MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

I agree with Ryan that UMW looked a little better than RMC. The thing that stood out to me was the number of ill-advised passes the Jackets made on offense, a few by freshman guard Delani Hammonds, but several by Robinson and Pulley, Jr. as well. That's uncharacteristic of RMC teams. Sixteen turnovers by a team that averaged only nine a game last season is a fixable problem. It also seemed that RMC was making a conscious effort to get the "big" men (Bachman, Joyce, and Showalter) more involved and relying less on Robinson and Pulley, Jr. for scoring. Credit to the UMW defense for keeping Robinson and Pulley, Jr. in check, but it just appeared to me that they weren't looking to score as much as they had been in previous games. Nice game by Liam Joyce with 17 points (7 of 8 at the free throw line) and nine rebounds. It wasn't Top 25 basketball last night by either team. The defenses looked more advanced than the offenses, which is borne out by the below 40% fg percentages by both teams.

In another game last night Ferrum beat Mary Baldwin 84-64.

[Tigerfan]

The Macon bigs can score if the opportunity is created for them, but put little pressure on the defense on their own which might open things up for the guards.  With the defense able to focus on them, Pulley, Jr. and Robinson have to work hard for what they get. It looked to me that Coach Merkel and the Jackets were working on developing an interior game and giving the bigs some confidence.  The Jackets will get better on offense. 

[HoopsDad34]

I was at the game and agree with the above assessments: UMW defense looked good and stiffed RMC bigger guns but their offense really struggled, horrendous shooting percentages across the board except for Burgess and Randall. RMC did a good job on Blue and played him tight all night. UMW missed some easy layups and front end of 1 and 1s. I do think both teams have some high up sides and will look better at year end. Sorry for posting more on UMW since I know this is an ODAC site!

[y_jack_lok]

Sorry for posting more on UMW since I know this is an ODAC site!

No problem. Relevant insights, regardless of emphasis, are most welcome. Stick around long enough and you'll see that we sometimes get way off the topic of basketball and the ODAC.

[Tigerfan]

The Tigers rolled over Pfeiffer tonight, 96-67.  Brazil with 23 points in 22 minutes and the big guy Fernald had 17 (8 for 8), 7 rebounds and 4 assists in limited action.  Its hard to take your eyes off Hamilton Campbell when he is on the floor.  He brings so much energy and aggression.  A host of Tiger freshmen got minutes tonight.  Travis Stickney continues to start and be solid on the defensive end. He is almost too deferential on offense but hopefully that is changing as he had 10 points tonight.  Tugg Bizzelle is gaining some PT with his defense.  He brings quickness and strength, and he was not hesitant to mix it up with bigger players inside when switches occurred. 

The freshman class and transfers draw a lot of attention, but seniors Nick Shryock and Ayman McGowan deserve much credit.  They have stepped up to starting roles and are doing what is necessary for the team to be successful.  Shryock has become the glue man.  He has been a backup ball handler in the past, spelling Brazil at times. He got bigger and stronger.  He defends big guys now, rebounds and passes (5 assists/no turnovers tonight), and scores when he needs to.  McGowan is locked in on wing defense.  He is rather streaky from long range, but has those moments when he adds big chunks of points. His first half shooting at CNU kept the Tigers in the game. 

[Tigerfan]

The Tigers face a tough game tomorrow with Gettysburg.  They have a skilled, athletic big guard in Jordan Stafford along with some legit big guys.  They beat a resilient Maryville team which kept coming back from double digits down.  Final was 84-78.  Maryville has some relatively small fearless guards, in particular Reed Kemp.  They continually drove and sought contact with the Gettysburg bigs when they weren't hitting threes.  Maryville played hard, but they had no way of stopping Jordan Stafford who finished with 29 points. 

[y_jack_lok]

Eight ODAC teams in action today, with three wins and five loses.

Winners: VWU, Averett, and Randolph

Losers: EMU, Ferrum, Lynchburg, Shenandoah, and H-SC

Ferrum was playing at D1 George Mason.

H-SC lost at home to Gettysburg 81-78. Gettysburg is one of 34 unranked teams receiving votes in the top 25. They were 6-0 entering the game. I caught bits of the game in short spurts, but not enough to get a real idea as to just how good they are. For the bits I did see, they looked pretty good.

[Tigerfan]

Gettysburg was the better team today.  They have a lot of height and power, and they executed just a bit better than the Tigers.  Carl Schaller, their 6' guard, was outstanding.  Nate Williams, who looks like he'd be perfectly comfortable on a football field, joined Schaller in making big play after big play. 

The Tigers would have lost by a much wider margin if Adam Brazil hadn't made some incredible plays down the stretch.  He finished with 30 but Jordan Stafford, Gettysburg's all regional 6'4" athlete guard, made it extremely difficult on Brazil all day.  Stafford expended a lot of energy denying Adam the ball and was quite good at it.

Not a horrible loss if the Tigers learn something from it.  The defense and rebounding have to get better, so they don't have to rely on Adam Brazil performing miracles in crunch time.     

 

[Seatfiller]

Big upset alert....

Averett beats #10 CNU today 80-65.


Averett is now 6-0.  Up until this game, CNU had only lost to Hampden Sydney. I didn't get to watch too much of the game but Averett's defense was really well, but they struggled with FTs (they would've won by 25 if they had hit FTs). This is going to be a really really interesting ODAC season, I'm loving it.

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Like you, I didn't get to watch the whole game. From what I saw, Averett looks very athletic. For sure the ODAC season is going to be brutal.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Averett shot 5 FTs in the first half and 28 in the second.  That's a different approach to the game, for sure.  Paid off.

[Seatfiller]

Averett shot 5 FTs in the first half and 28 in the second.  That's a different approach to the game, for sure.  Paid off.

Of that 28 at least 12 were off of intentional fouls trying to prolong the game by CNU.

[y_jack_lok]

Averett shot 5 FTs in the first half and 28 in the second.  That's a different approach to the game, for sure.  Paid off.

Of that 28 at least 12 were off of intentional fouls trying to prolong the game by CNU.

Including a technical on the CNU coach.

[scottiedoug]

I warned y'all about Averett after they beat Maryville....

[Tigerfan]

Quite a few games tonight.  In ODAC conference action, an undefeated Randolph squad goes to Roanoke, but is highly likely to take the L.  Guilford takes on what appears to be a dreadful William Peace squad.  VWU is at home, again, against Salisbury.  That has interest because of Salisbury's win over Hopkins.  Shenandoah could get a quality win over a top 25 team if they can take Hood in Winchester. W&L takes the short jaunt to Buena Vista to take on Southern Virginia.  For you non-Virginians, BV is pronounced Byoona Vista.  Lynchburg and Bridgewater could get much needed wins against Methodist and Mary Baldwin, respectively, maybe being at home will tip the scale in their favor.