MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[rmc1982]

If we play as inconsistently as we did against Bridgewater we are ripe to get beat by a good Roanoke team! I know it sounds crass to say that after winning by 27 but mostly that was done late in the 2nd half when it looked like Bridgewater quit and we just poured it on. It was a lot closer than the score indicated. We need to play consistent for 40 minutes in the next two games to win. Both away and both against good teams, either or BOTH of which can beat us! Consistency down the stretch will guide us to a 1 or #2 seed going into the tournament! GO JACKETS!

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Well said. The next two games the Jackets will have to play like they did against CNU rather than like they did against Bridgewater.

[Tigerfan]

The season is playing out just like we thought: each of the top 5 teams has some significant weak spots and everybody is uneasy every time their team takes the floor against an ODAC opponent.  From my viewpoint, Macon and Roanoke have their teams playing well and up to their potential most of the time, VWU is defending like mad which makes them tough, Guilford is dangerous if shooting well and the Tigers are scrapping and scraping by - trying to get their freshmen up to speed by tournament time.  It looks like the Tigers have decided on a starting lineup and rotation now that crunch time is here.   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

My impression of Guilford, having been there in person Wednesday, is that they still don't have rotations figured out.  More than enough talent out there on the floor 1-10, but it sure didn't feel like the output was even the sum of the individual parts, let alone surpassing it.

I've got a lot of faith in Palumbo to figure it out, but with all those transfers, it's definitely a puzzle.

[y_jack_lok]

When the dust settles on RMC at Roanoke there will be another two-loss team in conference.

Which Ferrum team will show up at H-SC? Can the Panthers give the Tigers their second ODAC loss?

VWU seems likely to retain its one-loss status at Bridgewater.

Guilford should defend home court vs Shenandoah to go to 7-2 in conference.

EMU at Averett and W&L at Lynchburg are four teams battling for a tournament spot. Right now Lynchburg leads those four, but the young W&L team is getting better. Should it be considered an upset if the Generals win?

Randolph has a non-conference game vs Regent.

[Tigerfan]

I'll take Macon over the Maroons.  Roanoke is solid this year, but I have to go with the Jackets and history until the Maroons show they can win.

Have to take my Tigers.  VWU and Guilford by double digits.  Averett has been struggling since getting some significant early non-conference wins; they need to bounce back after getting drilled by LU at home and will get the win against EMU.  W&L will be pesky, but Lynchburg is tough at home and should take care of business.   

[y_jack_lok]

Hot three point shooting (13 of 23 -- Keishawn Pulley, Jr was 7 of 10) overcame a plague of fouls (23) that sent Roanoke to the foul line 31 times, and propelled RMC to a 78-64 road win at Roanoke. The Yellow Jackets are now tied with H-SC and VWU at 8-1 in-conference. The Maroons join Guilford (who downed Shenandoah 67-63 at home) with two losses in-conference. H-SC stays at one loss with a 78-67 home win over Guilford, as does VWU who squeaked by on the road at Bridgewater 62-59.

Averett has no trouble with EMU, winning at home 86-66. Randolph dominates non-conference opponent Regent at home by 55 points, 116-61.

In the closest game of the day the Lynchburg Hornets suffer the same fate at home as they did last Saturday vs Roanoke, losing by one point (74-73) on a last second hoop by W&L.

[hasanova]

My impression of Guilford, having been there in person Wednesday, is that they still don't have rotations figured out.  More than enough talent out there on the floor 1-10, but it sure didn't feel like the output was even the sum of the individual parts, let alone surpassing it.

I've got a lot of faith in Palumbo to figure it out, but with all those transfers, it's definitely a puzzle.

Palombo.

[Seatfiller]

Hot three point shooting (13 of 23 -- Keishawn Pulley, Jr was 7 of 10) overcame a plague of fouls (23) that sent Roanoke to the foul line 31 times, and propelled RMC to a 78-64 road win at Roanoke. The Yellow Jackets are now tied with H-SC and VWU at 8-1 in-conference. The Maroons join Guilford (who downed Shenandoah 67-63 at home) with two losses in-conference. H-SC stays at one loss with a 78-67 home win over Guilford, as does VWU who squeaked by on the road at Bridgewater 62-59.

Averett has no trouble with EMU, winning at home 86-66. Randolph dominates non-conference opponent Regent at home by 55 points, 116-61.

In the closest game of the day the Lynchburg Hornets suffer the same fate at home as they did last Saturday vs Roanoke, losing by one point (74-73) on a last second hoop by W&L.

Unfortunately I did not get to watch the game (though from what I heard I don't think I would've wanted). Once again Roanoke can't defeat RMC.  13 of 23 from 3 pointers is unreal, I will say RMC has been playing probably the best in the conference the last 5 or so games so unfortunately I'm not too surprised with this outcome.  I'll have to rewatch the game but I'm wondering if the RMC 3 point percentage was bad Roanoke defense or were they just on fire? On to the next game Roanoke plays at EMU on Wednesday a game we must have. 

Notable games this Wednesday is RMC at Virginia Wesleyan and a up and down Lynchburg team at Guilford. 

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ As to RMC's three point percentage, I'd say it was more of being "on fire" because Roanoke never plays bad defense. One made three, by Amr Areikat, was from well beyond the arc as the shot clock was expiring. He did the same thing late in the game against CNU. That kid must be living a good, clean life. Also, Pulley was just in rhythm and his shot was really smooth and relaxed on Saturday.

If you get to watch the archived game you'll be able to assess it with all this in mind. Let us know what you think.

[y_jack_lok]

Barring an upset by Averett at H-SC, when the dust settles on tonight's games the three one-loss teams in ODAC play will become two as RMC travels to VWU. These two teams have played some really low scoring games over the years, so I'd be surprised to see either team score more than 70 points. Having said that, I was surprised at the effectiveness of both offenses in the RMC/Roanoke game on Saturday given the defensive mindedness of both teams. Obviously, RMC being so effective from beyond the arc was the difference in that game. So I suppose I'm hedging my bets in case either the Marlins or Jackets (or both) get hot from distance tonight. Less likely is a bunch of scoring in the post.

Guilford and Roanoke need to win tonight to remain tied with the loser of the RMC/VWU game.

Ferrum at Randolph and Bridgewater at W&L are critical games in the race for spots in the ODAC tournament.

Shenandoah is off tonight.

[Tigerfan]

H-SC finally hit on all cylinders tonight with a 88-64 win over Averett. And that score is closer than the game actually was.  Up by 31 at the half, the Tigers called off the dogs when the lead got to 40.  Brazil had 19 points in 19 minutes; he has been making some spectacular plays in the last two games.  In 17 minutes, Fernald had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.  The freshmen (Stickney, Campbell, Bizzelle and Moye) have been getting playing time and are looking more comfortable and confident. 

Must have been some battle down in Va Beach!

[y_jack_lok]

^^^Yes, it was a good game in the Fish Tank. Very back and forth in the first half. Neither team led by more than four points, and it was 29-28 RMC at halftime. The second half was a little different. The Jackets stretched the lead to seven, then VWU went on an 11-0 run to lead by four, 43-39 with 11 minutes left. But the Marlins only scored six points the rest of the game, while RMC scored 17 to make the final 56-49. Neither team could hit threes, going a combined 4 for 31. It was obvious that both teams really wanted to score as close to the basket as possible making for a lot of congestion in the lane and around the hoop. Both teams had solid two-point shooting numbers. VWU was 18 for 29 - 62%. RMC was 22 for 43 - 51%. Sixteen turnovers hurt the Marlins, as RMC only turned it over six times, so that was what made the biggest difference.

In a bit of a surprise, Randolph downed Ferrum in a high scoring game 96-89. W&L continues to improve, winning at home over Bridgewater. Roanoke gets a road win at EMU. Guilford easily takes care of business at home vs Lynchburg.

Five teams look secure for tournament spots, but there's going to be a real scramble among the other eight teams for the remaining three.

[Seatfiller]

^^^Yes, it was a good game in the Fish Tank. Very back and forth in the first half. Neither team led by more than four points, and it was 29-28 RMC at halftime. The second half was a little different. The Jackets stretched the lead to seven, then VWU went on an 11-0 run to lead by four, 43-39 with 11 minutes left. But the Marlins only scored six points the rest of the game, while RMC scored 17 to make the final 56-49. Neither team could hit threes, going a combined 4 for 31. It was obvious that both teams really wanted to score as close to the basket as possible making for a lot of congestion in the lane and around the hoop. Both teams had solid two-point shooting numbers. VWU was 18 for 29 - 62%. RMC was 22 for 43 - 51%. Sixteen turnovers hurt the Marlins, as RMC only turned it over six times, so that was what made the biggest difference.

In a bit of a surprise, Randolph downed Ferrum in a high scoring game 96-89. W&L continues to improve, winning at home over Bridgewater. Roanoke gets a road win at EMU. Guilford easily takes care of business at home vs Lynchburg.

Five teams look secure for tournament spots, but there's going to be a real scramble among the other eight teams for the remaining three.

Roanoke wins at EMU but it wasn't pretty.  EMU and RC were tied at half and eventually RC pulled away for a 76-62 win.  Roanoke still has problems playing consistently and fouled EMU a lot, these things need to be addressed before next Wednesday when they have to play against a really good Guilford team. Roanoke gets Saturday off.

Does anyone know why the ODAC tourney was changed? I liked the old format.

[Brian Hamilton]

Five teams do look secure for the ODAC tourney, but finishing 4th instead of 5th gives you a home game against the 5th seed in the ODAC tourney.  That is something to watch for as well.  Tiebreakers could come into play!