MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Jacketlawyer]

Hasanova--Yes, I do expect to go to that game @ Guilford, but that's not until the 29th, I believe.  I will let you know!!

The next game I'll be seeing is R-M @ H-S this coming Wednesday.

[algernon]

No player is going to be great every night, but Wansley is definitely on my First Team All-Conference for the first 5 (or is it 6?) years of the 21st century.  Without giving it any thought at all ... it's just a no-brainer.

I remember seeing him play as a freshman when he would come in to sub for Jared Mills .... As an HSC fan, that was a miserable experience: There is no respite for the Tigers when Wansley subs for Mills!

My other 2 no-thinking-about-it "21st Century All-ODAC First Teamers" are Jeff Monroe (2000-2004) and Justin Call (2000-2004).  And I'd probably have to round the team out with Jared Mills (1999-2003) and Kyle Williford (1998-2002), even though they started their careers in the dark ages of the 20th century ....   

[algernon]

Averett was picked by one of their conference coaches to finish first in their conference, but the voting of all the coaches had them finishing 3rd -- after Methodist and North Carolina Wesleyan.

Now, with no USA South Conference games yet played, Averett is 9-3, whereas Methodist is 2-8 and North Carolina Wesleyan is 2-7.

[jdubyadubya]

Algernon - are you thinkin' that a certain beach thug should also be on that team?

[eagleslam]

jttiger...

Here are the facts, without any bais whatsoever.  If you don't realize that, get a clue.

1.  Games are not played based on reputation.  They are played by the kids on the floor, not by players from the past.  I know BC will not give a crap that H-SC was in the Final Four in 2003.  And I know Coach Smith will not be thinking about it, either.

2.  You are correct in saying kids base where they go to school on reputation.  Some obviously consider it more than others.  H-SC did bring in some fine players last year.  But to say BC did not this year because of a lack of reputation is way off base on your part, not a baised opinion on my part.  Ask any coach in the league, and they will tell you Nininger is a tough place to play.  That is reputation.  I've seen a lot of teams better than the Tigers this year come to Nininger and get beat.  Granted, BC was better, but not necessarily better than the opponent they were playing, just better than they are now.  That fact builds the reputation that Coach Leatherman is a motivator and a great "X and O" coach.  BC got a lot of players that they are really high on and know the potential is there for them to be really good.  BC is one of the most reputable programs in the league based on what Coach Leatherman has done.  If you think otherwise, you have no clue.

3.  As far as who would win between 2004-05 H-SC and 2005-06 BC, it cannot be compared.  That is my professional opinion.  If you asked me at the start of the year, I'd say BC 2005-06.  They had Michael, Maupin, Butler, and Cunningham returning.  And they added Fox.  Michael is the only one in the group that could be considered a "star".  Everyone else would be considered a "roleplayer".  I hate that term because everyone has a role, but the others are not ones who would have the role of stepping up for 25.  That's a decent level of experience and a guy who got 2nd team ODAC last year against a team with very little experience.  If you're asking during this period, I'd say it is a push.  H-SC had chemistry issues at this point last year, and BC just lost some guys and now the remaining players will have to play out of position, with newer, inexperienced guys taking over for them at their old positions (Maupin to off guard, Cecil to point).  The DNR Online article that was linked will give a better explination.  At the end of the season, H-SC was good last year.  And obviously where BC is at at the end of this season is unknown as of now. 

You can think that I have bias and am not stating facts if you want.  I do have a bias, but am using facts to back it up.  Reputation is important when you recruit, but BC's is better than you are making it out to be.  They are respected throughout the league, make no mistake.  And they have a highly reputable program.  To think anything else is ridiculous. 

[bcsportswriter]

Well, I was also at the BC vs. RMC game last nite.  and although i dont want to get into an argument about Wansley, I will back ladyeagle on this one.  The past two years that Wansley has played at BC he has not impressed.  I think he had like 4 points through regulation last year or something.  Of course I have only seen him play 2 times, but in those two games he hasnt impressed.  Im sure he is a great player though.  On another note...i felt like coach leatherman threw the towel in early last nite.  BC hit a few late threes and we only down 7 with just under a minute to go i believe, but leatherman opted not to have the players foul.  Even though everyone wanted to get out of there to watch the real game last nite, it seemed like he gave in a little early.  Any thoughts by people at the game?

[algernon]

JWW .... I appreciate the "beach thug" humor, especially from a VWC fan!

Actually, in addition to Williford, Mills, Monroe, Call, and Wansley on the "21st Century First Team," I think I'd go with Robbie Pridgen (1999-2003), Kurt Bergmann (2000-2004), Ricky Easterling (2001-2005), and Brandon Adair (2003-2007) on the second team ... and then think about Jason Sager or "the beach thug" for the last spot (although I could also make a good case for Brandon Randall).

[yj424]

bcsportswriter- to say that Leatherman "threw in the towell too early" is blasphemous! He's got to be proud of how his guys played late in the game, they need PT and put up their best run of the game.

Last 5 games R-MC vs Bridgewater for Wansley:

36 for 62 field goals   58%
16.4 point average
8.2 rebounds per game
28:40 minutes per game

[algernon]

Last 5 games R-MC vs Bridgewater for Wansley:

36 for 62 field goals   58%
16.4 point average
8.2 rebounds per game
28:40 minutes per game

Averaging 16.5 points + 8.2 rebounds a game for the last 5 games while being double-teamed half the time? .... Pretty impressive performance by the All-American, I'd say.

[jeloesel]

One of Roanoke's freshmen, Michael Diggs, in action rebounding.  I expect he will see more action as the season continues.

[3sdown]

Algernon-

I would take it one step further...DAMN Impressive! 

And I agree with you picks for 1st Team All-21st Century and 2nd Team as well. 

[jdubyadubya]

Algernon - I don't think Adair deserves to be there yet. Let's see how he plays out this year and next.

[steelyglen]

Algernon...interesting post and one of the best you've put up IMHO. I'll take it a step further if you don't mind...Ok guru's...who's on your "GURU ALL 21st Century All ODAC Team" Here are the guidelines...
must have graduated/used up eligibility between 2000-2005. Could have started earlier obviously...list your Top 10 by POPC (player of partial century) first then second and so on...like we do when selecting our GURU POY. Positions be damned  . I will compile and will post our "GURU ALL 21st Century All ODAC Team". Post or e-mail your selections. Should be interesting since some of the gurus may not have seen some of the candidates play, but reputations and legends travel time! Let's put a deadline of January 12th on this and I will post on January 13th. Post your picks or e-mail me as usual!

Algernon...obviously you can stick with your picks or re-tool your picks if you'd like. You get a karma for the idea!

[jdubyadubya]

1. Justin Call, E&H
2. Jared Mills, RMC
3. Kyle Williford, BC
4. TJ Grimes, HSC
5. Ron Yuhasz, VWC
6. Kurt Bergman, RMC
7. Brandon Randall, HSC
8. Jeff Monroe, HSC
9.Robby Pridgen, RC
10.Dave Doino, VWC

[steelyglen]

Ok we're off and running..here are a few names not yet listed just to trigger your memories...

Joel Kauffman - EMU
Brad Dunleavy - RC
James Wallace - VWC
Tim Petrillo- VWC
Jack Jirak - HSC
Jeremy Harris - HSC
Ricky Easterling - BC
Jason Strickland - RC
Colby Leftwich - RC
Peter Warren - VWC

I'm sure there are others I've left out...Just trying to stir the brain cells...