MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

VWC, UMHB, Emory, CNU, HSC, Concordia, RMC, Randolph

[FISHTANKFAN]

This is the last I will have to say on the subject. I never said VWC was better or had accomplished more than RMC.  I merely stated they won and moved on as did RMC. I also stated earlier that VWC has been erratic this year losing some unexpected games, however, their schedule was strong enough and they won the clutch games needed to be ranked high in the South. Our first loss to Macon was by 3 points and we did not shoot well...more credit to RMC in that one. In the the ODAC tourney,  we were without the services of DJ Woodmore, who like Cabrini's star MAY have made a difference in the game's outcome. We will never know. My whole point was that HSC, by playing a weaker out of conference schedule hurt them overall in the rankings.
It was compounded when they lost to VWC late in the regular season and to RMC in the semifinals of the ODAC tourney. VWC beat Guilford, Randolph, HSC, and CNU when they were ranked which helped us.  I agree that RMC has done a superb job the last few weeks and especially in Post season. I have never stated that VWC was the best in the league this year. There was great parity in the ODAC and many teams surprised and upset favorites.  It is understandable that you were upset by the pairings of HSC / VWC/ and RMC but that has always been out of anyone's control. Many other brackets had to face ranked teams early and while I think we would all like to see a bit more fairness in the pods, as Brian stated, it is what it is.  I agree with his assessment regarding facing certain teams and how they match up. We all love our own teams and would like to see them all advance each year. I am sure HSC is on their way up. Know that we were all rooting for all 4 ODAC teams  to advance, but it just didn't happen. Comparing each team's records and schedules now will not change anything. It is best to let any hard feelings go and root for those left in the tourney. Go RMC , go Marlins!

[algernon]

VWC, UMHB, Emory, CNU, HSC, Concordia, RMC, Randolph

Thanks!  It must have been hard to make a call on the order of the top 5 teams.  None of them had the kind of really outstanding record of St. Thomas or Amherst. ... but it doesn't matter because, for the Pool C bids, VWC quickly came off the table, then UMHB, then Emory ... followed by HSC and Randolph.  Five of the nineteen Pool C bids came from the South, and the only one that would have been a close call would have been the last one, Randolph.

[Ralph Turner]

Pool A's are in bold;  Pool B is in italics.
VWC, UMHB, Emory, CNU, HSC, Concordia, RMC, Randolph.  Unranked Pool A's:  Trinity, Spalding  Unranked Pool B:  Centre

Imagine. Like algernon said, 5 Pool C bids from the South Region!

[Tiger Mic]

I don't think this been brought up yet, but I saw this morning that Paul Russo has resigned as coach of Emory & Henry.   He seems like a nice young guy who was in a difficult spot.  Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.

[donho]

 Gotta love the NESCAC site, seems some at amherst are counting their chickens already!!!!! Really!!!

[Seatfiller]

I don't think this been brought up yet, but I saw this morning that Paul Russo has resigned as coach of Emory & Henry.   He seems like a nice young guy who was in a difficult spot.  Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.

I saw that yesterday its a shame he was a pretty good coach and kept them in most games this season but they could never really pull out any close games. I'm pretty sure recruiting will kill you at Emory and Henry.

[madzillagd]

Gotta love the NESCAC site, seems some at amherst are counting their chickens already!!!!! Really!!!

I haven't seen RMC play this year so I can't speak to their team at all. I've watched Amherst at least 10 times this year and as a Williams supporter it pains me to say this, but they are the best team in the country in my opinion.  I've watched St Thomas and they too are a great team, but I don't think they have the weapons that Amherst has this year.  Quite frankly, Amherst will have to beat themselves to lose, it won't be because another team beat them.  If they are firing on all cylinders like they have been the last several weeks I don't think they lose a game the rest of the way out.

Consider this... Amherst has had 7 different players score 20 points in a game this year.  That's a lot of weapons that can go off at any time and that's what makes them so dangerous.  RMC by comparison has only 3 guys that have scored 20 in a game and combined they've only done it 6 times.  RMC will have to have a tremendous defensive effort to slow down Amherst but what we've seen is that even when you put them up against a great defensive team like Midd, they still have enough to get it done. 

They play the games for a reason though so you never know what might happen but I'd have to agree I think Amherst is going to pull this one out at home. 

[DeWayneCarter]

I haven't seen Amherst play this year, but I know this, they better have some big boys inside bc RMC is going to pound it inside all night and dare you to stop them. And they are a very physical team on defense that will try and wear you  down. Smashmouth basketball.

[madzillagd]

I don't think they will push around Kaasila who is 6'9, 260 (although I suspect he's heavier than that) but the issue for Amherst could be that there is only one of him.  He has avoided foul trouble most of the year but he's not very quick so repeated attacks could put him at risk of getting in foul trouble.  Off the bench they typically go with a much thinner freshman who is 6'7, 225, Pollack who is a nice shot blocker and defender but doesn't have the body like Kaasila. 

RMC may be able to pound it inside consistently but they better keep Amherst off the 3 point line to be able to win.  Twelve times this year they've made at least 10 3s in a game. Amherst makes 8 3s a game compared to RMC's 4, and scores 84 ppg compared to 70 ppg.  On their current 20 game win streak, Amherst has only been held to less than 70 points two times - and they won those games by 8 and 17.  They are on a roll.   

From the accounts on the NEWMAC board it sounded like WPI got some good looks but didn't knock them down from deep.  I think the difference between WPI and Amherst though is Amherst guards will penetrate and score at a much better rate than the WPI guards so if they are not hitting 3s they can still score.

Btw - I'd love to see Amherst lose but I just don't see it happening this week unfortunately. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

VWC, UMHB, Emory, CNU, HSC, Concordia, RMC, Randolph

Thanks!  It must have been hard to make a call on the order of the top 5 teams.  None of them had the kind of really outstanding record of St. Thomas or Amherst. ... but it doesn't matter because, for the Pool C bids, VWC quickly came off the table, then UMHB, then Emory ... followed by HSC and Randolph.  Five of the nineteen Pool C bids came from the South, and the only one that would have been a close call would have been the last one, Randolph.

On Match-Up Monday's Hoopsville, Mike DeWitt indicated that Randolph and Rutgers-Newark (no particular order) were the last two in.

[lefrakenstein]

As an Amherst fan, I would be shocked if the game this weekend is not tight. I would say that Amherst deserves to be a favorite, but not a large one. Most of the posters on the NESCAC board who have been counting chickens are not Amherst supporters. As a whole, we're a nervous bunch, especially after being upset in the Sweet 16 last year.

Here's a quick run-down of our team:

Aaron Toomey (PG) - NESCAC player of the year. Averaged 17.4 ppg, 5 a/pg and a little under 5/rpg. He's a very strong shooter, especially from long range (43%, despite an early-season slump) and the stripe (91%). He will also get into lane and is very good and drawing contact and getting to the line. He's not a fantastic man-to-man defender, but he does come up with a lot of steals. Amherst switches very aggressively, which can confuse opponents, but also sometimes leads to mismatches.

Willy Workman (F) - Workman is the second best player on the team. He basically does a little bit of everything and stuffs the stat sheet. He can drive the ball or spot up . He handles the ball well and is second on the team in assists. He is the team's leading rebounder with nearly 8 per game. He is far and away the team's best man-to-man defender. Just a swiss army knife of a player.

Allen Williamson(F) - Williamson is an extremely athletic senior who has come on late in the year. Known for his poster-level dunks, but has become a serviceable shooter this year as well. MVP of the NESCAC tournament. Equally likely to get 5 or 18 points in a game. When he is on, the Jeffs go from tough to beat to extremely tough to beat. Sort of the team's x-factor.

Pete Kaasila (C) - 'Big Pete' is just that - very big. Listed at 6-9, 260, but I would be surprised if he were that lithe. On defense, provides a big tree trunk in the lane and alters a lot of shots. Also very effective on the low block on the offensive end. He's shooting 64% for the year. If teams don't front him or prevent him from getting entry passes close to the hoop in some way, he'll devastate you with his jump hook.

Tom Killian (G/F) - Killian is a solid glue player. He's not going to light anyone up, but he gives the team quality minutes. He can shoot it from the outside (36% on threes) and is a very respectable rebounder.

David Kalema (G) - Kalema is a lightning-quick guard who loves to drive to the basket. Although he's tiny, (listed at an extremely charitable 6'0) he finishes well in the paint. (he had an incredible dunk last weekend, for instance). The big improvement in his game this year is that he can all of a sudden shoot lights out (45% on 3s), a somewhat remarkable development from a year ago. Now that teams have to play up on him, his driving ability is even more valuable. Turns the ball over a little too much. Too small to be an elite defender, but extremely pesky.

Connor Green (G) - Freshman gunner. Will shoot from anywhere. (41% from 3). Big body who defends and rebounds well. Minutes have tightened up for him in the post-season.

Ben Pollack (C) - Kaasila's back up. Won't ever see them both on the court at the same time. Not nearly as polished offensively, but gives you at least 85% of Kaasila's defense and rebounding.


It's a fun team to watch and I'm sure it will be a barn-burner. Looking forward to it.

[rmc1982]

We are fortunate to have the quality of a Marty Wilson !  Lets go Jackets!!!!!

Marty's ALRIGHT in every way!! He was a couple of years behind me at RMC and was the B-Ball manager!! Great guy!!

[rmc1982]

Nobody from R-MC is certainly gonna talk alot of smack-That's just not our way.....We'll let our play on the court do our talking.You guys are probably bigger, better, and it's in your house.That being said.....we play as tough a schedule as you do, and I GUARANTEE you that there's a whole lot more pressure on you than us! You're gonna have TO BEAT US- we certainly aren't gonna roll over and die just because you're big mighty Amherst...
.....We may lose saturday afternoon.We've been shooting extremely well all tournament(s) and also playing GREAT gut up help out defense.We've also been pounding the ball inside and rebounding very well. If you, mighty Amherst, stop us from doing the things we do well then you will emerge victorious and all will say you deserve it, even us........But you're gonna have TO TAKE IT.....Giving games away isn't Nathan Davis' way-nor is it our kid's way either. I guess we'll see by saturday night... ....GEAUX JACKETS.....GO MARLINS!!

[FISHTANKFAN]

 DITTO ...What he said  and actually RMC played a tougher schedule this year.  According to Dave McHugh, RMC had the highest SOS in the country.  Good luck RMC !  And to my Marlins..take it to Williams and show them what the ODAC is all about..!!!!