MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

I'm very interested in seeing RMC tonight, as I have no idea what this team will be.   My gut says they're not a top 20 team.  This team will only be as good as the freshmen are good.  Will need a freshman or two to be a real stud this year to be a good team.  This is a very young team and I expect two freshmen to start.

I foresee a starting lineup of Mbangue, Coble, Robinson and after that, who knows. Maybe Bryce Scott and a freshman.

Update. I got the first three right. The other two were senior Lance Johnson and freshman Sam Brannen

[y_jack_lok]

Roanoke lost to D1 Radford 89-72 in an exhibition last night.

https://radfordathletics.com/news/2023/10/30/mens-basketball-giles-chandler-lead-highlanders-past-roanoke-college-in-exhibition-contest.aspx

I've been out of the loop had no clue this occurred.  Looked it up looked like we played tough for a while with them.  It's going to be a interesting season, most likely we'll be middle of the pack.  It's weird to see someone other than Macon being the favorites for the conference.  Roanoke plays today against a tough Stockton team, hoping we can start the season with a win.

Congrats to the Maroons on an 84-75 win per D3hoops.

[y_jack_lok]

A comfortable win for RMC, 84-61 over Pfeiffer. There was basically a 10 man rotation for the Jackets that included three freshmen. No one played more than 25 minutes. Freshman Sam Brannen and sophomore Jabril Robinson led the Jackets in scoring with 15 each. Freshman Joe Bachman pulled down seven rebounds in 14 minutes. All in all a pretty good win against what I suspect is not a great team -- picked 6th in the USA South preseason poll. They did beat Averett by five last night, however. Maybe they had a bit of fatigue from that game.

Hard to really assess the Jackets based on that game. We'll know more after tomorrow's game vs VWU.

[Seatfiller]

Roanoke lost to D1 Radford 89-72 in an exhibition last night.

https://radfordathletics.com/news/2023/10/30/mens-basketball-giles-chandler-lead-highlanders-past-roanoke-college-in-exhibition-contest.aspx

I've been out of the loop had no clue this occurred.  Looked it up looked like we played tough for a while with them.  It's going to be a interesting season, most likely we'll be middle of the pack.  It's weird to see someone other than Macon being the favorites for the conference.  Roanoke plays today against a tough Stockton team, hoping we can start the season with a win.

Congrats to the Maroons on an 84-75 win per D3hoops.

Big win today for the Maroons.  It was a 2 point game at half and then back and forth until the 10 minute mark of the 2nd half. Roanoke looked good just have to work on the fouling. Big win today though.

[y_jack_lok]

All six ODAC teams in action won their games tonight. In the previous two nights of games to start the season ODAC teams were 3-4.

[Macon]

As to the RMC game, the first 10 minutes was painful to watch.  But, by the end of the game, the Jackets were playing much better.  Good contributions from the freshmen, one was a leading scorer, another the leading rebounder.  They produced 31 points and 15 of the total 38 rebounds.  Good first step, but lots of work to do.  Need to grow up quickly against a very good VWU team.  This team will be a work in progress, but it will be fun to watch.  Coach will get it done!

[Greek Tragedy]

I find it odd they are playing a conference opponent as a NC game. I realize they only play each other once in the conference schedule, but I would've thought they just swap opponents the 2nd night of their tournament.

[y_jack_lok]

I find it odd they are playing a conference opponent as a NC game. I realize they only play each other once in the conference schedule, but I would've thought they just swap opponents the 2nd night of their tournament.

I agree with you. Either last season or in '21-'22 RMC and Hampden-Sydney played an early season non-conference game. Makes no sense to me unless both teams needed a game and couldn't find anyone else to schedule.

[y_jack_lok]

As to the RMC game, the first 10 minutes was painful to watch.  But, by the end of the game, the Jackets were playing much better.  Good contributions from the freshmen, one was a leading scorer, another the leading rebounder.  They produced 31 points and 15 of the total 38 rebounds.  Good first step, but lots of work to do.  Need to grow up quickly against a very good VWU team.  This team will be a work in progress, but it will be fun to watch.  Coach will get it done!

Yes, the early part of the game was a bit rough for the Jackets. Hoping they can hang with VWU this afternoon.

I was surprised sophomore Liam Joyce didn't play at all last night. Hope he is okay.

[Macon]

As to the RMC game, the first 10 minutes was painful to watch.  But, by the end of the game, the Jackets were playing much better.  Good contributions from the freshmen, one was a leading scorer, another the leading rebounder.  They produced 31 points and 15 of the total 38 rebounds.  Good first step, but lots of work to do.  Need to grow up quickly against a very good VWU team.  This team will be a work in progress, but it will be fun to watch.  Coach will get it done!

Yes, the early part of the game was a bit rough for the Jackets. Hoping they can hang with VWU this afternoon.

I was surprised sophomore Liam Joyce didn't play at all last night. Hope he is okay.

I thought I saw Liam in street clothes.
But, the video was not the best, so I could be wrong.

[y_jack_lok]

I didn't get to watch all of yesterday's RMC/VWU game. But from what I saw, both teams were struggling to score. Some of that clearly had to do with defense, but Coble and Pulley going a combined 0 for 8 on threes is a bit of a surprise, as is an overall 4 for 23 from behind the arc. VWU did even worse from three, going 0 for 13. Fouling, free throws and rebounding seem to have been the main differences.

The Jackets play at CNU on Wednesday, They host Cal Lutheran, which will come in at 2-0, on Sunday. That's followed by the official ODAC game VS VWU on Wednesday11/29.

There's a very real possibility RMC could be 1-4 to start the season. This might turn out to be a rebuilding year, after all.

[Seatfiller]

Roanoke lost to Widener last night.  RC was up 2 at half and the game was close until the 5 minute mark of the 2nd half as Widener ran away with it.  It's going to be a interesting season where I can see us beating a couple teams we shouldn't but I can see RC losing some games they shouldn't. 

[Macon]

I didn't get to watch all of yesterday's RMC/VWU game. But from what I saw, both teams were struggling to score. Some of that clearly had to do with defense, but Coble and Pulley going a combined 0 for 8 on threes is a bit of a surprise, as is an overall 4 for 23 from behind the arc. VWU did even worse from three, going 0 for 13. Fouling, free throws and rebounding seem to have been the main differences.

The Jackets play at CNU on Wednesday, They host Cal Lutheran, which will come in at 2-0, on Sunday. That's followed by the official ODAC game VS VWU on Wednesday11/29.

There's a very real possibility RMC could be 1-4 to start the season. This might turn out to be a rebuilding year, after all.

Totally agree on your thoughts.  I think RMC will be very inconsistent this season.  Some of that is the lack of depth and depending on Freshmen to contribute.  They'll get better, but will they become a consistent winner, I hope so, but it's looking like an up and down season.  Hoping for the best as I know Coach and the players will be working hard to do whatever it takes to win. 

Go Jackets!

[Macon]

One stat the has hurt RMC so far is the 3-pt shot.  Fix that and the wins may come.

[y_jack_lok]

One stat the has hurt RMC so far is the 3-pt shot.  Fix that and the wins may come.

Yep. Coble had his best shooting season as a sophomore on the national championship team. So many weapons on that team that opponents couldn't guard them all. Last year he wasn't as consistent. Seems like they'd want to really work this season to get him open looks to help in the 3-pt department.