MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Since the ODAC started having the Tuesday night play in games, has there been an upset?  I see a few potential games that could go either way tonight. BC/RC & W&L/EMU.

Welcome to the forum, formerbenchwarmer - excellent question.  I don't have time to research this morning, but maybe some of our posters with more time will.  I'd be interested as well.

[tigers]

Sorry - hate to go back to the discussion on the HSC/VWC game and the Macedo question that was raised previously...

But, if the Marlin players did in fact flick off the fans in the manner that Algernon (a faculty member at HSC) suggests - this is a much more serious issue, in my opinion.  I don't care what happened during the game or what the fans did - we must as a conference and as individual schools hold our players to a higher standard.  I would have hoped and expected Macedo and VWC (Joanne Renn, AD, who is outstanding as a person and administrator) to take decisive action.  This is not a 'gray' area - this should be a no tolerance type situation.  There is no defense to this behaviour - if it did go down in the manner that it did.  And, if Macedo and VWC failed to discipline - they have lost some of my respect as a consequence.

As for Macedo - he is a terrific coach, relentless recruiter and even a better person.  It has been some years since I knew him well, but we were colleagues and competitors at one stage.  I agree with all that has been said about him being an outstanding human and I hated to compete with him.  Having said that, Macedo does come from a 'blue-collar' background and relishes that to some extent.  That persona he likes his players and program to assume - tough, rugged, and perhaps less respectful of tradition in an effort to just be who you are.  So when VWC players from time to time act a little brutish it is a consequence of the tough and rumble attitude and character of his program, to a small extent - or at least was several years ago.  I think this tone is something that Macedo sets and has been a real tool to get his teams to be tough and to unify his players - some of whom are from rougher backgrounds.  This is not to say Macedo would ever condone the alleged behaviour of some of the marlins after the HSC game - but it may be a consequence that happens from time to time.  Again, I will say, if that incident of flicking off the crowd did happen - and Macedo is aware of it - I do not expect he would let it slide and either would Renn.

[Seatfiller]

My predictions for tonight:

EMU at Washington and Lee, EMU in a close one, W and L will have to slow this game down as they aren't a running team and make EMU play defense in the half court

SU at Lynchburg, Lynchburg in a blow out putting an end to SUs chances of winning an ODAC game in their first season

Roanoke vs. Bridgewater, Depends on how Kwasi Amponsai comes out on what could potentially be his last game, either way this game should be close

Emory and Henry vs. Guilford, Guilford will win if they have Pittman or not, whens the last time E and H made it to the salem civic center?

[DeWayneCarter]

Sorry - hate to go back to the discussion on the HSC/VWC game and the Macedo question that was raised previously...

But, if the Marlin players did in fact flick off the fans in the manner that Algernon (a faculty member at HSC) suggests - this is a much more serious issue, in my opinion.  I don't care what happened during the game or what the fans did - we must as a conference and as individual schools hold our players to a higher standard.  I would have hoped and expected Macedo and VWC (Joanne Renn, AD, who is outstanding as a person and administrator) to take decisive action.  This is not a 'gray' area - this should be a no tolerance type situation.  There is no defense to this behaviour - if it did go down in the manner that it did.  And, if Macedo and VWC failed to discipline - they have lost some of my respect as a consequence.

As for Macedo - he is a terrific coach, relentless recruiter and even a better person.  It has been some years since I knew him well, but we were colleagues and competitors at one stage.  I agree with all that has been said about him being an outstanding human and I hated to compete with him.  Having said that, Macedo does come from a 'blue-collar' background and relishes that to some extent.  That persona he likes his players and program to assume - tough, rugged, and perhaps less respectful of tradition in an effort to just be who you are.  So when VWC players from time to time act a little brutish it is a consequence of the tough and rumble attitude and character of his program, to a small extent - or at least was several years ago.  I think this tone is something that Macedo sets and has been a real tool to get his teams to be tough and to unify his players - some of whom are from rougher backgrounds.  This is not to say Macedo would ever condone the alleged behaviour of some of the marlins after the HSC game - but it may be a consequence that happens from time to time.  Again, I will say, if that incident of flicking off the crowd did happen - and Macedo is aware of it - I do not expect he would let it slide and either would Renn.

I'm sorry, but none of VWC's players are "rough" or "brutish". Coach Macedo doesn't require his players to play this way, but he does require his players to play harder and be mentally tougher than opponents. And none of these guys on this team, not DJ Woodmore, Chris Astorga, Tre Ford, Chris Teasley, Colby Heard, or pretty much any of the guys who get the PT are from rough backgrounds. I know all of the Marlin players as well as Coach Macedo personally and have for years. But you are right about the fact that Macedo and Joan Renn wouldn't condone those activities. The chant that had been said by allegedly 100 people (when in fact it was a small group of students, around 5-7) was stopped by Coach Renn as soon as she heard it. So I assure you that neither one of them are just letting VWC players and fans just do and say what they want. And like I also stated earlier, this is not the first time there has been an incident involving the HSC fans. VWC doesn't have these problems at ANY other school in the ODAC. Not Randolph, RMC, Roanoke, E&H, Shenandoah, EMU, Guilford, Bridgewater, Lynchburg, not anywhere. The student section or fans haven't tried to fight at any road game PERIOD, but at Hampden-Sydney College. So if we're going to be so quick to call into question, we need to call the administrators at Hampden-Sydney into question as well, since they are responsible for the students who feel the need to try to fight a team that just eeked out a victory at their place.

[Brian Hamilton]

DeWayne,
Lets not act like VWC hasn't had problems elsewhere.  A number of posters from other ODAC schools and even schools VWC has played in the NCAAs has commented on both their on court and after game antics.  I completely agree that what happened at HSC should never have happened and that HSC students played a part in it, but the students never crossed a line in terms of chants (that I heard) and did the same things that they have done against every other ODAC opponent for the last 12 years.  We've not had any problems with any of the other schools.  I have been to HSC games at GC and RMC and would argue that how they acted at those games is on par with what I have seen at HSC.  Both sides have responsibility and both sides allowed emotion to get the better of them.  Hopefully it won't happen again, but I think it is time for us to stop talking about this and ignore anyone else who brings it up.  I know VWC, HSC and Brad Bankston have all checked into this and will handle the situation appropriately.

[DeWayneCarter]

VWC has NOT had problems with the fans elsewhere. I was a part of the program for 4 years and have been closely connected since 2010, and there have been no incidents with fans at any other school in the ODAC. Also, what after game antics from VWC have been talked about in the NCAA tournament? This is news to me.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Jordan Snipes shot was incredible to say the least, but I have to go with TONTON Balenga's shot with 2.1 seconds on the clock to win the National Championship, and a great screen from Tyler Fantin to set it up.  I just watched it today at the VWC site under Marlin Video's.  I guess we all have a favorite shot that we remember and will never forget.

Don't forget the shot in the corner at VWC in the Elite 8 that same year where Balenga buried an open three at the buzzer from a terrific feed to get to Salem in the first place - I was crouched five feet from Balenga when he nailed that shot.

[RandomWildcat11]

While I agree that Harrison's play has been impressive, he is not even the best big man on the team.  Kobi Williamson is much more impressive and physically dominating.  Colton is close to 10ppg more, more rebounds per game at a height of 6 feet on a good day, most steals per game.  Harrison simply cannot play 30 minutes a game, his body or conditioning does not allow him to. 

[algernon]

RandomWildcat  .... Let me assure you that I have heard no discussion at Hampden-Sydney regarding the best player on the Tigers.  It is just obvious.  Harrison is hitting 60.8% of his shots, despite being guarded as closely as he is.  When he gets the ball inside, he is very difficult to stop.  Have you seen the Tigers play?

I say that with tremendous respect for Khobi, an All-ODAC 1st Teamer in my book. 

When Harrison has played 30+ minutes this year (4 games), he has averaged 18.8 PPG.  He leads the team in minutes/game, at 23 minutes, and I am sure that he, Khobi, and another player or two would be regularly getting 30 or more minutes a game if they played on a team with less depth.  Why would Coach Vick play Harrison or any of his players more than he is?

All of the players understand the value to the team of going 9-12 deep.  The 10th player (in playing time) has played every game this season and is averaging 12.8 minutes/game.  Even the 12th player (in playing time) has played 22 of the 25 games and is averaging 8.8 minutes/game.

[FISHTANKFAN]

 We can all state our favorites here, who and why we believe they should be POY, but utimately it will be the coaches of the ODAC who will make the final decision, as it should be.  It won't be a fan based decision, but one based on who the coaches feel was the most outstanding and valuable player in the conference.  Good luck to all the nominated players.                                                               

[FISHTANKFAN]

 Dave, I remember that shot of TONTON's also, he just loved the ball when it came down to "crunch" time.  Adair was relentless in his defense and desire to win, but TON just loved the limelight and the excitement of the game.  They were a great combo.

[tigerfanalso]

If HSC and VWC both get beat early in the ODAC tourney, which one receives a bid from the NCAA ? Or could the answer be both and ODAC gets three teams in ?

[algernon]

Since the ODAC started having the Tuesday night play in games, has there been an upset?  I see a few potential games that could go either way tonight. BC/RC & W&L/EMU.

The ODAC started the play-in games when the conference expanded from 10 to 11 teams in 2009, (with the addition of Randolph).  The #6 and #7 seed have won their home games all four years, but the game between #8 and #9 has gone both ways:

2009 ODAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP First Round - #6, #7, and #8 win and go to Salem
#11 Lynchburg at #6 Hampden-Sydney
#10 Randolph at #7 Virginia Wesleyan
#9 Emory & Henry at #8 Washington and Lee

2010 ODAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP First Round - #6, #7, and #8 win and go to Salem
#11 Emory & Henry at #6 Washington and Lee
#10 Roanoke at #7 Lynchburg
#9 Randolph at #8 Bridgewater

2011 ODAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP First Round - #6, #7, and #9 win and go to Salem
#11 Emory & Henry at #6 Hampden-Sydney
#10 Bridgewater at #7 Roanoke
#9 Washington and Lee at #8 Lynchburg

2012 ODAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP First Round - #6, #7, and #9 win and go to Salem
#11 Roanoke at #6 Randolph
#10 Bridgewater at #7 Eastern Mennonite
#9 Washington and Lee at #8 Emory & Henry

With the expansion from 11 to 12 teams this year, we get the addition of #12 at #5.

[jknezek]

You have to admire W&L's consistency!

[algernon]

If HSC and VWC both get beat early in the ODAC tourney, which one receives a bid from the NCAA ? Or could the answer be both and ODAC gets three teams in ?

Both have an excellent chance, if they get to the semis.  The ODAC would likely get 3 teams in.