MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[HSCfan]

DJ Short will be going to EMU next year...although he was a stellar player in high school, he has been riddled with the injury bug at Queens. It will be interesting to see how much rust there is and how quickly that rust will wear off. Short was an incredibly quick and solid ball handler in high school, and with the way the Royals play (the Memphis style, drive and kick offense), he should fit right in and create loads of shots for his three-point eager teammates.

I agree 100% with Brian Hamilton regarding the point guard position. Scoring point guards whose teams win are very rare (someone mentioned Magic and Isaiah Thomas) - just look at Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson, etc. Tough to keep your team involved when your primary ballhandler is also your primary shooter. However, as Brian stated, it is important for that player to be able to be a threat when left open. The Tigers' Chris Fox and Ryan Odom were those threats from the outside at the point position...Brian Gunn was to a point...Matt Green could knock down an open shot when he needed to. Byron Lawton can do the same and MUST this year, especially since the Tigers lack that proven inside presence...Turner King will be squeezed to death if he cannot. That is also why the development of Dillard is so vital.

[ODACHOOPS]

Byron Lawton will HAVE to consistently knock down open jumps shots as well as be able to penetrate and attack the rim in order for hsc to have a chance at a successful year.  If your pg can't shoot or doesn't gain enough respect from opponents to be heavily guarded  on the perimeter, then in most cases it is that defender that is helping either doubling down on the post or adding extra pressure to a sharp shooting wings (i.e.: king).  Lawton has shown signs of being able to knock down perimeter shots as well as the open 3, but even more so next year without the inside presence of Kaase or the sharp shooting Prehmus, Lawton will have to step up a lot and become a respectable scoring option.  I just don't know if Lawton has that ability.  He's a good floor general and distributor, but unlike most years, hsc is going to need much more then that out of their pg.

[Brian Hamilton]

I wouldn't say that Lawton has to become a big time scorer.  He definitely needs to take the open shot when he has it (and hit it), but, more importantly, he must attack the rim with penetration.  Even if he doesn't score it will cause problems for defenses and create opportinities for others.  I think aggression is what we need to see from Byron and other Tigers not named King if they are going to compete.

On another note, I also believe that it will be interesting to see what Vick will do with the defense.  Under Shaver and Vick defense was one of the key components.  But, as mentioned before, Vick probably does not have the personnel to run the type of defense that he and Shaver used to run.  Since it appears that the team may have some trouble scoring (I hope not), defense will be the biggest key to their success.

[HSCfan]

I agree, again, that Lawton does not need to be a big time scorer, but just make sure to maximize what he does best, which is lead on the floor, create opportunities for other teammates, and hit the wide open shot.

I think that the new system will make the Tigers even more of a threat this year. Teams had become accustomed to the Shaver-Smith system over the past few years, both offensively, and, in the past couple years, defensively. The shake up in personnel will mean that teams will have to start from scratch when preparing for H-SC. I know that Vick is a predecessor of Shaver, but for anyone who watched William and Mary play the last couple of years, they know that the system the Tribe ran was a far cry from the Shaver system of old. Dee Vick was a major contributor to this, specializing in creating philosophy based on his personnel. I am just excited to see what he comes up with and how he will use his personnel on both ends of the floor.

[ODACHOOPS]

"Lawton will have to step up a lot and become a respectable scoring option" was the statement I made.  Haha didn't know that the word "respectable" translated into "big time."  I don't think he has to nor does he have the ability to become a "big time" scorer.  He is going to have to do much more then just hit wide open shots offensively though.  Being a good floor general and distributing the rock will be a necessity; however he will have to contribute offensively more so then just hitting the open shot. HSC just doesn't have enough offensive power for him not to.  Other then king he is the 2nd leading scorer returning from last yrs team (troops being right there with him ppg wise) their going to need him scoring.

[emufan]

How many years does DJ Short have left to play?

Thanks

[odacfan1225]

I am assuming just one, which is wierd that he would transfer with just one year left.  I say that because he was in the same class as Justin Short and Tyrese Rice.

[donho]

  Based on his Queens bio he has played for two years.

[TDizzle21]

Just in case anyone hasnt seen these schedules and would like to:

Washington and Lee University 08-09
http://www1.wlu.edu/x3331.xml

Randolph College
http://wildcats.randolphcollege.edu/mens_basketball/sched_results.asp

Bridgewater College
http://www.bridgewater.edu/Athletics/AthleticTeams/BasketballM/ScheduleAndResults

[Jeremybozz]

 Bill Leatherman is having a press conference at Bridgewater today. He has retired.
www.bridgewater.edu/Athletics/AthleticTeams/BasketballM

[emufan]

He was questioned a few months ago regarding retirement and stated that he would coach for at least one more season. Does anyone know why he changed his mind so quickly?

[Jeremybozz]

He was questioned a few months ago regarding retirement and stated that he would coach for at least one more season. Does anyone know why he changed his mind so quickly?

We don't know. He is keeping that part private.
www.dnronline.com/sports_details.php?AID=30283&CHID=3&sub=

[osnapitsodac]

Man another Great odac coach out When is it going to stop geesh.Leatherman has always been a quality coach in the odac whether its his personal life that pushed him out its still stinks that he is gone. I cant ever remeber there been an incident were a bridgewater player has been showoffy made that up or acted like an idiot.Again great coach will be missed.

[osnapitsodac]

One question wat  happened to D.J Billups ?

[HSCfan]

Of all the coaching changes that occured in the ODAC this summer, I believe that this may be the most impactful in the short term. Dee Vick and Hilliary Scott's hirings will certainly benefit each school in the long haul, but as for immediate impact, Leatherman's departure has to be the most difficult.

Obviously the timing has to be tough on Bridgewater, but how about the personnel that Bill recruited to fit his preferred style of play? Leatherman prefers big guards who can post and strong and burley five men who can rebound - perfect fits for his swing style offense. I believe that Trawick and Oblitey, two great players who aren't necessarily lightening quick, but can score on smaller defenders, are perfect fits for the swing and flex offensive systems that focus on halfcourt execution and finding mismatches. Will they be as effective in a different style? Certainly a new coach will suit his philosophy to his personnel, but that might be something to watch for. The BC team that I saw as being the third-best in the ODAC this season may have to re-convince me...