, just too many conference upsets at the end that bumped them I guess.

CNU probably took a spot when they beat Greensboro in their championship game that possibly could have gone to Roanoke.   

[shsfan]

Really nice post. Thanks!

[hoopstermom]

If RMC wins (over Thomas More) will this still apply (see quote below)...meaning RMC could host a sectional!!! 

I know all the projections don't include this scenario, but hey, there are bigger upsets that have occurred and I don't see it as an impossibility that RMC could pull this off.

From the SCAC board -

If Thomas More and Oglethorpe and Hope advance, count on it being held at Thomas More, which is the only site of the three drivable from two of the others.

[hoopstermom]

For those that can't attend -

RMC v Thomas More game can be followed on live stats:
http://www.messiah.edu/athletics/sports/womens_basketball/statistics/live/xlive.htm

or through SportsJuice:
http://www.sportsjuice.com/broadcaster2.aspx?bid=NTg%3d-Zz%2bY%2b1HkwNU%3d