MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

^ yeah, it was hard to watch.  Not sure what happened with the Jackets (besides turnovers & not hitting the FT's which never helps!) but Frostburg State didn't look like a 3-22 team yesterday.

Hoping R-MC can regroup & get it together for 2 tough ODAC contests ahead this week.

GO JACKETS!!!

How about wearing the Marlins out on Wednesday before they hit Guilford's Ragan-Brown Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon!  lol

Not surprised that RMC got a win, but I am surprised at the low 55-47 score from the beach.  Looks like the ODAC is off to a "wacky" start.  Marlins visit Guilford on Saturday afternoon!  Congratulations to the Jackets for last night's win.

[flightless bird fan]

EMU squeaks by W&L.  In the video after the game, Coach Dean mentions that sometimes the team that is better for most of the game does not win.  David Falk had 19 points and 16 rebounds and made the free throw, even though he was only shooting 24% from the line.  http://www.emuroyals.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/20141203eqlo58

[algernon]

Last night's games ....

#26 Randolph-Macon (4-2) defeated #7 Virginia Wesleyan (4-1) by a solid margin.
#32 Lynchburg (6-0) beat Randolph (3-2) by 19 points!
Hampden-Sydney (4-0) squeaks out a win over Roanoke (3-2).
Eastern Mennonite (4-1) barely gets by Washington & Lee (2-5).
Bridgewater (2-2) wins by 9 over Shenandoah (1-5).
Guilford (5-1) gets a win over Methodist (2-4).
Ferrum (4-3) beat hapless Emory & Henry (0-6).

How do you all think the team's performances so far match up with the coaches' Preseason Poll? 

2014-15 ODAC MEN'S BASKETBALL PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes

   1. Randolph-Macon (10)    120 pts.
   2. Virginia Wesleyan (2)    111 pts.
   -----
   3. Eastern Mennonite    91 pts.
   3. Guilford                     91 pts.
   5. Hampden-Sydney      87 pts.
   -----
   6. Roanoke                   66 pts.
   7. Lynchburg                   64 pts.
   8. Randolph                   53 pts.
   -----
   9. Washington and Lee    38 pts.
   10. Bridgewater           35 pts.
   -----
   11. Shenandoah           22 pts.
   12. Emory & Henry       14 pts.

I'm impressed with what the Lynchburg Hornets have been doing ..... In addition to last night's lopsided victory over Randolph, as they've also beaten CNU (4-1) by 24 points, Ferrum (4-3) by 20 points, and Mary Washington (0-6, but stayed within 5 points of both RMC and HSC) by by 18 points.  They've got a big Saturday game against the Yellow Jackets in Ashland.

[CMR]

RMC - No leadership. no shooters, no inside play, no defense.

[HSCDad]

HSC won 82-72 over E&H.  Really slow start with only 26 1st half points and down 3 at halftime - must have been hard trip on road to get there in rain - had 56 points in second half so came alive.  E&H was hot with 3 pointers until late in game.  Mike Murray had great game with 10 for 10 from foul line - 6 for 10 from the floor and 9 rebounds.  Duncan had 18 and Guimaraes had 12 (6-10 from foul line) - good balance scoring

[algernon]

At Emory and Henry, the guy who got 9 rebounds and led both teams in rebounding is 5'9" (if that).   

[y_jack_lok]

RMC - No leadership. no shooters, no inside play, no defense.

I didn't get to see today's game, but there has to be some defense if they held LC to their lowest scoring output of the season and 19 points below their season average. The leadership might be a concern but is harder to gauge because it isn't just a factor on the floor in games -- it also comes into play in practice, in the locker room, and off the court. From what I've seen online Rip Engle gives the impression of actually trying to direct the offense, when he's in, more than anyone else. But there's more to leadership than that. There are eight seniors on the team. If there's really no leadership, that's a problem.

[CMR]

RMC - No leadership. no shooters, no inside play, no defense.

I didn't get to see today's game, but there has to be some defense if they held LC to their lowest scoring output of the season and 19 points below their season average. The leadership might be a concern but is harder to gauge because it isn't just a factor on the floor in games -- it also comes into play in practice, in the locker room, and off the court. From what I've seen online Rip Engle gives the impression of actually trying to direct the offense, when he's in, more than anyone else. But there's more to leadership than that. There are eight seniors on the team. If there's really no leadership, that's a problem.

Yes, you are correct on leadership, it's many things.  I refer to the on court leadership that's missing.  The offense often looks confused and there is no 'go to' guy, even though Hamilton has done that at times.  My expectations were very high for this team, and so far I've been disappointed.  But, it's still early and I'm sure Coach is working hard to resolve any issues.  They have defeated two undefeated teams this week, so maybe it's just me.  Even with the wins, I was hoping for more consistent play.

[hscathletics]

Tigers don't play again until the 18th when they hosted their annual holiday tournament, but this time it's before Christmas instead of after since they are in Vegas/California at the time we normally host it.

Alas, one neat story line is that Sewanee will be in the tournament this year, who is coached by Bubba Smith, who was the coach at H-SC before Dee Vick got the job for those of you that don't know. Will be Coach Smith's first time back at H-SC and his first time coaching against them if they both win or both lose on the first day of the tournament.

[flightless bird fan]

Just got around to this.  Another close game for the Royals, ended up one short against Roanoke.  http://www.emuroyals.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/20141206lqztsk

[hasanova]

Quakers over NC Wesleyan last night in Greensboro, 75-70.  Guilford was led by Rice (16), McCarthy (16) and Hyatt (15) ... Dortch-Jones had 29 for the Bishops, 24 in the 2nd half.  It was truly a game of two halves, with GC winning the first half 47-26 and NCWC the 2nd, 44-28.  Guilford is now 12-5 all-time versus the Bishops and 5-0 on the year versus the USASAC.  Next game is Dec. 29 in the tournament at Catholic.

[hscathletics]

Quakers over NC Wesleyan last night in Greensboro, 75-70.  Guilford was led by Rice (16), McCarthy (16) and Hyatt (15) ... Dortch-Jones had 29 for the Bishops, 24 in the 2nd half.  It was truly a game of two halves, with GC winning the first half 47-26 and NCWC the 2nd, 44-28.  Guilford is now 12-5 all-time versus the Bishops and 5-0 on the year versus the USASAC.  Next game is Dec. 29 in the tournament at Catholic.

Dortch-Jones is a handful. Had 28 of NCW's 56 points against us.

[hasanova]

Quakers over NC Wesleyan last night in Greensboro, 75-70.  Guilford was led by Rice (16), McCarthy (16) and Hyatt (15) ... Dortch-Jones had 29 for the Bishops, 24 in the 2nd half.  It was truly a game of two halves, with GC winning the first half 47-26 and NCWC the 2nd, 44-28.  Guilford is now 12-5 all-time versus the Bishops and 5-0 on the year versus the USASAC.  Next game is Dec. 29 in the tournament at Catholic.

Dortch-Jones is a handful. Had 28 of NCW's 56 points against us.

No argument from me ... he took over the game in the 2nd half.

[y_jack_lok]

There were times tonight, watching R-MC vs Cabrini, that I thought Aaron Walton-Moss might single handedly win the game for Cabrini. The guy has so much skill. Watching online often makes it hard to get a good feel for the game, so the comments from the announcers were really helpful, especially the observation that Cabrini was not getting back on defense. And, since I watch a local team that plays a 2-3 zone like Cabrini's it was clear that Cabrini doesn't play it as well as it can be played. Not taking anything away from the fine passing by the Jackets and great shooting by Connor Sullivan. R-MC was the better team, even if Cabrini has the likely best player in the country.

[2RMCFans]

^ Had to miss last night's game so can't help you out with any live info, but it sure seems like the Jackets had a great offensive night & Cabrini may have had a one man show.  Based on the box scores, in addition to Sullivan's lights out shooting for 27, 4 other players (Hamilton, Taylor, Badger & Hassell) scored in double figures & Holmes had 9 off the bench (with 10 rebounds). 

The Jackets play Averett tomorrow night & then get a much deserved Christmas break until Mon. 29th holiday home tournament.  Merry Christmas everyone!

GO JACKETS!!!!