WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Brookland]

Bammer,
Amen!
I'm also a bit surprised at the RMC first place vote given the loss of Molly Arial. Maybe someone knows something the rest of us don't?
Anyway, I think I see three story lines:
1) Who in the top three will live up to their preseason promise?
2) Who in the middle four will separate themselves from the rest?
2) Who, if any, in the bottom four (where three of the teams have new coaches and "fresh starts") will make a strong move upward?
Only time will tell! On to the season!

[BigMac]

Well, the top 3 teams in the ODAC will all be getting a test,  all 3 will be playing Mary Washington at the begining of the season.

W&L Vs 11/16, RM Vs 11/19 and Roanoke Vs. 11/20. Should be a great test for UMW also.

Those will be some really good games to go and see. One thing about the coach at UMW she always goes out and gets the best team to play against. Really helps as the season goes along

[Brookland]

BigMac,
I hadn't realized that, but you make a great point.
There is a reason why Coach Applebury has multiple COY awards to her name...

[Bammer]

Good points about the ODAC and Mary Washington.  Any predictions on how the 3 ODAC teams will fare?  I predict 1 win and 2 loses for the ODAC.  RMC will probably lose, too young and either W&L or RC will win one.  For the ODAC to get an at large bid the league needs to beat some ranked teams.  I believe that W&L win last year over a ranked Capital team played a big role in RC getting an at large bid.  RC must have learned something since their schedule this year has tougher out of league teams. 

[BigMac]

Bammer, My daughter plays for UMW and believe me they are going to be really good this year. With the older players they have and a few of the freshman they could go deep into the NCAA tournament.

Last season ended at Rochester in a overtime game. Roch ended up in the final four and UMW could have beaten them. UMW is better this season.

So my prediction Vs. the ODAC is UMW will be 3-0 when it's all over. I also believe that UMW will have to work for the "W" and if they take any of these team lightly they will lose to them.

Like I said, these will be some very good games, can not wait for the season to begin

[Bammer]

BigMac, if I remember lasts years W&L and UMW was a 2 point game with about 6 minutes to go.  You went on a little run and that was the game.  Game was in Lexington so it will be even harder to break through at your place.  W&L usually starts the season really slow but maybe this year will be different.  This is the 1 game of the 3 that I think the ODAC competes in.  I look for your guards to eat up RC.  They did lose 2 senior first team all ODAC guards.  RMC lost a lot of points and rebounds.  It will take them some time to find their identity.  This will tell me where the Generals are starting.  I have no doubt the UMW will be solid this year and would not be surprised for them to advance far. 

[Brookland]

I agree with Bammer on Roanoke and RMC. I think UMW wins those unless they don't show up ready to play.
UMW lost two starters but I don't think either will prove irreplaceable in Coach Applebury's system. They have all of their workhorses back. I have seen Jenna McRae and Katie Wimmer since high school and they can kill you, and Carole Dye, I believe, was CAC Rookie of the Year. I expect them to pick up where they left off. I am familiar with some of their freshmen from high school and AAU ball and I think their effectiveness early in the season will depend heavily on how quickly they adjust to the speed of the college game and Coach A's system in particular (she has a tendency to throw players at you in waves so you cannot rest for a moment).
Having said that, W&L brings back all five starters and their key subs. They may, as Bammer points out, start faster than in previous seasons because of it, and I think that will make them very competitive. If they lose, I'd guess it will be because UMW wears them down with those aforementioned "waves."
My bottom line: pick-em.

[dukeofargyle]

Coach Applebury is one stellar coach, there is little doubt.  Factors to consider: How will the defense fair against the Eagles? The short bench is talented but is it ready? The subs will need to make a difference each and every time they hit the floor.

The Gennies do not have a great record in opening season games, but hopefully with returning everyone and the amazing chemistry that is with any luck still on the team, the Gennies will break out of the gates at a run.  

No doubt that Becca's absence will be felt.  Who will step up? Allie Long is indefatigable at the point – unselfish, with great court vision. Herman can make - or break games; she can be; has been; virtually unstoppable. Ingram is an intense & gutsy player who will light up the scoreboard for double digits every time.  Pfannenstein is as unselfish as it comes and can and does kill you with her 3 point shot.  

Still, last year we saw the Gennies playing exhausted in the first round of NCAA's because of CN's coach sending in MANY fresh talented legs every 3 minutes from their deep and wide bench.  

In 5 minutes the moment we have been waiting on since last year will begin.......

[dukeofargyle]

54-49 W&L over MWU.  GREAT game defensively for both teams – real low scoring first half ending at W&L 18- MWU 11.  

Amazing performance from Meg Ingram, Kari Ann Pfannanstein & Rachel Warrick who lit it up for a combined 42 points. UMW's guard Rachel Martin poured in 23 points for the Eagles. Seemed like it was Martin vs. W&L in the second half!

W&L up by as much as 16 buckets at one point over the Eagles - the 17th ranked team in the country.  Held the Eagles to 36% shooting...Gennies also had a 19 of 20 performance from the charity stripe. All this with Bolton absent attending Duke and Herman ailing from a knee injury!

Kudos to all the young ladies- way to go in first one out of the gate!

[Bammer]

What a team effort by the Generals.  Good short handed win on the road.  This is the type win that builds a team and a program.  Now with games between RC, RM, Ferrum and Mary Washington, we should get an early feel for how the ODAC will be early this season.

[y_jack_lok]

I was a bit surprised that R-MC beat Marymount, especially by 22, given that the Jackets graduated Molly Arial and a couple of others, and Marymount was 26-1 last season (not counting NCAA tournament game vs Scranton for which there is no score on the Marymont website -- I'm guessing they lost and finished 26-2). I did read that Marymount was short-handed (only six players saw action) for which no explanation was given. But they did seem to have their top three or four players. Still, a good win for R-MC against a team the beat Mary Washington twice last season, while the Jackets struggled against UMW.

[Brookland]

Bammer,
Good call! It looks like bringing back a championship team virtually intact has real benefits for early season play!
As I said before, I don't think the rest of the world gave W&L much respect for their accomplishments last year, with not even a mention in the preseason polls. Of course, those of us in the ODAC knew they were not a fluke, but this was an outstanding win against a ranked team anyway. It will be interesting to see if they get a mention now.
Looking at the box score, I noted that all three of the UMW players I mentioned by name in my own analysis of the matchup had bad games compared to their normal play. That now has me wondering if I have suddenly developed magical jinx powers... 

[BH2OFan]

Watched Bridgewater scrimmage Marymount over the weekend, they only had six players then- 6 or 7 did not dress with at least 3 on crutches. Tough way for the new coach to start.

[Brookland]

y_jack_lok,
Actually, Marymount made it to the Sweet 16 and finished 28-2, with their only regular-season loss to UMW, who was beaten by W&L last night, but they lost a legendary coach and a legitimate all-star (Kathleen Brown) as well as three other talented seniors. Having said that, they must really be having a shot of bad luck to only be able to suit up 6 players from a 12-person roster.
I'm sure exhaustion played a major role in at least the magnitude of the loss. But then again, R-MC is a VERY good team.

[Bammer]

BH@OF - How did Bridgewater look in their scrimmage against Marymount?