MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[scottiedoug]

I am in Maryville, where Maryville College is D3 (and plays E&H). Quite a few regional high school athletes are lured to Carson-Newman, which is about an hour away, and other regional D2 schools by being able to get an "athletic scholarship," which D3 schools cannot offer. I assume E&H hopes to get into that game.  It is also more academically challenging to get into and stay in Maryville than it is at the D2 programs.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

There are a lot of kids (and parents) who will take even a partial athletic scholarship somewhere over an equal academic scholarship to d3.  Part of the youth sports culture is "getting a scholarship" and it's seen as an achievement.  That's a real part of athletic recruitment.  Those of us who love d3, see the value (and superiority?) of this system, but E&H does have a good fit in d2 (unlike of the other former d3 programs who've gone that route) and lot of solid paths forward.  They're much better set up for success there than some of the other cautionary tales.  All I can say is good luck!

[saratoga]

With very few exceptions, D2 is a dead zone.
Theoretically, they have the ability to provide scholarships but most schools in D2 are not well off endowment wise and end up splitting scholarships multiple ways.
Academics and admissions are also vastly different & not in a good way.
Perhaps the ultimate goal is to go D1 and stopping off in D2 is the required purgatory all schools with similar dreams must pay.
Beyond that, I have no idea why this move would be made as it's certainly not a prestige builder.
As has been said, good luck!

[warriorcat]

Tough news from one of the ODAC's flagship schools

https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/heartbreaking-guilford-college-to-make-deep-cuts-to-its-academic-majors-and-faculty/article_7755e64e-1f88-11eb-8cf0-4743eb7847ae.html

[Macon]

Tough news from one of the ODAC's flagship schools

https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/heartbreaking-guilford-college-to-make-deep-cuts-to-its-academic-majors-and-faculty/article_7755e64e-1f88-11eb-8cf0-4743eb7847ae.html

This topic has been vetted over on the ODAC football board, more info there.

[Macon]

Here's a preseason poll with R-MC as #1.  I know it's not D3Hoops, so I may be breaking some rule or showing bad form in doing so?

https://rmcathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/20201022ovpvhh

As we all know, the only true official poll is the D3hoops poll.

[y_jack_lok]

Renovations of Randolph College's gym & fitness complex.

https://wset.com/news/local/randolph-college-unveils-newly-renovated-athletic-center

[Macon]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Looks like some nice upgrades at Randolph.  No students at Randolph this fall (like Guilford), so I hope the budget woes don't find themselves in Lynchburg as well.  Already having a small enrollment (about 600 or so) may work to their advantage, not needing to retain a larger enrollment.

[Seatfiller]

Just turned on the tv and saw NC Wesleyan was playing at Coastal Carolina. I didn't know D3 basketball had started playing yet. Glad to see it back.

[Pat Coleman]

A little more than a dozen schools have played men's basketball games so far.

[ODAC_fan]

Assuming there is a shortened conference season come January what is the outlook for Roanoke?

[Macon]

Assuming there is a shortened conference season come January what is the outlook for Roanoke?

Unless there is a Roanoke poster here (don't think there is), you may not learn anything about RC until the coaches poll in January.  I think that R-MC will be the run-away #1.  Beyond that, I have no clue where teams will be ranked.  Given Covid, will some players not participate or even show up for college?  For example, will players that attended GC or Randolph (where on campus teaching did not happen this fall) be there in January?  Also, schools with players on campus this fall have an advantage in doing pickup games and creating the bonding that helps team sports. 

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ "Seatfiller" is a Roanoke poster.

[thescottharris]

Assuming there is a shortened conference season come January what is the outlook for Roanoke?

Also, schools with players on campus this fall have an advantage in doing pickup games and creating the bonding that helps team sports.

And they can still practice

[Macon]

Assuming there is a shortened conference season come January what is the outlook for Roanoke?

Also, schools with players on campus this fall have an advantage in doing pickup games and creating the bonding that helps team sports.

And they can still practice

Thanks, I assumed organized practices were delayed/deferred as well.