MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Jacketlawyer]

sludge - there's a reason why they call VWC's athletic facility "The Batten Center." Frank Batten and his wife gave a huge gift to build most of it. That's just good fund raising and President Greer is very good at it. 

Dr. Greer is the absolute best at it that I've seen.

[78rmc]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the Yellow Jackets have a 'Salem jinx'?  I'm not sure any other ODAC team under-performs in Salem to the degree that my beloved Jackets do? 

[78rmc]

78rmc - interestingly, both RMC and HSC passed on him. When we visited RMC, Coach Rhoades was unavailable but the janitor showed us around; when we visited HSC Coach Shaver was too busy to see him. In both instances, we had an appointment! But, that's ancient history now.

For what it's worth, I'm sorry to hear that.  I'm sure RMC and HSC have since realized their mistake, given 44's performance at VWC.

[Jacketlawyer]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the Yellow Jackets have a 'Salem jinx'?  I'm not sure any other ODAC team under-performs in Salem to the degree that my beloved Jackets do? 

We have the jinx.  Since '06, we've had problems.  In fact, said jinx prevented my attending the VWC game.  Had a bad feeling about it.  Salem is hardly a long trip for me, but I don't want to drive up there to watch us lose in the first game no matter who it is.

[Quakesball]

Interesting conversation ... thanks to all who've chimed in!

I can't speak to the situation for every ODAC or USASAC school, but I do have a few observations:

-Guilford's transformation has now been 10 years and seen two coaches.  Butch Estes (1999-2003) was an early phase to get different players and change the competitive spirit.  Tom Palombo (2003-present) is the long-range plan ... he's been the primary difference.
-Guilford's facilities are good ... not DIII's best ... but good.  Ragan-Brown is architecturally distinctive, it's on campus and it has good DIII capacity (2500).  The last ten years have seen a lot of improvements (new maple cushioned floor, new goals/supports, painting, overhead scoreboard, scorer's table, player's chairs and graphics ... things that catch the eye of a recruit and a fan.  (Brian Hamilton ... am I right?)
-Tradition.  Guilford's begun to more effectively use its earlier basketball success to its advantage ... if you break a record set by World B. Free, that's something!
-Success breeds success.  Clearly, the 2007 Elite 8 run, the three straight NCAA appearances and Ben Strong's POY award have helped create sustainable recruiting.  Good players want to go to a team that looks as though it's going to continue to be a winner!
-Ben Strong.  He came, he got better and he stayed four years.  Huge.
-Healthy rivalries.  For the longest time, it was "we play Guilford this weekend ... ho-hum".  Not any more.  GC gets up for Greensboro, VWC, HSC, RMC, Roanoke and others.   I bet some of the bigger MBB crowds at other venues this season were when the Quakers came to visit.
-Playing an early game on a more national stage.  Yes, they were all exhibitions, but the last four years, the Quakers have opened at Elon (2x), South Carolina and Davidson ... even winning one.  Recruits love that type of big-time experience and the players get better!

In my opinion, once you get past W&L, Guilford's on an academic and historical par with anyone in the ODAC.  The coaches can tell a recruit's parents "If your son comes to Guilford, he'll be in a beautiful environment and he'll get a great education.  And, oh yeah, he'll probably win a lot of games, too!"

Usually a regular reader on here, never been a poster, but I just wanted to touch on hasa's transitional quote on Guilford College Basketball and provide some insight from 2002 –forward on what it was like to be a basketball player Guilford.

As I was watching the alumni game and presentation, myself and several players from both the Estes and Palombo era were sitting there talking about where the program was, how it came to, and where it is now...     

As a person who played for both Estes and Palombo, coming in playing JV and eventually making my way to team captain, and then a year on the bench, there seems to be loads of history in there that I thought would be interesting to the readers on the board..     

The first thing that stands out about the player of this year, henson, sanborn, neville, rhett and so forth is that their is definately a sense of ownership in the team and the team unity. That has always been something that I have admired and has not always been there with the program. What I learned quickly through our Elite 8 run team, last years, and even this years, the players on the court are not always the best players, but those that are able to put it together the best. 

A typical recruiting classes regularly had about 15 guys or so, 10 maybe making it through preseason, 8 on the roster, and then you start your senior game maybe with 3 or them...  There were the years of Jevon Clarke, Eric Williams, Clarence Carter, .. all of which were unbelievable players , but the whole team concept was never there. Connor was any coaches dream kid but he the rest of the team just was never able to "gel." (This team pulled it together for one game against Hampden Sydney at home Monroe, Wilson, Thompson, Randall & Company for those that remember, we also had a big win up against Catholic up at Franklin and Marshall). There were recruits of Lawhorn (biggest athlete I've ever been around, Albert Haynesworth has nothing in size compared to the big G.), UNCW transfer Brandon Clifford (Former runner up in Mr. Basketball for NC), and my favorite, Sasha Kavocovic, another big time recruit that Estes was able to pull for some reason, had NBA range and offers out of high school out of Va Tech and UNCW. .....  Anyway it was Estes year, full of ups and downs, half the roster was left by the end of the year. Then came Palombo and he made do with the remaining players on the roster, we had a couple good wins including the Sydney win, a win at Va Wes, and the Catholic win, both previously listed. We also got lessons this year, in 40 point losses at Sydney and at Macon, where we were educated on the whole team concept.

After Palombo's first year there was a complete overhaul of players and the "type" of player that he brought in ...  The team still included some of the players listed above, but the general theme was about taking a sense of ownership in the program. Obviously it still took several years to pull this together. Coming in Ben was obviously going to be good, just needed to add weight and improve on some skills. It was funny during those times in practice, you had Clifford and Lawhorn in practice, Ben was never even close to be able to play in the paint, it was just too physical down there. (I always chuckled during the "8" run against physical games against Hopkins and Lincoln, where Ben displayed incredible toughness, that, maybe perhaps he got an early lesson from Clifford and Genaro) After the first several games, Clifford left the team and Ben's role significantly increased.

The core group that would lead the team to the "Eight" were all standing in the background during this time. Kimbrough was happy just to make Varsity, he was nervous about his opening weeks in practice and just couldn't seem to pull it together. Belkoski spent several games on JV, never dressed for Varsity until midway through the season, then during a "overhaul of starting lineup week," he found his way into some playing time. His scrappy play and defensive ability won him critical minutes. Burge and Snipes were around, but they started the year playing behind Kevin Smith (practically a human high light film in practice and in pick up, easily big time division 1 player, had solid offers from Texas A&M, Georgia, Tennessee, but chose to go to community college for various reasons, and eventually landed at Guilford), and it wasn't until around Christmas that Burge and Snipes started to break into the line-up. Still this years team still lacked a sense of togetherness and struggled to find itself. You had the unbelievable talent of Kerry Atkinson, yet another play who never seemed to "gel," but watching him on the court, he was freakishly athletic for D3 (ODAC freshmen of the year).  I remember these practice days in particular were "very competitive" to say the least, a roster of 20+ and everyday kids were bringing pretty much everything they had to the table. Other notable members included Campbell transfer Pat Stevenson, UNCA Andy Cooper Shape, and Livingston Ashford Gray. On paper the team looked unbelievable, but still, the whole "team ownership concept, togetherness... whatever" was not there.

The following season was a trimmed down roster, with the now in place starting five of Kimbrough (who won the start midway through his freshmen year), my good friend the "guns slinger" Snipes, Burge (a leader), Belkoski (Still one of the scrappiest players I've ever played against) and then of course the big man.  However still, it wouldn't' be until next year when we put things together. Edmond continued to be a stellar presence off the bench, then add into the equation Neville, now a sophomore, and new comers Henson, Sanborn, and one and done Justin Strickland, and we had formed an actual "team." As painful as it had been, and as long a road as it had been. ...     

On a comical note... there was a moment, on our way up to EMU/Bridgewater and on a previous trip, we had watched the recently released "You Me and Dupree".. great movie... well, we had enjoyed it thoroughly and on this particular trip, Parke surprised us with white tank tops that said "Im throwing 7 different kinds of smoke" (which was a theme in the movie).... Unknowingly, we would go on to win 7 more games to make it the elite 8.

I was kind of sitting there reminiscing all of this as we watched the alumni game. Other interesting notes during these several years were the overhaul of the locker rooms thanks to generous donors, as well as better travel arrangements, and new and improved game jerseys. Then came the scorers table, banners, and finally the new "jumbo tron."  The program had become more than just a prolonging of a high school career, it had become a program, and I just wanted to share, what I thought were some interesting notes on the transition, and how far Guilford has come these past few years. Anyways Ill be there tomorrow in Kentucky,... Go Quakes. Go Va Wes!

[baselinejam]

sludge - there's a reason why they call VWC's athletic facility "The Batten Center." Frank Batten and his wife gave a huge gift to build most of it. That's just good fund raising and President Greer is very good at it. 

I have noticed that reserved parking spot for Mrs. Batten.

[78rmc]

sludge - there's a reason why they call VWC's athletic facility "The Batten Center." Frank Batten and his wife gave a huge gift to build most of it. That's just good fund raising and President Greer is very good at it. 

I have noticed that reserved parking spot for Mrs. Batten.

Thanks for the heads up.  I'll use it the next time I'm there.

[donho]

  Good Luck to Guilford tomorrow night.

[78rmc]

  Good Luck to Guilford tomorrow night.

Don, you're too much, man.  Made me laugh on this day, another horrible day in the market.

[donho]

 78 PM coming your way

[pbrooks3]

Centre will provide video of the weekend games for those of you at Guilford and the ODAC interested. Check the links under Lammersk's post on the SCAC board for how to access video.

[donho]

 78rmc, lets hope the lady jackets give us something to smile about.

[gordonmann]

Programming note...

We will work with the NCAA to broadcast all the games from the Widener men's basketball regional this weekend where Virginia Wesleyan will try to advance to the sectionals.  You can tune into the games here.

[hasanova]

Centre will provide video of the weekend games for those of you at Guilford and the ODAC interested. Check the links under Lammersk's post on the SCAC board for how to access video.

Or listen to GC's broadcast here:  www.stretchinternet.com

[algernon]

I am new to this board, although I have been reading it for years, I have never written before.  So here's my two cents.  From the time VWC started to make an impact in the ODAC there has always been resentment.  Unfortunate but true.  VCW teams have always been given the cold shoulder and Coach Macedo rarely given the credit due him for what he has accomplished. Even winning a National Championship with a team no one thought could possibly win did not improve VWC's stature.  Sure, he has had to recruit locally because VWC does not have the endowments that some of the other ODAC schools do.  Yes, His players are mostly from poorer neighborhoods where not all the social graces have been taught.  The players come with baggage and problems , but they can do one thing.  Play basketabll.  Macedo gives them the chance to get a college degree and a better life.  I for one, think he has done a remarkable job.  The ODAC is a better conference for having VWC and Coach Macedo.  VWC will never fit the mold of HSC  or RMC.  Two fine schools with reputations to match.  VWC has threatend their storied  reputations of being the best basketball schools and a lot of people don't like that.  Yet all the ODAC schools have become better.  All of them..Look at Guiford's last 3-4 years and Washington and Lee's play in the ODAC tournament this year.   Roanoke  had a great year and many more will follow.   When  Mike Rhodes and  David Macedo entered the league as young coaches, I think that's when the changes began.  That was 10 years ago for Mike and 9 for David.

OdacSupporter .... I agree with a number of things you've said:

• Coach Macedo has done a REMARKABLE job.  The ODAC is a better conference for having VWC and Coach Macedo ... that is for sure!!
• VWC players can most definitely play basketball.

There are two things I don't agree with:

• "Coach Macedo has rarely been given the credit due him", that even "winning a National Championship did not improve VWC's stature."  I think almost everyone on this board is very impressed with Coach Macedo, especially since he led the Marlins to a National Championship.  Fabulous coach.
• "When  Mike Rhodes and  David Macedo entered the league as young coaches, I think that's when the changes began.  That was 10 years ago for Mike and 9 for David."  I'm not sure how long you have followed ODAC basketball, but I think it is clear that things began to change for the ODAC when Coach Tony Shaver brought the Tigers to national prominence in the mid-1990s, during the 5 or so years prior to the entrance of Mike Rhoades in 1999 or David Macedo in 2000.

Shaver, arriving in 1986, started off with a couple of 50-50 seasons and then 3 very good seasons that included an ODAC championship in 1989.  After that, beginning with the ODAC championship of 1991-1992, Shaver led the Tigers onto the national stage in a way that brought real attention to the ODAC.  Coach Shaver took the Tigers to the NCAAs in 10 of his final 12 years with program, leading the Tigers to the Sweet Sixteen 5 times in 12 years (1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003), and on to the Final Four in both 1999 and 2003.  (A certain member of the 1995 HSC team has asserted to me that the 1995 team was just as good as either the 1999 or 2003 Tigers, but had the misfortune of coming up against the eventual national champion, UW-Platteville, in the Elite Eight game at HSC, but who knows?)

By the time Coach Rhoades was hired in 1999, Shaver had already brought the ODAC to the Sweet Sixteen stage in 4 of the previous 6 years (1994, 1995, 1998, and 1999).  Rhoades brought the Yellow Jackets back to power within the ODAC, but they have not done particularly well in post-season play except for their nice run into the Sweet Sixteen in 2003.  (Some have referred to this as the Yellow Jackets' post-season jinx.)  Leave it to VWC's Coach Macedo to not only turn the Marlins into a major ODAC player by his 3rd or 4th year -- coaching them into the ODAC championship game in 2004 -- but also to bring the ODAC a National Championship in 2006 and another trip to the national finals in 2007!

With the Marlins' trip to the Final Four in 2007, the ODAC could then claim 4 trips to the Final Four in 9 years (HSC in 1999 and 2003, Marlins in 2006 and 2007).  Isn't that pretty amazing?  I wonder how many other D3 basketball conferences can claim 4 trips to the Final Four in 9 years at any time in recent D3 history?  I know the claim can be made by the NESCAC and WIAC ... but are there any other conferences that can make this claim?

When Tony Shaver took the Tigers to the Sweet Sixteen over and over again, 4 times in 6 years -- in 1994, 1995, 1998, and 1999 -- I think that is clearly when the changes began for the ODAC.