WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[2RMCFans]

Belated CONGRATULATIONS to the Generals for the tournament trophy.  We saw the last 15 minutes of the game and we didn't see any underperformance from anyone!

Congrats also to Roanoke on getting a Pool C bid. 

Wishing both these ODAC teams the very best for the NCAAs and glad they don't have to travel out of state, although still a hike!

Travel safely and GO ODAC!!!!

[Bammer]

Well the match-up was the same when they beat W & L twice.  So I don't agree that Virginia Wesleyan just wasn't as qualified as Washington and Lee.  I do agree that a team is often a reflection of it's coach.  Sometimes, however, the players just take it upon themselves to play ball - in spite of the coach.  We will see how Roanoke and Washington and Lee fare in the NCAA tournament.  I wish them the best!

Most coaches would take players that "just take it upon themselves to play ball - in spite of the coach" and let them reside at the end of the bench.

[whitecaylxx]

I would agree, but it doesn't always happen!

[wmjofva]

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Losing in the ODAC tournament may not be as bad for Roanoke as one would think.  Playing MdDaniel College who upset #22 Muhlenberg in their conference tournament title game, when Muhlenburg shot 1-24 from the 3 pt range (yes they are a 'mad bomber offense')  may allow them to match up very well against this team.

W&L has a much harder first game...HOME TEAM...undefeated, ranked.  They played up tempo defense against RM to get quick shots from RM and then played full possessions using the full 30 seconds if needed,  RM went to zone in 2nd half to protect Molly and Schweers went wild. too bad it's not on a neutral court.

Let's hope ODAC does well! I always like teams that beat me to go forward and show they are good teams.

[whitecaylxx]

I agree, it seems the ODAC winner got the tougher drawer.  We will see how it goes...

[2RMCFans]

BIG congratulations to Molly Ariail, a Jostens Trophy Finalist!  Way to go, Molly, the whole R-MC family is so proud of you. 

Thank you for all your hard work and commitment during the past 4 years; you will be greatly missed when you graduate!

GO JACKETS!

[hoopstermom]

Congratulations to Molly Ariail of RMC for being selected as a Josten's Finalist.  

This is 3rd RMC finalist in the past 5 years!!!  
Amanda Hiltunen was a finalist last year and  Megan Silva brought home the award in '06.

What an honor for Molly as well as a great reflection on the school.

[dukeofargyle]

"Much of Molly's and R-MC's achievements will depend on success of new players and existing players stepping up to fill big shoes vacated by Hiltunen and Riesbeck."

RMC still has a lot of talent, but the combination of these top 3 players in the RMC program in the past few years produced a dynamic that was amazing. In my experience, that chemistry will be hard to reproduce, but RMC still has a very strong squad that should go far this season.

EMU also has reloaded very successfully. Kevin Griffin gets well-deserved props on his recruiting. Roanoke could dominate again this year with their impressive recruits also, but I - for one, am hoping for a year of some more surprises. Wouldn't it be nice to see Hollins win against some strong competition?

Best of luck to everyone this season.

The ODAC is very proud to have Molly represent them again for Jostens this year. Her nomination is a true honor.

Both teams and players did us all proud this year... and MAN! ...guess I was prophetic. This WAS the year of surprises! The ODAC has had a lot of great players and press this year. Much more parity in the conference, which always makes for great hoops.

And WOW - 2 ODAC teams makin' to it to the big dance.

AWESOME.

[donho]

 FYI,  your r-mc mens assistant coach Jon-David Byers won the award in 2005.

  Good luck to Molly!

[Brookland]

OK, fellow ODAC boarders and amateur basketball strategists - what does W&L (or maybe Roanoke) need to do to get past 28-0 Christopher Newport and POY Chelsie Schweers? Just to recap some highlights of her year so far:
24.9 pts/game, 8 games over 33 points (including one at 40), shot .530 overall and .487 from 3 pt range. Also had 64 assists and 79 steals, along with 4.7 reb/game (not too bad for a 5'7 shooting guard). Fast, quick, deadly jump shooter who only needs a momentary open look to get her shot off. Can hit the open teammate when defense collapses on her.
The rest of the team: two other players averaging double figures, 7 other players with FG% .412 or better. Lots of team speed. Offense features rapid tempo highlighted by lots of screens (including double and even triple screens) to get Schweers the open look.
Ideas, anyone?  

[RVAHokie]

It's a tall task for anyone that plays them.  I would suggest making them defend for the full shot clock, and rebound like it's your job.  The Generals better shoot well and not have sloppy turnovers.  The Generals played them close at the beginning of the season, W&L has certainly improved since then, I'm sure CNU has too.  I'm sure they will give them a great game.

If Roanoke gets a shot at CNU - they need the bigs to be huge!

I haven't seen CNU play this year so I may be out in left field (or those seats at the Carrier Dome that are about a mile from the basketball court....)

[Bammer]

I believe there are several keys to the game for the Generals against CNU.  Keep the turnovers down, don't get in foul trouble and put CNU on the line, and use their advantage in the paint.  This is similar to the VWC game.  In the second half the ball went inside, turnovers down, better defense.  Herman and Bolton need to do damage inside.  Ingram and Pfannenstein take and make good shots and Long takes care of the ball.  It will be a tough game having to play at CNU.  I expect a good crowd.  This said, I believe that this is not that bad a draw.  The Generals played at CNU early in the season.  They know what to expect.  Trying to be objective and not a General's fan, I give a slight edge to CNU because it is in their home gym.  Don't be surprised if the Generals advance though.  I expect them to be in the Sweet 16.

[dukeofargyle]

So you want to shut down Chelsea Schweers? Coaches know the odds of any given circumstance, so when a team is as 'unbalanced' in its offensive production as CNU, you must play the percentages, and Schweers is that percentage. Schweers is a 5'7 guard who is a great outside shooter, play maker, assist guard, and can even play a little defense.

When you are up against a team with one star offensive player and four solid teammates, defense wins championships. This will take a huge amount of work on both the inside and outside, but the Gennies are real capable of this type of output. Out-rebounding CNU, boxing out to stop them from second chance offensive rebounds and shutting down Schweers is the key. If I were the W&L coach, I would hit CNU with a box and 1 with two specific players constantly rotating on Schweers. These would be Pfannenstein and Wilson. These young ladies are great defenders. Pfannenstein is a very tall, physical defender with a huge amount of grit who could alter Schweers' shot just by having a hand in her face. Wilson is the more compact and powerfully built enthusiastic freshman who is also a physical player who can lean a body into Schweers while Pfannenstein takes a breather. This would not only disrupt Schweers' shooting in her "comfort zone", but it will be a great obstacle to her passing off assists, and will also tire her out in playing the defense she is used to. Whereas usually Schweers offensive output seems to be 100%, someone else on CNU will have to step up to pick up the expected downturn in Schweers offensive production and that percentage is a 50-50 proposition. Force them to play offense with their less acclaimed players.

The box will also give more protection to Herman from fouls, give Ingram and Bolton time to extend their minutes by resting and force someone other than Schweers to pick up the burden from the outside, since a zone in theory cuts off the inner passing lanes and forces a team to shoot from the outside. This game basically could be turned into a 4 on 4 contest, but without Schweers. This leaves W&L with its top 3 scorers, top 3 re-bounders and hot 3 point shooters and the steady presence of floor General Allie Long who has been on a three point tear as of late to contend with 4 CNU players who collectively only score 60% of the CNU points now. All the pressure in theory then will fall onto their shooting guard, and their 5 foot plus forward/guards who will be forced into the spot light. Yes, maybe one or more CNU players will step up to the challenge and carry the load to a win. Maybe Schweers will still get her points and CNU will remain undefeated, but the point is that circumstances call for some 'outside the box' thinking....or in this case,  'playing the percentages' with a box and 1.

[wmjofva]

How I would prepare.

1.   Look at tapes of 11/21/2009 game at CN, W &L was 55-53 at 5:30, 10 unanswered pts (only one lay up by schweers) and 2:44 65-53..why didn't I score?
2.   Obtain tape of 2/14/2010 Ferrum College lost 86-80 in OT at CN.  What was Ferrum doing?
3.   Plan box  & 1, man to man (with hedge help on screens)  Randolph Macon used Maggie on straight man to man with some help and Maggie held her to two foul shots in first half, BUT the score was still tied at half.  But the big issue M Arial had two fouls with 4:41 to go in first half and then got 3rd with just 18 seconds into the 2nd half, RM went zone and once the scorer got off, she got off big.
4.   This is W & L greatest  concern.  You are not deep, most of your starters play 30 mins per game, the local refs will not allow the bump and grind (esp against Schweers)  At the end of every game I have watched near end of season, your very good players were staggering, running on fumes BUT running hard!
5.   Change defenses, box out rebound and hope you get some neutral refs.

[Brookland]

Great discussion! I'm beginning to suspect you're not all amateurs...
A lot of great points here! I agree that defense will be key. The bad news is that I strongly suspect that the box and 1 has been tried, and that Coach Hunter already has a scheme for how to spring Schweers free off of those double screens against it. Also, one or more of those screeners will roll to the basket as Schweers comes around the screen, and she will dish if you take away her shot.
My own take: If you wait until she has the ball to play defense, I think she will kill you. She can shoot with a hand closer to her face than most players I have seen, and her decision making and shot release are very fast. If she has a weakness, it is that she is not very physical - I don't think she likes contact. So, whether in box and 1 or man, someone needs to be close enough to breath on her when she doesn't have the ball, with a hand up between her and the ball at all times. I'd give them help but have them fight through the screens, rather than plan to switch off. And I would bump her on every cut she makes (and hope the refs don't decide to protect her...). Of course, doing all of that will take exceptional defenders.
If W&L can keep Schweers below 15 points (her season low) without freeing Moore and Hopkins for easy shots, I think they have a chance...