MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

jdubyadubya · November 21, 2008, 01:32:21 PM

oh boy, cat fight's abrewin'

PA Royals Fan · November 21, 2008, 01:43:39 PM

And I am just in the mood to feed the cat!

"It is a KNOWN fact that EMU has far better minority packaging than any other ODAC school" Really? And if so, GREAT! as far as the other things you know to be facts, I would like to see your sources. Granted I have not been at EMU for awhile, but I seriously doubt EMU is the team in the league to be accusing of sneaking unqualified students of any kind onto the basketball team.

3sdown · November 21, 2008, 03:30:56 PM

Yep...Here we go again!!!!!!! Minority grants, leadership grants, community service grants, SAT scores, etc. I am almost positive that very few of us (if any) on this board know what each school is offering in their financial aid packages to student-athletes. So it is a pointless argument b/c none of us on here can talk to facts outside of some gossip we have heard or something we know from previous history (often years removed). Really only coaches, assistant coaches, and student athletes know the ins and outs of a package from a particular school. And all of the coaches in the ODAC get screwed by their own admissions office, another ODAC schools admissions office, or another program. EMU may be getting someone before BC b/c of one reason, but then HSC is getting someone before BC. Not to mention some schools in the ODAC get screwed by Division I and Division II schools b/c of packages. To me it is a mute point and every coach must do the best they can, document issues, and deal within their own administration to make appropriate decisions for the future. But this has very little to do with the ultimate success of a coach and his results. Their are pros and cons on all sides.

Now onto the point about a requirement of a specific SAT score. Again very few (if any of us) know what a Division III school will accept as a minimum SAT/ACT. And if it is posted on some website, etc. as a minimum none of us on here should believe those statements. There are often guidelines, such as minimum SAT/ACT scores, for these admissions office at the ODAC schools but these are merely guidelines and are often open for negotiation given all of the circumstances (which is a long list). The bottom line is there is no minimum at any ODAC school and there is for the most part always an exception to the norm (rule).

Now regarding resources for the basketball team at EMU, such as a full-time assistant coach or a recruiting budget. This is an understandable issue, but it is not one to bring to this page and use as an issue for the lack of competitiveness, etc. The fact of the matter is that the administration of EMU makes its own decisions regarding resources for its sports teams. Go fuss at them in Harrisonburg not at the other teams in the ODAC that resource their teams better. And don't use it as an argument on here about performance of teams in the ODAC. Next thing we will have is the ODAC trying to legislate team budgets to bring some "liberal fairness" to ODAC basketball. Quite honestly, I am not interested in that or the shortfalls at a particular ODAC school in regards to resources b/c each school has shortcomings, but it all depends on how they are managed by the administration and coach.

xcoach · November 21, 2008, 04:22:04 PM

Well...sorry if I'm about to interfere with the politics of the day...but, I've crawled out of the shadows to make an observation about LC hoops before they tip it off tonight.
In spite of the annual lack of respect for LC, this is going to be a very good basketball team - an impact team.
There are several reasons to feel this way. Certainly, the fact that Lynchburg College has hired a new coach who has brought in a new system, philosophy, and enthusiasm adds weight to the optimism. More importantly, the players have bought into it.
Further, the return of All-ODAC performer Mason Woolridge and past All-Freshman honoree, Steven Echols, gives LC a potent inside-outside combination. Add to the mix the return of former starters Danny Reed, Jack Burgess, and Sean Sutherland, all of whom missed last season due to injury. Also returning are past starters Brad Puffenbarger and Jeff Langrock as well as KC Mendez and Eric Burnett who received a lot of court time last year. Have I mentioned that in spite of the experience, there isn't a Senior in the group?
I have had the pleasure of working with these kids and I can speak to their work ethic and character. This group of kids has gone through some very tough times on and off the court yet they have remained resilient. I look forward to following them closely this season and remember, as the W's add up...you heard it here first. You know...this team might even bring Scottie back to the forum.
Well...I'll head back to the shadows and watch. It's going to be an interesting year.

hasanova · November 21, 2008, 08:17:00 PM

Quakers hold off the U. of Texas-Tyler Patriots at the U. of Texas-Dallas, 75-66.

Guilford held a 32-29 halftime lead and led by as many as 14 in the second before UT-T closed to within four at 67-63. Henson (22), Bonner (17), Neville (14) and Sanborn (11/11) were all in double figures for the Quakers. Guilford improves to 3-0 and faces the host UT-Dallas Comets on the same court tomorrow night.

An interesting stat: Sanborn had six blocks. With one against Methodist and five against Greensboro, that gives him a dozen in three games. Nice.

A solid win on the road. Go Quakers!

Brian Hamilton · November 21, 2008, 10:22:38 PM

HSC loses a second games by 1. They lost to Maryville at LaGrange tonight. I forget the final score, but this team appears to be looking for its identity. I believe the wins will start coming, the team just has to keep playing hard. Remember, this is a team that lost three starters from last years team (of course Murray missed a majority of the season with injury). They play against LaGrange tomorrow, so maybe they can get Coach Vick his first win of the season.

HSCfan · November 21, 2008, 11:08:59 PM

Hey Brian! I was at the game today and the Tigers certainly play some suffocating defense. They dropped a 59-58 decision to a Maryville team that just lost to No. 13 Centre on a last second shot, and H-SC had many chances to win. Again, they struggled shooting today...shooting 27 percent. Listen to these stats though...

The Tigers outrebounded Maryville 40-33 and grabbed 18 o-boards...
Made more free throws (14-19) than Maryville shot (7-8)...
Won the turnover battle, with 9 TO's compared to 10 for MC...
Got off 15 more shots than the Scots...

But alas, they shot just 27 percent, missing a good amount of open looks. Turner King scored 24 on 8-15 and the rest of the starting five went 1-30!!!!

Those shots will fall, and as long as the Tigers keep playing that great D, they will start winning these games! Maryville is a tough, physical bunch and the Tigers should keep their heads up! To dominate a game like they did against a good team and fall by a point is tough, but perhaps signs of good things to come.

I also saw a bit of Virginia Wesleyan's loss to LaGrange. LaGrange was far less athletic than the Fish, but I felt like VWC got a bit out-executed in the early going. I don't know if it was the long trip or another factor, I know injuries and such were mentioned earlier for some guys, but they did not look like the Fish I'm used to seeing. Again though, this is early in the year and VWC has started slow before and finished super strong.

I was impressed, of course, with Fields. He is arguably one of the best players in the league hands down. I think the Achilles heel of VWC this year, however, could be their bench. Once the top-4 (Fields, Hassell, McDuffie, and Dixon) go to the bench, Wesleyan seemed to struggle to score a bit. Again, it is very early in the year and those new guys will certainly adjust quickly under Macedo, but I guess it was just weird seeing VWC without Fantin, TonTon and Tucker - three crucial parts to their success recently! They certainly have a tough matchup tomorrow with Maryville, and I'm excited to see H-SC against LaGrange, a team they handled last season by about 14, to see what progress has been made.

ODACfan4life · November 21, 2008, 11:42:16 PM

Guilford with a great start this season!! I guess thats why the coaches gave Guilford that #3 vote despite losing Strong. The confidence is carrying over to this season. Guilford guards are putting up impressive stats.

Thats a surprising loss for VWC at LaGrange but there have been alot of early season upsets this year across the top 25.

Someone mentioned that HSC starters other than Turner King were 1 for 30 from the field vs. Maryville. Other than King, the other four HSC starters are 4 for 44 from the field in their first two games. Other than King, HSC starting guards do not have one field goal in their first two games despite logging high minutes. Those are astonishing stats. Hopefully for HSC thats just a slump??

RMC put it on Messiah pretty good tonight.

EMU is still the sleeper team to watch. Overall, look for great parity in the ODAC.

3sdown · November 22, 2008, 07:50:58 AM

Yeah, RMC put it on Messiah, but unfortunately Wooster lost to Washington & Jefferson by 2. Thus, there will be no Top 25 clash at Wooster tonight between Wooster and RMC. Thus, RMC must concentrate on an unexpected opponent from all accounts. Good luck to the Yellow Jackets.

Note: HSC does certainly appear to be playing some great defense. If I were them I would be happy because I would rather be playing good defense and little offense than the opposite way around. Playing great defense will keep you in a lot more games with the chance of winning those games than the other way around. And I have a feeling that HSC will begin to shoot better (maybe not great, but better!). Matter of fact I don't think it can get much worse from looking at the stats.

HSCfan · November 22, 2008, 11:16:44 AM

I agree 3sdow

Quote from: 3sdown on November 22, 2008, 07:50:58 AM
Yeah, RMC put it on Messiah, but unfortunately Wooster lost to Washington & Jefferson by 2. Thus, there will be no Top 25 clash at Wooster tonight between Wooster and RMC. Thus, RMC must concentrate on an unexpected opponent from all accounts. Good luck to the Yellow Jackets.

Note: HSC does certainly appear to be playing some great defense. If I were them I would be happy because I would rather be playing good defense and little offense than the opposite way around. Playing great defense will keep you in a lot more games with the chance of winning those games than the other way around. And I have a feeling that HSC will begin to shoot better (maybe not great, but better!). Matter of fact I don't think it can get much worse from looking at the stats.

I agree 3sdown...no need for H-SC fans to panic because as long as teams are being held in the 50s and 60s, the Tigers will end up winning more of those games than not. There are too many good shooters on that roster to shoot 27 percent every night. It won't happen. Plus, Maryville is an NCAA tournament team every year, went 24-3 last year, and just lost to #13 Centre by 2 on a last second layup...I'm not a huge fan of moral victories, but for a team like H-SC at this point in the year, when you dominate the rebounding stats, make almost 2x as many FTs as your opponent attempts and only have 9 TOs against a Maryville, you have to take the positives out of the game.

If I have to be 0-2 at this point, I'd much rather be 0-2 allowing just 54.5 points a game.

HSCfan · November 22, 2008, 11:21:33 AM

I know it is early, but the ODAC sure is shaping up to be exciting!! Macon will be the lead dog, no doubt...but spots 2 thru 11 are wide open. Guilford and EMU appear to be asserting themselves early, but only ODAC play will tell the tale in the end.

I tell you what...the way some of you guys are putting up points, my Tigers had better start lighting up that scoreboard to keep up!!

ODACfan4life · November 22, 2008, 11:37:06 AM

3sdown, so RMC plays Washington & Jefferson? I like Washington & Jefferson over RMC in football, but I don't know about basketball? I'll go with RMC.

Lynchburg lost to Mt. St. Joseph. And Roanoke beat Johnson & Wales. Any details on those?

Who are the many good shooters on the HSC roster expected to turn it around?
Should be interesting game between VWC and Maryville. Perhaps a good comparison gauge insofar as HSC and VWC are playing the same teams in the same tournament.

scottiedoug · November 22, 2008, 03:37:29 PM

Maryville 66, VAWesleyan 58, Final.

Go GSAC!

baselinejam · November 22, 2008, 05:07:47 PM

Quote from: HSCfan on November 21, 2008, 11:08:59 PM
I think the Achilles heel of VWC this year, however, could be their bench. Once the top-4 (Fields, Hassell, McDuffie, and Dixon) go to the bench, Wesleyan seemed to struggle to score a bit. Again, it is very early in the year and those new guys will certainly adjust quickly under Macedo, but I guess it was just weird seeing VWC without Fantin, TonTon and Tucker - three crucial parts to their success recently!

What happened to those 6 freshman Pre-Season All-Americans?

btw - my Gennies are 2-2. Last year on this date they were 0-3. Today we won at Washington College on a buzzer beater by McHugh; after WC hit a 3 to go up by 2 at 3.6 seconds to go. Road wins are sweet!

Big Dog · November 22, 2008, 06:36:22 PM

Maryville College, bringing back memories of the 84-85 ODAC Champions, beat Hampden-Sydney and Virginia Wesleyan on a neutral floor this weekend. Wow what a surprise to everyone except those of us who follow both leagues. Maryville has been good for a long time, and even with a host of newcomers this year's edition, save the buzzer beater by Centre in game one, shows how far the Scots have progressed since practice began. Just a brief note on the ODAC board, a very good league.