MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[emufan]

Eagleslam,

I don't think Parkes and Parrish came to EMU because they would get more playing time at EMU.  They would play just as much at BC.  They choose EMU because Kirby happened to win the recruiting war.  Keep it up coach.

Ladyfan,

I have never, never heard that EMU gives more money that BC.  EMU's endowment is so very small I can hardly believe that. Is their any numbers that we can get a hold of to find out who gives more money in the ODAC.

[jeloesel]

Roanoke let one get away today, playing the Yellow Jackets tough but losing 61-71.  Roanoke worked up a nice 10-point lead in the first half, by simply outplaying Macon in all facets of the game.  They promply gave it all away in the first part of the second half.  Roanoke scored only two points in the first seven minutes of the half, and by that time R-MC had worked up a little lead.  Roanoke eventually got back in the game and it was nip and tuck with two minutes to go.  They played good defense but I think it was Krovic hit a big three just as the shot clock was expiring.  On the other end, Roanoke's three rimmed out and it was lights out as the Yellow Jackets executed at the foul line.  I think Roanoke shot about 30% for the second half.

Randolph-Macon struggled during much of the game.  They had at least three technicals and a bunch of turnovers.  But, they showed the poise that championship teams seem to exhibit at key moments, something that the young Roanoke team needs to emulate.  Peery continued to show improvement at the post, and played at the level of the R-MC big men.  I think he scored 11.  Wansley had 13, if I remember correctly.  I'll post a link to the box score later.

Nice to talk to 3sdown, even though he was sitting on the Macon side.   

[jeloesel]

Roanoke vs. Randolph-Macon box score:

http://www.roanoke.edu/athletics/mbball/0506box/game8.htm

[ladyfan]

I believe it was ladyeagle that insinuated that EMU gives more money than Bridgewater. This is just the opposite! Bridgewater even has  scholarships (financial aid!?) for kids if they hail from the great state of Florida. If a kid is a Presidential scholar at Bridgewater he gets a free ride, at EMU it's $5-$6,000 off tuition. Coach Dean deals with probably the most restrictive package there is in the ODAC. He is a fantastic recruiter that gets the kids to believe in what he's trying to sell.

In regards to Parrish and Parkes going to Bridgewater. Parrish would get all of Cecil's minutes, and probably start at point for the Eagles, pushing Josh to 2. Parkes would step in at 3 and get the 20 shots and 20-25 ppg that he is used to getting. Clay is the only Eagle that could probably crack EMU's  lineup, and it's going to be that way for a couple of years. Bill and PW have to get back to work and recruit! Spend a few Friday nights with Coach Dean and his staff and see how it's done.

[former rmcsid]

R-MC freshman guard Justin Short's 11 points today vs. Roanoke tied his career-high.  He made 3-of-4 field goals, as did junior forward Phil Hawley, who also scored 11 points.  Hawley pulled down six rebounds too, while Short had five rebounds.

To go along with his 13 points, senior forward Justin Wansley added team-highs of seven rebounds and four assists.

[3sdown]

Eagleslam-

I partially agree with you.  It is hard to make adjustments when the strategy is to play defense in the backcourt only and then heave three pointers.  Or that is the strategy it seems to me.  But, maybe there is more strategy to the "System" than meets the eye and Johnson's kids are not executing the strategy appropriately.  I see your point, but again know that Coach Johnson is intensely competitive and I would never question that at all.

jeloesel-

Good to see you as well at the RC-RMC game as well.  Both teams played extremely hard.  Macon just had more firepower in the end.  Altogether 4 technicals called in the game.  One double technical between 2 players.  One on a Macon player and then one on Coach Moir.  The officials had their hands full this game!  It was a rough game, especially on the low block.  The officials let the big boys play rough around the basket today.  If that remains consistent then everyone in the ODAC is going to need to toughen up.

Macon's young players impressed me a great deal, especially the 2 freshmen point guards.  #5 Alex Dermer, I believe, was impressive as well and played several solid minutes in the second half.  Peery, a big guard, that covered Butler for long stretches was impressive as well.  These young kids worked well with the more seasoned players of Wansley, Hawley, Sutherland, Krovic (2 big threes in the 2nd half), Dixon, Gill, and others.  Impressive win on the road by the Yellow Jackets.

Jim is right in that Roanoke appeared to have a chance at this game, but things did not fall their way.  One thing I am confused about is the substitution patterns of Coach Moir.  I watched many RC games last year and this is first one this year, but at times I think Moir goes too deep into his bench.  In addition, the combinations on the floor at certain times confuse me.  I know it is early in the season and I don't see what happens in practices on a daily basis, but it remains a question for me.  

LaPorte looked good, but sat on the bench a little too long for me at times.  I don't understand why Carter doesn't play less and Dowell, Schrader, and Jackson more?  In addition, #1, freshmen from Providence Day in Charlotte doesn't look ready to play...And there were one or two other big guys I thought Moir would have been better off leaving on the bench.

Just my two cents...Well, great start for the Yellow Jackets in the ODAC.  2-0 for a tough weekend road trip away from Richmond.  Roanoke is always a tough place to play for Macon.  A spanking of LC to start the season places RMC at 3-0.  Now a huge match-up with EMU on the 10th of December!!!!  
   
Ladyfan-

I wouldn't question the work ethic of Leatherman and his staff.  Over the years they have pulled in some big recruits.  Additionally, Kirby does a great job and has a great work ethic, but so due many other coaches.  For example, I saw Leatherman and his staff scouting today at Roanoke.  All of the teams in the ODAC, especially the perennial contenders have strong work ethics.  Leatherman's and his staff is right up there (and that comes from a Macon Supporter).

[ladyeagle]

ladyfan you saw one Bridgewater game.  Don't think you saw them at their best.  Far from it in fact. 

yes.  we do give a lot of money away.  but you have to have a certain gpa or sat score to get the money.  something some of basketball players who end up at EMU don't have.*

As for coaching staff, yes Kirby Dean is a great coach and I'm sure a good recruiter, but when a player chooses a school there is much more to it than the coach (who is obviously a factor...but not the only one).  You really don't know much about ODAC basketball if you are trying to compare Dean to Leatherman.  I am sure if you even asked Coach Dean he would tell you that he has great respect for Coach Leatherman.  Dean of course will always be noted as a huge force in the reason EMU has started to make a turn around, making him a great Coach...but he needs to put a few more years under his belt before he really can be compared to Leatherman.

*although im sure some of them are very smart.

[emufan]

Sorry for the mix-up ladyfan.

I have to agree with you that BC is able to give a lot more money than EMU. I have never heard anyone say that EMU is able to give great academic scholarships. I would know...I will be paying it off for the next twenty years.

I also don't think anyone was comparing Dean and Leatherman.  Leatherman has been in the ODAC for at least 20 + years. 

EMU is headed in the right direction thanks to Coach Dean and his staff and that is exciting for EMU bball fans!

[jeloesel]

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Sophomore forward Tyler Fantin (Virginia Beach,
Va./Kellem) posted game-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds in leading
23rd-ranked Virginia Wesleyan to a 72-50 win over Washington and Lee in
ODAC men's basketball action on Sunday evening at the Warner Center.

The Marlins (4-3, 2-1) used a 14-4 run to take a 21-11 lead with 11:54
remaining in the first half and never looked back in posting the
victory.

Virginia Wesleyan shot 50.8 percent from the floor led by Fantin, who
hit seven of his 11 shots for the game. Sophomore guard Ton Ton Belenga
(Newport News, Va./Warwick) notched 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while
junior guard Thomas Sumpter (Hampton, Va./Bethel) chipped in 11 points
and five assists.

Washington and Lee (0-8, 0-3) was paced by sophomore forward Femi Kusimo
(Charleston, W.Va./Charleston Catholic), who registered 15 points, six
rebounds, two assists and two steals. Freshman guard Isaiah Goodman
(Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels) added 12 points and four boards.

[Warren Thompson]

Jim Loesel:

What occasioned the TFs on Macon?

[Jacketlawyer]

3sdown--Thanks for your write-up of the R-M/RC game.  I was there as well.  Roanoke really put the wood to us in the first half--I'd like to see what the rebounding stat was at the half.  We had all kinds of trouble with that Maroon full court press.

In my opinion, we got away with one today.  I think our bench is deeper and that's what saved us.  But I think RC has a lot to look forward to this season.  They will definitely be playing better than .500 ball, and they're going to beat some people.

I also saw the R-MC/W&L game.  Different story.  As a kid growing up in Lynchburg in the '70s and a student at R-MC in the '80s, W&L was formidable.  They came to play.  I'd be hesitant to guess as to why the quality of the men's sports there has soured (except for this years' football team and their lacrosse teams), but it's clear the current administration has other priorities.  I write this clearly acknowledging W&L's great academic reputation, but also with a slight tinge of sadness.  The ODAC is always more fun to watch when the Gennies are playing well.

[Jacketlawyer]

I can't remember what caused all of the TFs.  Some of them were pretty bizarre calls.

[hasanova]

What sort of fan support does W&L men's basketball have this year - especially in Lexington?  I already have a preconceived notion, but just want to hear from someone who knows first-hand.  The Quakers come to town Wednesday night and I believe (and hope) they're the better team, even on the road.

jacketlawyer -

W&L has had some recent success in men's and women's tennis as well as women's soccer, just to name a few sports.

[mybleedinghands]

W&L has been pretty dominant in volleyball

[Jacketlawyer]

[.

jacketlawyer -

W&L has had some recent success in men's and women's tennis as well as women's soccer, just to name a few sports.

Yeah, I know full well how good W&L womens' sports are.  I was writing more to the mens' without trying to be disrespectful to the women.