WBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

With three games in the loss category separating fourth and fifth place in the ODAC standings, here is a look at the top half with when they play one another:

1 - Virginia Wesleyan (11-2)
2 - Randolph-Macon (9-2)
3 - Bridgewater (9-3)
4 - Eastern Mennonite (8-3)

Feb. 3 - Virginia Wesleyan at Randolph-Macon
Feb. 7 - Randolph-Macon at Bridgewater
Feb. 10 - Bridgewater at Virginia Wesleyan
Feb. 13 - Eastern Mennonite at Randolph-Macon
Feb. 17 - Virginia Wesleyan at Eastern Mennonite

Here are the records of those four schools against the others in the top four:

1 - Bridgewater (3-1: 2-0 vs EMU, 1-0 vs VWC, 0-1 vs R-MC)
2 - Randolph-Macon (2-1: 1-0 vs BC, 1-0 EMU, 0-1 VWC)
3 - Virginia Wesleyan (1-2: 1-0 vs R-MC, 0-1 BC, 0-1 EMU)
4 - Eastern Mennonite (1-3: 1-0 vs VWC, 0-1 R-MC, 0-2 vs BC)

I believe BC, R-MC, and VWC control their own destiny - for the tournament's No. 1 seed - if they can win out.

Lots of ODAC left!  Should be fun!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

It sounds too simple to be true, but after looking over BC's box scores, it's the main reason I can find for the losses; shooting.

The Eagles' four worst shooting performances of the season...

26.8% in a loss against George Fox
34.3% in a loss against Washington & Lee
34.9% in a loss against Roanoke
37.7% in a loss against Randolph-Macon

So we're 12-0 when we shoot better than 38% from the floor.

And it wasn't just us shooting poorly ... it was the opponent being hot or a defensive breakdown.

Here are the top shooting performances by opponents...

48.3% in a loss against Roanoke
48.2% in a win against Eastern Mennonite
46.5% in a loss against George Fox
44.0% in a win against Washington & Lee
42.1% in a loss against Randolph-Macon
39.4% in a win against Ferrum
38.2% in a loss against Washington & Lee

So we're 9-0 when we hold opponents to under 38% shooting from the field.

I also looked at turnover and rebounding margin for each game, but there wasn't much consistency.  We're 8-2 when we turn the ball over less, and 3-2 when we turn it over more.  We're 8-1 when we out-rebound the opponent, while being 4-3 when we don't.

[elee109]

As exciting as the ODAC is right now does anyone see any ODAC team going far in the post season?  Curious about everyone's thoughts.

[elee109]

Another question.....anyone know the status of Tori Ruckman for BC?  She was hurt in the game last night.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

As exciting as the ODAC is right now does anyone see any ODAC team going far in the post season?  Curious about everyone's thoughts.

I think R-MC and BC have shown the last couple years, that if an ODAC team can get hot at the right time, we have the coaching and talent to do some postseason damage.

So yes, I think if BC, R-MC, and/or VWC make the big dance, any one of those teams can make some noise.  Great coaching putting their talented players in a position to win will always give you a chance.

[waterlucy]

Dear GAVA - do you mean that because RMC's Morgan only scored 1 point in 37 minutes that she must not be very valuable to her team?  Obviously, she did her job and RMC reaped the benefits. 

[odacfan99]

I was at the BC-RMC game last night.  Anyone can say what they will about Morgan's lack of scoring but the job she did on Katie H-L was masterful!  KHL was 2-10 from the field and scored only once when #4 was guarding her.  Her defensive contribution was as valuable as Hiltunen and Riesbeck's offensive fire power - in a 5 point game, an average defensive effort against KHL could made a 6 point difference and a different outcome!  Keep up the pressure Kristen!!

[valleybballfan]

I was at the BC-RMC game last night.  Anyone can say what they will about Morgan's lack of scoring but the job she did on Katie H-L was masterful!  KHL was 2-10 from the field and scored only once when #4 was guarding her.  Her defensive contribution was as valuable as Hiltunen and Riesbeck's offensive fire power - in a 5 point game, an average defensive effort against KHL could made a 6 point difference and a different outcome!  Keep up the pressure Kristen!!

Yes, Katy Herr Lovell did not shoot the ball well, but she got past by Morgan many times to make nice passes to open teammates who did not finish. She should have had a lot more assists. Katy has been in a shooting slump for several games, I am not sure Morgan is to credit for another game of poor shooting. Morgan is a good defender, but that's it, and she certainly isn't a shooter, which is fine for a player. I think Morgan is a steady factor for this team, but one that would not be missed if she weren't on the court. I think Hilluten, Reisbeck, and Arial are the top threats for RMC from what I've read and what I've seen.

[hoopstermom]

I guess a bad shooting night has nothing to do with the defense your facing.

If you're beating someone on defense so often why are you dishing off to someone else who not shooting well?

KHL is a VERY good player but Morgan's defense definitely affected her game last night. 

[GAVA]

Dear GAVA - do you mean that because RMC's Morgan only scored 1 point in 37 minutes that she must not be very valuable to her team?  Obviously, she did her job and RMC reaped the benefits. 

Obviously RMC feels she an asset or she wouldn't be starting point guard. She is a good ball handler and defensive player, but she is not a scorer.  Being she is a senior and she waited behind Silva for the point guard position I doubt she would be replaced.

[waterlucy]

Valleybballfan and GAVA - I really don't think a coach of RMC's caliber is going to play Morgan an average of 29 minutes a night just because she's a senior.  From her stats (except for the almighty scoring stat) she seems like a very good player - one who would be missed.  Sounds like you all have some personal issues with Morgan. 

[valleybballfan]

I never once said anything bad about Morgan, in fact if you read my posts you can see I said she was a good defender and a steady player for RMC. Maybe I said she wouldn't be missed, but I stand by that not because I have a problem with her, but simply because I think RMC has several very talented players who would pick up the slack no problem. I see RMC being the team to beat next year, without Morgan. All I really pointed out was my observation from the RMC vs. BC game the other night. People said what an amazing job Morgan did on Herr Lovell, and I pointed out my take on the game. Herr Lovell struggled shooting, but she has struggled shooting for several games now, so I don't solely give Morgan credit for bad shooting. I said Herr Lovell did a good job penetrating and getting past Morgan, but still pointed out that Morgan is a good defender.

Someone asked why if her teammate's were struggling did Herr Lovell pass the ball off? Because that is what she does, that is what a point guard does, that is why she is leading the ODAC in assists. Just because your teammates have missed a few open looks does not mean you start shooting every time instead of passing the ball.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Ahhhh, R-MC beats BC and here come the Jacket fans.  I love it!

Admittedly, Herr Lovell was 2-for-10 from the floor against R-MC.  But let's not get too excited.  First off, she's a pass-first, shoot-second point guard.  Secondly, she has always averaged fewer than 10 shots a game for her career.  And lastly, she is a career 38-percent shooter from the field ... so having a 2-for-10 performance once in awhile isn't out of the ordinary.

Other than that, the reason she had a nine-point, three-turnover game against the Jackets on Tuesday was probably the team defense by R-MC, not just Morgan.

So ... will you Jacket fans be sticking around?

[Jacketlawyer]

Ahhhh, R-MC beats BC and here come the Jacket fans.  I love it!

Admittedly, Herr Lovell was 2-for-10 from the floor against R-MC.  But let's not get too excited.  First off, she's a pass-first, shoot-second point guard.  Secondly, she has always averaged fewer than 10 shots a game for her career.  And lastly, she is a career 38-percent shooter from the field ... so having a 2-for-10 performance once in awhile isn't out of the ordinary.

Other than that, the reason she had a nine-point, three-turnover game against the Jackets on Tuesday was probably the team defense by R-MC, not just Morgan.

So ... will you Jacket fans be sticking around?

Way to throw down the gauntlet, Kid!  I like being called out.

Haven't posted on this board this year, but read it every day.  Hopefully some of my R-M bretheren will stick around.  I love it!! 8)

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Ahhhh, R-MC beats BC and here come the Jacket fans.  I love it!

Admittedly, Herr Lovell was 2-for-10 from the floor against R-MC.  But let's not get too excited.  First off, she's a pass-first, shoot-second point guard.  Secondly, she has always averaged fewer than 10 shots a game for her career.  And lastly, she is a career 38-percent shooter from the field ... so having a 2-for-10 performance once in awhile isn't out of the ordinary.

Other than that, the reason she had a nine-point, three-turnover game against the Jackets on Tuesday was probably the team defense by R-MC, not just Morgan.

So ... will you Jacket fans be sticking around?

Way to throw down the gauntlet, Kid!  I like being called out.

Haven't posted on this board this year, but read it every day.  Hopefully some of my R-M bretheren will stick around.  I love it!! 8)

Seeing we have a history (a positive one) on the football board and at this past season's Stagg Bowl, I'm GLAD you've posted here!

I was simply calling out those Jacket fans that were all over this board last season during their dominance.  Then they crawled under a *insert something heavy* once this season began.  What kind of a fan is that?! 

Shoot, BC is on a two-game skid right now, but I'm still yappin' away like a know-it-all.