MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[baselinejam]

HSC roster up:

http://www.hsc.edu/athletics/basketball/2005_06/roster.html

[jdubyadubya]

The VWC roster is up too. #44 goes to Norman Hassell. HSC is like VWC was last year and this year, only two seniors on the roster. The next several years will be awesome for the top three. 

[mybleedinghands]

JWW,
Is that before or after tryouts because 17 (and one injured players) seems like a lot for a program without a JV team?

[jdubyadubya]

There will be some attrition, but not much

[seminoletiger]

Tigerfan or anyone else:

What happened to AJ Dowell and Davis Bowne from last year's Tiger roster?

[maroons6thman]

Seminole - Bowne I can't help you with, but the story came out in the Roanoke Times several months ago about Dowell, in a "local notes" type section by staff writer Doug Doughty - Dowell chose to return closer to home (Salem) and thus transferred to Roanoke, where he'll play for the Maroons this year.  I certainly am looking forward to his shooting touch from outside he displayed for the Tigers last year adding yet another long range bomber to the squad.

Hey Jim - how about a mid game or so 3 guard lineup of Dowell, Butler, Shrader.... 

p.s. That 3 position - not always wanting to put perhaps the absolute best offensive team on the floor as starters, but looking for chemistry and a well rounded team as well - how about Jackson for starting 3?  Mr. Make Everyone Around You Better?

[jeloesel]

maroons6thman,
With Page's penchant for mixing and matching lineups for different offensive and defensive looks, I can guarantee we will see a Dowell-Butler-Shrader appearance on the floor regularly.  Problems for the opposing teams--if they are hitting.  That will not be the lineup if rebounds are needed.

I think we will see T. Jackson starting at "3" when the first game tips off.  I wish we could stretch him a couple more inches so he would be able to hit the boards more effectively.  He's also got problems matching up defensively with some of the taller and heftier forwards.  However, as you point out, he's a catalyst who makes the team better when he's out there.  I'm interested how the freshmen will develop to give some quality minutes on the boards and on defense.  If we get offense from them, it's a bonus.

[emufan]

I was able to watch the EMU mens team last night.  EMU is more talented and athletic than last year. I expect them to compete each night. Coach Dean has them playing hard in practice and working as a team. 

Is anyone else excited about this season? I believe the top 4-5 teams in the ODAC are going to be extremely tight with no off nights from any ODAC team.

[mybleedinghands]

emufan,
I'm excited. I think that 1-8 will be really close, not just 4-5. I'm sure tiebreakers will ahve to be used to determine more than just who is first and second this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see a bunch of upsets this year.

[3sdown]

Scottie-

How would you have upsets if 1-8 are real close?  They wouldn't be classified as upsets if everyone is closely bunched together.  With the predicted closeness of the ODAC this year COACHING will be at a premimum.  It sure will be interesting to see which one of the many highly regarded ODAC coaches makes the right call and develops the best team if everyone in the ODAC is closely bunched.

[mybleedinghands]

Scottie-

How would you have upsets if 1-8 are real close?  They wouldn't be classified as upsets if everyone is closely bunched together.  With the predicted closeness of the ODAC this year COACHING will be at a premimum.  It sure will be interesting to see which one of the many highly regarded ODAC coaches makes the right call and develops the best team if everyone in the ODAC is closely bunched.

When i said upset, I was thinking more along the lines of an 8th place team beating a 1st or 2nd palce team, or like a 7 beating a 3. Basically, more along the lines of standings, not necessarily how good two teams are. But yes, I agree, coaching will play a big factor this year.

[jeloesel]

emufan,
What or who has increased the talent and athleticism of the Royals this year?  Give us some specifics, please.

[coopersharpe]

Watch out for Guilford center Ben Strong to have a huge year.  I expect him to be a top three big man this year only behind Adair and Wansley, if he isnt more dominant with them.  Especially with Genaro Lawhorn not playing this year Ben Strong is the most improved player in this league, guaranteed.

[mr_divac]

i completely agree with coopersharpe, Ben is without question a much improved player, i hope for GC's sake he can handle the D's that will be thrown at him being the number one guy on other team's scouting report now, speaking from experience its much harder in that spot then in others, but i truly believe Strong can do it.

Somewhere aroung page 14 or 15 jboogie...said "palombo did what he had to do to make this unit tighter" i'm just wondering what you mean by that statement JC...i'm just wondering because it sounds like a shot at Kerry and Myself, mainly me though, and if thats what that was, of course i disagree, i mean he did tell me he wanted me back next year, something not likely looking at our past, but thats where him and i left off.

[eagleslam]

coopersharpe...

Ben Strong, a top 3 big man, only behind Wansley and Adair?  What about proven guys such as Jason Sager, Clay Michael, and Phil Hawley?  What about Jason Lentz?  What about newcomer Josh Fox?  He may end up being the most improved player in the league, but that will not mean he is a top 3 big man, especially behind those other guys.  I am curious, though.  Why do you think he will be a top 3 big man, despite the fact he is only a sophomore, and has never had to be focus of a defense before?