MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Jacketlawyer · February 02, 2006, 09:18:47 AM

Jeloesel: I was actually pulling for the Maroons last night. And I stand by my earlier statement that I don't want to have to play them again. Page will have them ready for the ODAC tournament.

Sorry you didn't make it to the A-SC.

algernon · February 02, 2006, 09:32:21 AM

It's a big weekend coming up for those teams that are still not certain of a tournament berth. I think that E&H and EMU are in a pretty good place to make the tournament, with 6 wins .... they simply need to avoid a freefall. But Roanoke and Bridgewater need to win a game this weekend ... and hope that Lynchburg doesn't win one or two.

Roanoke at Lynchburg on Saturday is a huge game for both teams .... Roanoke can almost guarantee themselves a tournament berth with a win on the Hornets' court, especially since a win would give them the tie-breaker if they ended the season in a tie for #8 with Lynchburg. And Lynchburg almost HAS to win the Saturday game, plus the game in Lexington on Sunday, if they are to have a realistic chance of getting into the tournament.

The Emory & Henry/ Guilford trip to EMU/ Bridgewater is a big one for all of these teams. Bridgewater needs to get a 6th win this weekend to shore up their hopes for a tournament berth. The Eagles travel to Roanoke next Wednesday and then have the toughest last 2 games of the regular season: Randolph-Macon and Virginia Wesleyan.

xcoach · February 02, 2006, 10:25:16 AM

There are many interesting storylines this year that are worthy of analysis: VWC staking its claim as the dominant team in the conference...HSC's second half woes...the Jekyll/Hyde makeup of EMU, RC and BC to name a few. For me, however, nothing is more interesting than the emergence of E&H. There was a great deal of discussion about the merits of "the system" last season when Coach Johnson turned to it and there has been a reprise of that discussion recently. Without discussing the merits of "the system", I would be very interested in hearing some opinions on how E&H has gone from a winless "cellar dweller" to a team that is a virtual tournament lock. Statistically, they are fairly consistent aren' t
they? There doesn't appear to be any huge improvement in FG% and they appear to still be firing up the 3-pt shot at the same pace.
So, is their defense better? Have they stopped simply "giving away" 2pts and are challenging more in the half-court? Are they doing a better job on the defensive boards? Are opponents playing more "into the hands" of E&H by losing patience on offense and shooting more 3's themselves instead of taking the easy deuce? I would love to hear some objective chatter as to why the turnaround.

tigerfanalso · February 02, 2006, 11:25:46 AM

I think E&H has improved during the course of the season. My observation indicates the biggest improvement is in the half court defense.They don't seem to be giving up the high shooting % like they did in the first half of the season. I think some of their wins have come against teams(HSC,Roanoke,RMC) that are not playing at the same level they did in the first half all for different reasons so that has helped E&H's win/loss record. If they continue to improve they very well may pull an upset in the tourny, but I don't look for them to be a factor to win as I think it is impossible for them to but three games together back to back to back, because of the system they run. That is my thoughts on E&H, past, present and future !!!!

hasanova · February 02, 2006, 11:38:42 AM

Quote from: tigerfanalso on February 02, 2006, 11:25:46 AM
I think E&H has improved during the course of the season. My observation indicates the biggest improvement is in the half court defense.They don't seem to be giving up the high shooting % like they did in the first half of the season. I think some of their wins have come against teams(HSC,Roanoke,RMC) that are not playing at the same level they did in the first half all for different reasons so that has helped E&H's win/loss record. If they continue to improve they very well may pull an upset in the tourny, but I don't look for them to be a factor to win as I think it is impossible for them to but three games together back to back to back, because of the system they run. That is my thoughts on E&H, past, present and future !!!!

I saw a nice half-court defense by E&H when they played Guilford. I was amazed at how well they cut off the passing lanes. I felt lucky for the Quakers to get a 109-106 win on Jan. 18.

Jacketlawyer · February 02, 2006, 12:24:35 PM

As far as E&H's system is concerned, I would say that if it's as good as they market it to be, they'd be doing better than .500 ball.

ODACfan1 · February 02, 2006, 01:27:53 PM

Quote from: Jacketlawyer on February 02, 2006, 12:24:35 PM
As far as E&H's system is concerned, I would say that if it's as good as they market it to be, they'd be doing better than .500 ball.

Wow thats an interesting statement...Funny how people talk about the demise of teams like sydney in the second half of the season, but people forget that teams actually do get better during the season. The Wasps started out 3-8...lets not forget that there non-conference schedule included national powers John Carroll and Wooster. Whatever that doesn't really matter. However they are 7-3 the last 10 games. They have been through the toughest part of their schedule, and the reason that they are at .500 is because they were still learning and adjusting to the system. I look for them to make a run in the tournament...honestly who wants to play them in the tournament...Plus the best part is that they lose only 2 seniors and get Lance Reasback back next year. This thing looks good this year with freshman...wait until they are sophomores.

Jacketlawyer · February 02, 2006, 01:35:47 PM

Hmmmmm, didn't know E&H played Wooster, and John Carroll. Respectable. But I'm gonna stick to my guns on my earlier opinion.

I'll be watching 'em closely and see how they do in the tournament. Too early to be thinking about next year!!!

algernon · February 02, 2006, 01:50:34 PM

Quote from: ODACfan1 on February 02, 2006, 01:27:53 PM
Quote from: Jacketlawyer on February 02, 2006, 12:24:35 PM
As far as E&H's system is concerned, I would say that if it's as good as they market it to be, they'd be doing better than .500 ball.

Wow thats an interesting statement...Funny how people talk about the demise of teams like sydney in the second half of the season, but people forget that teams actually do get better during the season. The Wasps started out 3-8...lets not forget that there non-conference schedule included national powers John Carroll and Wooster. Whatever that doesn't really matter. However they are 7-3 the last 10 games. They have been through the toughest part of their schedule, and the reason that they are at .500 is because they were still learning and adjusting to the system. I look for them to make a run in the tournament...honestly who wants to play them in the tournament...Plus the best part is that they lose only 2 seniors and get Lance Reasback back next year. This thing looks good this year with freshman...wait until they are sophomores.

After Justin Call left, they were 6-11 last season until they implemented the system. Since then (January 29, at Randolph-Macon last year), they've been 4-4 last year and 10-10 this year. Given the number of freshmen EHC has been playing this year, as well as the fact that they've won 7 of their last 9, you've got to think (worry) that they'll win a majority of their games this season and next.

justafan02 · February 02, 2006, 02:36:28 PM

Not taking anything away from E&H because they have played better lately. But you will not be considered a "good" basketball team (in my eyes and my opinion) until you finish consistently in the top three or four (on a good year) in the conference.

Now you could be playing "good" basketball and it is obvious that E&H is, right now.

About the system: Say what you want about it, but I get just as excited to watch E&H come to the beach as HSC and RMC. The reason is, the system. I want to see the athletic guards at VWC run through the system (and there is this little voice inside rooting for a 200 point game). The bottom line is, the system is exciting and different than the average game. For us with ADD, it keeps our mind from wandering.

jdubyadubya · February 02, 2006, 02:48:48 PM

About the system....VWC beat it by 42!

tigerfanalso · February 02, 2006, 02:54:32 PM

I agree with the previous post; all of this conversation regarding E&H and the "system" is rather moot; E&H will earn attention and respect when/if they become at top three or four finisher in the ODAC on a consistant basis. Until than they will continue to be a fun and different type of team to watch, but nothing more. With the decline at HSC, a spot in the top four might be a little easier to obtain but until that time VWC & RMC will continue to demand the most attention and respect in the conference. I'm pulling for E&H to improve because I think it will be good for the ODAC.

Jacketlawyer · February 02, 2006, 02:56:50 PM

Quote from: jdubyadubya on February 02, 2006, 02:48:48 PM
About the system....VWC beat it by 42!

They sure as heck did!!

I'm still unconvinced about the E&H aerobic workout. Yes, they did beat my team in Emory, and I picked it. But R-M has beaten "the system", too. I agree with what TFA wrote yesterday about it as well.

Look, I'm not afraid to be wrong. If E&H should beat VWC or R-M in the tournament, I'll be happy to eat my share of crow. Serve it on up!! But not until that time!

ODACfan1 · February 02, 2006, 02:58:08 PM

Quote from: jdubyadubya on February 02, 2006, 02:48:48 PM
About the system....VWC beat it by 42!
[/quote

And to think that I almost thought that there actually were some gracious fans of Virginia Wesleyan. I wonder why they have the reputation they have. Yeah the Marlins came out and really had no trouble with Emory and Henry. Thats a compliment, might try it sometime. VWC just had it going and Emory did not. I dont think there is a team in the ODAC that Emory really wants to play in the tournament besides VWC...You guys have a great team, I want to see the two teams play again.

ODACfan1 · February 02, 2006, 02:58:47 PM

And to think that I almost thought that there actually were some gracious fans of Virginia Wesleyan. I wonder why they have the reputation they have. Yeah the Marlins came out and really had no trouble with Emory and Henry. Thats a compliment, might try it sometime. VWC just had it going and Emory did not. I dont think there is a team in the ODAC that Emory really wants to play in the tournament besides VWC...You guys have a great team, I want to see the two teams play again.