MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

narch · March 20, 2006, 08:09:32 AM

i'd like to wish vwc and the vwc fans a belated congrats...obviously a special season for the marlins - you did the south region proud, boys - great job!

jdubyadubya · March 20, 2006, 08:49:03 AM

I was there and all I can say is "unbelievable!" What a David and Goliath story all weekend, starting with the IWU trees on Friday and going up against 55 and crew of Wittenberg. Balenga showed a lot of maturity late in the Saturday game - just what the doctor ordered, so to speak. Macedo made incredible adjustments at half time. A lot of firsts for VWC this weekend. Coach Macedo was also named Div. III Coach of the Year and Adair was named an All American.
Not too shabby for a little school from the beach

. That trophy will look real nice in the Batten Center's trophy case and those banners will look really nice hanging in the gym. Thanks to Pat Coleman and crew for a great job. His audio is great! Nice job on the photos, too.

tigerfanalso · March 20, 2006, 08:55:03 AM

Congratulations to the entire VWC community. I could not be happier for you. Enjoy the moment as you guys have accomplished something most others never will. Good luck in the off season and I look forward to seeing the Defending National Champs play next season !!!

algernon · March 20, 2006, 09:20:39 AM

A few thoughts ...

First, Virginia Wesleyan as preseason #1 is a no-brainer. They will be the defending National Champions and are returning 4 of 5 starters, including a First Team All-American. I think they'll be a unanimous choice for preseason #1.

Second, VWC will begin the season with a 28-game win streak. What's the D3 record for a win streak and how close will VWC get to that before their win streak is broken?

Third, my bet is that the cost for an athlete to go to VWC is about the same as it is as HSC or RMC. I have a feeling that the tuition at these schools is the same, give or take 10%. None give athletic scholarships. There's money at all of these schools for guys who come in with superb academic credentials. There's money at each school for kids with serious financial need. It's certainly a complicated topic -- one has to think about such things as whether an athlete would find it more attractive to be in Virginia Beach or in Farmville .....

..... and also whether an athlete has a preference for a coed institution. My guess is that Macedo will have an easier time recruiting good basketball players than a bunch of other ODAC schools will -- there's a good team, good chemistry, good tradition, good coach .... looks pretty attractive to me. But, as I said, it's a complicated issue.

jdubyadubya · March 20, 2006, 09:41:26 AM

Algernon - yes, it's a very complicated issue, as you say, and one that the coach has a huge role in. Recruits want to play for Coach Macedo. Keep the coach happy, keep the new players happy! And, VWC is working very hard to keep Coach Macedo happy. After all, he deserves it. Look what's he done in a few short years. Short of incredible.

algernon · March 20, 2006, 09:43:30 AM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on March 19, 2006, 10:20:29 PM
The last time the South won the title, Coach Macedo was a toddler!

The last time that a current ODAC member institution won a national basketball title, Coach Macedo was not yet in existence. That was in 1972, when Roanoke College won the National NCAA College Division Championship, before the advent of Division III.

algernon · March 20, 2006, 09:44:53 AM

Quote from: jdubyadubya on March 20, 2006, 09:41:26 AM
Algernon - yes, it's a very complicated issue, as you say, and one that the coach has a huge role in. Recruits want to play for Coach Macedo. Keep the coach happy, keep the new players happy! And, VWC is working very hard to keep Coach Macedo happy. After all, he deserves it. Look what's he done in a few short years. Short of incredible.

INCREDIBLE is definitely the word for it.

Sorry that I missed you at the Final Four. Our paths will cross one of these days, I'm sure.

hasanova · March 20, 2006, 09:48:40 AM

Quote from: algernon on March 20, 2006, 09:43:30 AM
Quote from: Ralph Turner on March 19, 2006, 10:20:29 PM
The last time the South won the title, Coach Macedo was a toddler!

The last time that a current ODAC member institution won a national basketball title, Coach Macedo was not yet in existence. That was in 1972, when Roanoke College won the National NCAA College Division Championship, before the advent of Division III.

I remember well Roanoke's championship team, but actually, Guilford won the NAIA national basketball title in 1973 with future NBA players M.L. Carr, World Free and Greg Jackson. A national title is sweet, however, no matter when or where! Congratulations to VWC!

hasanova · March 20, 2006, 09:54:17 AM

Quote from: algernon on March 20, 2006, 09:20:39 AM
Second, VWC will begin the season with a 28-game win streak. What's the D3 record for a win streak and how close will VWC get to that before their win streak is broken?

It's not an NCAA DIII streak, but Guilford won 29 in a row in 1969-70, a year they went 32-5 overall and finished 4th in the country in NAIA. I know, because my Dad's first cousin was the center and an NAIA All-America that year. Depending on early season scheduling, I bet VWC can surpass that.

Mass Marlin · March 20, 2006, 10:09:43 AM

According to the NCAA record book, it looks like the DIII record is held by Potsdam State. 60 games! They went undefeated in '85-'86 (32-0) and didn't lose until 3/14/87.

hasanova · March 20, 2006, 10:15:12 AM

Quote from: Mass Marlin on March 20, 2006, 10:09:43 AM
According to the NCAA record book, it looks like the DIII record is held by Potsdam State. 60 games! They went undefeated in '85-'86 (32-0) and didn't lose until 3/14/87.

Sorry, VWC. I think the Marlins are VERY good, but I honestly don't think you'll make it to 61. I know nine ODAC teams who are going to be after you big time next season - once at your place and once at their court.

algernon · March 20, 2006, 10:38:52 AM

Quote from: hasanova on March 20, 2006, 09:54:17 AMIt's not an NCAA DIII streak, but Guilford won 29 in a row in 1969-70, a year they went 32-5 overall and finished 4th in the country in NAIA. I know, because my Dad's first cousin was the center and an NAIA All-America that year. Depending on early season scheduling, I bet VWC can surpass that.

Sorry that I forgot that one ....

ODAC Teams who have won a National Basketball Championship:

1972 - Roanoke College
1973 - Guilford College
2006 - Virginia Wesleyan College

ncbballfan · March 20, 2006, 10:45:17 AM

Congratulations to the entire Marlin basketball family, players, coaches, fans, everyone. I've had the pleasure of following your run for the past 2 seasons. I also have a few thank you's to give out.

3sdown -- Thank you for the bulletin board material that VWC will not win the ODAC tourney and will be eliminated early in the NCAA tourney........28 straight, good call.

swish3 -- For saying that if VWC din't beat Lincoln and advance to the Final 4, their season was a failure. Glad to know that the Marlins didn't disappoint you. Don't remember CNC (notice they were a college then) win a National title with Strothers and Artis or Artis, Berry, and Boykins. If Chowan hadn't been kicked out of the USA South, CNU wouldn't have made it to the tournament.

To all the IWU fans -- VW is located on the Va. Beach/Norfolk line and is where you can find the National Cahmpionship trophy. For those that didn't understand the saying "FEAR THE FISH", a marlin is a really big Fish that lives in the ocean, and also our mascot. Didn't miss the green on Sat. night.

To all the Witt fans -- Thanks for the comments in the lobby of the Wyndam Hotel that the winner of Friday's Witt/Amhearst game would be the champ after they beat IWU in the finals. Thanks for counting the Marlins out. Don't miss all the red today either.

Last, but not least, Pat Coleman -- [INACCURATE STATEMENT REMOVED]. Then you replied to another post saying #7 in the country and always considered the favorite, kinda contradicts your post of IWU being the heavy favorite.

Thank you all for letting me stand on my soapbox and vent. Again, congratulations to PJ, Marques, and Matt..........going out on top and in style with a little bling.

algernon · March 20, 2006, 10:47:24 AM

Quote from: Mass Marlin on March 20, 2006, 10:09:43 AM
According to the NCAA record book, it looks like the DIII record is held by Potsdam State. 60 games! They went undefeated in '85-'86 (32-0) and didn't lose until 3/14/87.

That 1985-87 Potsdam 60-game win streak record is likely to last a long time!! Assuming a 25-game regular season record, the Marlins would have a 53-game streak going at the end of the regular season, a 56-game streak going at the end of the conference tournament, and (assuming a bye in the first round of the NCAA tournament) a 59-game streak going as they entered the Final Four. A win in the national semi-final would tie the record and a second consecutive national championship would set a new 61-game record. Too much to hope for, I think .... and I'm sure the Marlins will be happy enough if they can fight off almost all of the teams that are out to defeat a defending national champion throughout the course of the season, win a 3rd consecutive ODAC championship, and then go on .....

Pat Coleman · March 20, 2006, 10:48:14 AM

Quote from: ncbballfan on March 20, 2006, 10:45:17 AM
Last, but not least, Pat Coleman -- IWU shoots 75% in the 2nd half versus Puget Sound and are "heavy favorites in my mind." Great Call. Didn't shot 75%, but 60% for the game and lost.

NCbballfan: Reading is apparently not your strong point. Be careful who you call out. I never said anything like that.