MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

Brian Hamilton · December 18, 2008, 12:07:53 PM

HSCFan,

Do you have any idea why Jyri Laakso did not play last night. Is he hurt or is coach just trying to surround King with more shooters to make it tougher for other teams to double and triple team him? I would also mention that Karlis Trops return will also help HSC. He is another potential scoring threat who can help to take some pressure off of Turner. I like the defensive intensity we are seeing from the team and I just hope that the team can start to "gel" offensively.

HSCfan · December 18, 2008, 02:05:13 PM

Hey Brian,

Jyri was inactive with a minor injury that I don't think is too serious. Nothing is certain in college basketball and Maryland Bible recently beat CNU in Newport News, but I wouldn't be shocked if Jyri sat out Saturday's game.

Karlis, who has been out of the lineup since the first half of Hampden-Sydney's second game of the year with Maryville with an orbital bone fracture, will be a HUGE offensive help for the Tigers. He is a shot maker, but also a tough, rugged slasher that can clean the boards. His presence has been sorely missed. Remember, he put up two double-doubles against VWC last season, including 18 points at home against the Fish. He will help the struggling H-SC offense immensely.

HSCfan · December 18, 2008, 02:11:18 PM

Hey Hasa!

Just like you, fitting in that subtle Guilford jab! I certainly believe that if Clay can shake that "streaky" label, which he has done so quite well to this point in the non-conference portion of the season, he should be in the discussion. However, I would have to throw him in that situational category. King is really the only consistent offensive option for the Tigers; Short the only floor general for the Jackets with another handful of responsibilities pegged to his jersey...Henson has the rare DIII luxury of a 6-10 space-eater in the middle who, regardless of whether or not he is as good or close to as good as Strong, requires a heck-of-a-lot of attention, which gives Henson a few more opportunities and an easier work load. I think people recognize that and may slight Henson a bit for some of his performances. However, if he can continue to be the man throughout the conference slate against some great defenders that he will see, he should be in the discussion...fair assessment?

tigerfanalso · December 18, 2008, 02:49:58 PM

I've only seen one game this year, HSC first home game; so I'm totally out of the loop. Listening & reading it appears that RMC is the best team in the conference, followed by Guilford with VWC, EMC, HSC, Roanoke lined up to compete for spots 3 through 6 and maybe improve enough to give RMC and Guilford a run in the ODAC tourney. Is this accurate or are there other teams that should be mentioned?

Hopefully my schedule will lighten up a little and allow me to watch some games in January & Feb.

Happy Holidays to all !!!!!

hasanova · December 18, 2008, 05:13:40 PM

Quote from: HSCfan on December 18, 2008, 02:11:18 PM
Hey Hasa!

Just like you, fitting in that subtle Guilford jab! I certainly believe that if Clay can shake that "streaky" label, which he has done so quite well to this point in the non-conference portion of the season, he should be in the discussion. However, I would have to throw him in that situational category. King is really the only consistent offensive option for the Tigers; Short the only floor general for the Jackets with another handful of responsibilities pegged to his jersey...Henson has the rare DIII luxury of a 6-10 space-eater in the middle who, regardless of whether or not he is as good or close to as good as Strong, requires a heck-of-a-lot of attention, which gives Henson a few more opportunities and an easier work load. I think people recognize that and may slight Henson a bit for some of his performances. However, if he can continue to be the man throughout the conference slate against some great defenders that he will see, he should be in the discussion...fair assessment?

Hey HSCfan! Yeah, I'm "busted" ... although I'm not sure how subtle some of my jabs are. lol Your analysis is fair, I think. First, at 6'10", Sanborn is a DIII rarity and, while he's not yet in Strong's category, he can score (28 in one game this year and consistently in double figures). Sanborn, however, is definitely a rebounder and a shot-blocker. Second, one key person on the Quakers' starting five you did not mention is Rhett Bonner, who was a 2007-08 second-semester addition to the team after starting his career at now DI Presbyterian. Rhett's led the team in scoring twice out of eight games and regularly gets 12-20 even when Henson is getting as many or more ... so, ignore Bonner at your peril! Third, I admit Henson's a bit streaky (he got 33 versus Averett and then tanked with 6 against NC Wesleyan his next outing!), but when he's "hot" he can take over a game by hitting 7, 8 or 9 threes in a game ... I've seen it happen more than once.

The three guys I just mentioned dominate the scoring for the Quakers, sometimes accounting for 85-90% of the offensive total. As a team, however, Guilford has great role players who complement each other well ... they're fun to watch. You're probably right when you say Henson will not be POY, but I definitely think he'll be on the ballot for 1st Team All-ODAC. I'm looking forward to seeing HSC come to Greensboro ... the Tigers and the Quakers consistently have some great games!

sludge · December 18, 2008, 06:58:12 PM

Strangely, I agree with almost everything that's been said here for a while.

Yep, Sanborn Space Eater for Guilford is really good. And Henson might be the most aerobically and anaerobically fit player in the conference. He will run your but ragged. With the cast off characters, Guilford is a really cool team this year.

The stats on that win make against McDaniel made it look like a road win, but not a work of art you would hang on your wall. Team shooting not so good, and McDaniel won the boards. (!) From the stats, it looked like Guilford was agressive enough to get to the line alot, and they did great stuff there. That made the difference. I think we'll need a different level of play when the ODAC gets crankin'.

Those Guilford-HSC games are tremendous.

People aren't talking about Roanoke much as a challenger to RM-C, but they seem like one to me.

I'm wondering how Roanoke is going to do.

hasanova · December 18, 2008, 07:52:32 PM

Quote from: sludge on December 18, 2008, 06:58:12 PM
People aren't talking about Roanoke much as a challenger to RM-C, but they seem like one to me. I'm wondering how Roanoke is going to do.

You know, sludge, I was thinking the same thing ... Roanoke is always tough, but any school that starts 8-1, 2-0 must have good players, coaching and team chemistry! All I know is the Maroons have historically had Guilford's number ... even last season when the Quakers were 16-2 in ODAC play, one of those two losses was to the Maroons!

hasanova · December 18, 2008, 08:06:02 PM

Name changes in sports - one from an ODAC school:

http://sports.aol.com/photos/name-changes

tigerfanalso · December 19, 2008, 11:42:45 AM

HSCFan

Any idea how University of the South is doing this year under Coach Smith ?
What league do they play in ?
Is the league comparable to the ODAC ?

Happy Holidays & Go Tigers !!!!!

hasanova · December 19, 2008, 12:23:11 PM

I know your question was directed at HSCfan, but it piqued my curiosity:

Sewanee (the University of the South) is off to a slow 2-7, 0-2 (SCAC) start. The Tigers beat LaGrange and Otterbein while losing to Centre and DePauw in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The SCAC is a geographically broad and widely respected academic conference, but hasn't had quite as much NCAA tournament basketball success the past few years as the ODAC.

HSCfan · December 19, 2008, 01:26:06 PM

Thanks for the assist hasanova...that feed was directly in the shooting pocket and into my one-two for the jumper!

Certainly a tough start for the purple brand of Tigers out west, but it seems as though Sewanee has been very competitive in several of the games they have lost. Again, new coach, new system, everyone trying to get used to one another...and on top of everything else, I'm about 100% positive that Sewanee didn't get to the 10-win mark last season.

I think the true measure of success of the Smith era in Sewanee will be their improvement over the next several years.

tigerfanalso · December 19, 2008, 03:38:20 PM

Hasa & TigerFan

Thank you guys for the feedback. Hopefully Bubba can right the ship and build the program into a consistent winner.

I look forward to watching HSC play the Quakers this year. Sounds like Guilford is tough again this year. Seems like you guys reload every year without missing a beat. I know Coach Vick will do the same in time @ HSC which will only improve the quality of play in the ODAC. I think the future is very bright for the conference and I can't wait to sit back and watch it happen.

Good luck to all and again, Happy & Healthy Holiday Days !!!!

hasanova · December 20, 2008, 03:51:22 PM

Maryland Bible College is leading at the half at Hampden-Sydney, 32-25. It looks like MBSC is trying to prove their win at CNU was not a fluke ...

good to see the Tigers rebound in the second half to take a 57-54 victory.

HSCfan · December 22, 2008, 11:23:37 AM

Once again, the trend continues. Karlis Trops' return is now extremely vital to the Tigers' offensive hopes this season. Turner King drops 24 and no other Tiger reaches double figures. King is absolutely phenomenal. Maryland Bible has some very good athletes (I can see how they beat CNU because they are patient offensively and can exploit any breakdown with quickness...Terry Hosley is special at the guard spot for them). King absorbed in-your-face, 94-foot pressure from MBC all night and STILL shot 10-17 without forcing any shots...willing the Tigers to a victory.

He is HAVING to score 20+ a night for the Tigers to win and he is delivering EVERY time albeit shooting 60 percent from the floor as a guard in eight games!! Big men strive for those numbers! No one has been more impressive thus far. Period.

ODACHOOPS · December 22, 2008, 01:51:31 PM

Yea, If it was MVP of the ODAC King would win it hands down just because the Tigers may not have a win on their schedule without him and I am serious about that..he is hands down the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER in the odac, but since its called "player of the year", someone on a better team that is older may sneak away with it, either way its gonna be a dawg fight down to the wire for the award.