MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Jacketlawyer]

Just got in from the R-M/H-S game.  Of course, I loved the result, but the Tigers looked flat tonight.  Absolutely NO rebounding, offensive or defensive, for their part.  Also poor shot selection.  Not what I've come to expect from H-S over the years I've been watching 'em.

I thought for a moment or two in the second half that they'd rally, but Rhoades used a couple of good time-outs to get our guys back to the game plan and halt the Tigers' momentum.

R-M just played better ball, and used the clock very well.  Hawley did a good job on Kaase, too.

But on a good, personal note, it was good to see Tigerfan.  I knew it was him earlier today because up until tonight he was the only poster that knew I can't play golf!!

[Brian Hamilton]

I hate to admit it, but the better team won tonight.  HSC could not buy a bucket at times during the game.  RMC's guards and front court outplayed HSC's and the only person who played well for the Tigers was Tyler Murray.  Hopefully the team will see this as a learning experience and grow from it.

On a side note, I was wonder what anyone else in attendance thought of the officials.  I did not think they were horrible, but it always seems that Macon gets away with mauling other teams while the team they are playing gets called for ticky-tack fouls.  Of course, Macon also plays very agressive defense and that does create more contact and makes it more difficult to call the game for the officials.  I would love to know how the two games Macon lost were officiated.  It would not surprise me if they were called very tight.  In any event, Macon deserved the win tonight and I congratulate them.

[Jacketlawyer]

Oh and "Kid," thanks for the live ODAC scoreboard.  You're good.

If you got to see that BC/VWC game, I'd like to hear about it.

[Tigerfan]

Macon defense was the whole story of the game.  I guess the Tigers ought to thank them for revealing some weaknesses that maybe can be corrected: Tiger guards are ineffective when forced to put the ball on the floor and Kaase cannot find an open player when effectively double teamed (not saying that's necessarily his fault, the other guy may not be making himself available).  Wansley would double whenever a passer even looked at Kaase, but the Tigers were unable to find an open man.  Unless the Tiger wings can score or pass off the dribble with reasonable success, wins against the Jackets will not be forthcoming.  Tiger guards have become more like Gill of Macon - quite effective when they can catch and shoot or catch and dump to the big guy, not so much when forced to put it on the floor.
Macon's offense was not tremendous, but the defense overwhelmed the Tigers.

[hasanova]

Congratulations to RMC, VWC, EMU and GC on tonight's wins.  Wish I could have been at any of them, but I opted to watch my nephew's Montreat College team play at UNC-G.

Glad to see the Quakers got an ODAC road win to snap a seven-game losing streak!  Not sure of everything that happened during this down stretch, but I have always believed they are a better team than their 5-8 record might appear to a casual observer.  Hopefully, they can carry this positive effort into their two important home ODAC games this weekend.

By the way, I was quite surprised by the RMC/H-SC score.  Not so much that the Jackets won, but by how much and the relatively low combined score.  Also, some food for thought:  GC takes RMC to OT in Ashland, loses to VWC by 30 at the beach and then takes the Maroons by 18 in Salem.  RMC beats the formerly undefeated Tigers by 15 on the road, the Eagles take heralded VWC to OT and W&L is competitive this year.  In case you haven't figured it out yet, I think the next six weeks will have some more surprises!

[yj424]

WOW! Neither R-MC nor H-SC attempt a foul shot in the second half.

[stillfamily]

Congrats to RMC for getttin HSC..Big win. Also Congrats to EMU for playing great offensively, thats how they can control the game, run , run ,run, The runnin royals were at it tonight.... Big Weekend for EMU as it travels to EH , GC but not in that order!!! Good Luck , I'll be listening!

[justafan02]

Good win for the Marlins tonight in the fish tank.  Brandon Adair was rediculous tonight.  I have seen him play almost every game since he was a freshman and tonight may have been one of his better nights.  If he continues to hit the outside jumper and some jump hooks, it's going to make guarding him that much harder.   Kudos to BC, I thought the game was in hand and so too did the Marlins.  Several times they were up 10 or 11, but BC never let it climb much past that and kept pecking away.  I now see why Leatherman has been coach of the year.  He doesn't have a whole lot  to work with, but they play hard and are coached well.  VWC is going to have to step up here in the next two games as they travel to RMC and HSC.  If they coast through five or ten minutes in those games like they did tonight, they will be going home losing by 15, but they also have the ability to win those games by the same score.

Per my calculations Marques Fitch is about 104 points shy of 1,000.  Some may wonder where he has been this year.  I think the injuries took away his swagger, leadership and drive.  Bad news for ODAC foes, is it is starting to come back.  He wasn't on tonight, but you are starting to see that swagger and confidence again and he has the ability to make big shots in key situations.  He is a dangerous player when he is confident and the look in his eyes is coming back.  Just throwing it out there, but he is about to step up big time and lead this team over the next month.

[jeloesel]

So, I walked into the house after the Roanoke game and said to my wife, "Let's go down to the All-Sports Cafe to watch J.J. Redick play.  Duke is playing the turtles tonight."  After a beer each, she asked, "How did Roanoke do against Guilford?"  I said, "I'm having another beer.  How about you?"

http://www.roanoke.edu/athletics/mbball/0506box/game13.htm

[seminoletiger]

I believe both Jacketlawyer and Tigerfan summed up the game quite admirably.  The Tigers got beat at home by 15...and "it wasn't that close."  The only things I have to add are that the Tigers appeared more than "flat."  They quite simply looked lost on offense.  I would only characterize two or three of the 3-pointers as solid, good shots...very few, if any of the attempts involved a pass down low followed by a kick-out to a guard in a set position to shoot.  Kaase was double-teamed all night, and when he did get the ball down low with only one defender on him, I thought that there were several instances where he was a bit slow to react (for a shot) which created some of those double teams. 

The Tigers have been hot since late last year, but I think it says a lot about your youth when your top two scorers face an opponent like last night and come away with 8 (Kaase...4 of those late after the game was decided) and 0 (Prehmus) points, respectively.  I think our guys will learn from their weaknesses, move on, and continue to mature and improve.

On the Bright side, I was thoroughly impressed with the effort and production of Tyler Murray last night.  I know this young man has quickly garnered a reputation and has committed himself as a great defender, but I felt like he really showed a lot of grit and skill on the offensive end as well.  I'd like to see more offensive emphasis out of Tyler's game in the future.

Great game RMC.

[hasanova]

So, I walked into the house after the Roanoke game and said to my wife, "Let's go down to the All-Sports Cafe to watch J.J. Redick play.  Duke is playing the turtles tonight."  After a beer each, she asked, "How did Roanoke do against Guilford?"  I said, "I'm having another beer.  How about you?"

http://www.roanoke.edu/athletics/mbball/0506box/game13.htm

Funny, someone asked me the same question after the GC/VWC game and much like you, I said, "Forget it, have another beer."  lol

Regarding the RC/GC game, Ben Strong's stats looked great.  What were your impressions after seeing him in person?

[jeloesel]

Regarding the RC/GC game, Ben Strong's stats looked great.  What were your impressions after seeing him in person?

He is multidimensional.  I'm always impressed with a big guy who can shoot foul shots; he was 6-7 at the line.  He finished on a fast break with a thunderous dunk.  He got some garbage around the goal.  He showed a nice fade-away jumper from about 9 feet.  His defense seemed reasonable, although the Roanoke committee opposing him may not be his biggest test of the year.  He's got good hands.  He didn't get flustered when Roanoke doubled down on him.  He seemed to play within himself and work within a team structure rather than become the center of attention.  In other words, I was impressed.  He's greatly improved over last year.

[jeloesel]

About the only consolation about the debacle was the absence of Mr. Divak and hasanova.  I didn't have to have any embarrassing discussions about the poor showing by the Maroons with them.   

[Jacketlawyer]

So, I walked into the house after the Roanoke game and said to my wife, "Let's go down to the All-Sports Cafe to watch J.J. Redick play.  Duke is playing the turtles tonight."  After a beer each, she asked, "How did Roanoke do against Guilford?"  I said, "I'm having another beer.  How about you?"

All-Sports Cafe?  Is that somewhat near the Community Inn?  If so, I've been there a few times and love that place, as well as the CI.

If I get to do what I want to do, and that's have my own version of Woodstock at the ODAC tournament (hereinafter referred to as "ODACstock"), I hope to enjoy a few cold chillies at the A-SC.

By ODACstock, I'm thinking basketball and beer, and staying in Salem/Big Lick for the weekend.

[jdubyadubya]

You gotta love ODAC basketball. One team loses by 30 one night and wins by 18 the next. Another team wins big and goes to double OT. Then a team you think would win because of their previous record loses big to another top team. It's too much fun!