MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[algernon]

VWC is a great team and they look to be in the driver's seat for the ODAC regular season championship, but I think the ODAC tournament is up for grabs.  Wouldn't it be interesting if VWC finished 1st, GC finished 2nd and E&H 4th?  Assuming all teams beat the lower seeds, that's VWC's potential gauntlet in the semis and finals.  Salem should be very interesting next month.

The tournament's definitely up for grabs.  It's been won by teams other than the #1 seed on many occasions.  VWC's the favorite in any game they play, but they're not unbeatable .... witness 3 losses for the Marlins this year.  The Tigers lost the tournament championship game in 2000, even though they entered the game with a 26-0 record.

Guilford's not unbeatable either .... with 3 losses of their own .... and they're not even assured of a #2 seed.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.  Can Guilford beat HSC again?  Can they defeat Emory & Henry in Emory?  Can the Marlins beat Randolph-Macon in Ashland?

I wouldn't count Roanoke out of anything .... they've won 9 of their last 10 games!

I think that, on any given night, Bridgewater could beat a bunch of teams.

[hasanova]

VWC is a great team and they look to be in the driver's seat for the ODAC regular season championship, but I think the ODAC tournament is up for grabs.  Wouldn't it be interesting if VWC finished 1st, GC finished 2nd and E&H 4th?  Assuming all teams beat the lower seeds, that's VWC's potential gauntlet in the semis and finals.  Salem should be very interesting next month.

The tournament's definitely up for grabs.  It's been won by teams other than the #1 seed on many occasions.  VWC's the favorite in any game they play, but they're not unbeatable .... witness 3 losses for the Marlins this year.  The Tigers lost the tournament championship game in 2000, even though they entered the game with a 26-0 record.

Guilford's not unbeatable either .... with 3 losses of their own .... and they're not even assured of a #2 seed.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.  Can Guilford beat HSC again?  Can they defeat Emory & Henry in Emory?  Can the Marlins beat Randolph-Macon in Ashland?

I wouldn't count Roanoke out of anything .... they've won 9 of their last 10 games!

I think that, on any given night, Bridgewater could beat a bunch of teams.

Yep, algernon, I'm not ruling out any of those scenarios.  It certainly bothers me, for example, that GC has five of their last seven on the road, including the regular season finale at E&H.  I will point out, however, that two of Guilford's three losses are to VWC and a lot of teams are going to suffer that fate this year.  Yes, the Quakers are certainly beatable, but I saw a high level of intensity today.  GC might fall flat on their face the last three weeks, but I also won't be surprised if they go on another win streak.  For the first time in a long time, I'm starting to see some real crowd intensity at Guilford games and I think that's great.  Basketball is fun again! 

[steelyglen]

ODAC Pick'ems  -  thru WEEK 11

algernon               75-28    .728   (8-5)
baselinejam          70-27    .722   (9-4)
llamaguy               69-29    .704   (10-3)
and1wasp            66-28    .702   (8-5)
justafan02            63-27    .700   (10-3)
brianhamilton       69-30    .697  (9-4)
jaydubyadubya    70-34     .673   (9-4)
X                           68-35    .660   (9-4)
jacketlawyer         66-38    .635   (6-7)

----------------------under 85%

kid                        22-5       .815   (10-3)
rikkitivitavi            42-19     .689   (dnp)
jeloesel                35-16     .686   (dnp)
3sdown                32-15     .681   (dnp)
stillfamily              36-18     .667   (dnp)


PICK'EM'S  - WEEK 12
Wednesday - Jan. 31st
Bridgewater @ Va. Wesleyan
Roanoke @ Emory & Henry
Guilford @ Washington & Lee
Lynchburg @ Randolph-Macon

Saturday  -  February 3rd
Bridgewater @ E. Mennonite
Emory & Henry @ Hampden-Sydney
Guilford @ Lynchburg
Randolph- Macon @ Washington & Lee
Va. Wesleyan @ Roanoke

Sunday  -  February 4th
Randolph-Macon @ Roanoke
Va. Wesleyan @ Washington & Lee

[justafan02]

  It will be interesting to see if there's another game in the ODAC tournament between these 2 - if so, Macedo has to find a way to stop Strong.  It sounds like he had a great game (congrats). 

I don't think they have to necessarily stop Strong to win.  They haven't "stopped" him in either meeting (18 and 30), and they won both games.  In my opinion, the Marlins have to just do what they have done.  Play Strong hard, but he will get his, and don't let the other guys beat you. 

Not saying it is at this level, but for years people tried to stop Michael Jordan, but he always go his.  You had to stop Pippen and company to beat the Bulls.

[baselinejam]

Yea I know The Generals dropped a disappointing one to The Maroons so we look ahead.

Quaker fans - don't discount Wednesday's game in Lexington. Last year the Generals won by 5/6 at home and lost by 1 in Greensboro. Both teams are greatly improved & I'm looking forward to some great action.

[Jacketlawyer]

I now know that the Jacket's turnaround has begun! Great come from behind win today at Emory & Henry.

Good show.  Wasn't able to keep up much this weekend due to work obligations but this sounds really good. 

[hasanova]

Yea I know The Generals dropped a disappointing one to The Maroons so we look ahead.

Quaker fans - don't discount Wednesday's game in Lexington. Last year the Generals won by 5/6 at home and lost by 1 in Greensboro. Both teams are greatly improved & I'm looking forward to some great action.

Trust me, I'm not overlooking the Generals!  I listened to last year's W&L win played in Lexington (something like 98-92) and attended the GC win in Greensboro (and yes, it was close to the end!).  I know the Generals would love nothing better than to catch the Quakers after a hard loss to VWC.  Wish I could be there Wednesday night, but I'll be listening on the internet.  You're right, both teams are improved and it should be a good one.

[hasanova]

justafan02, good morning.  You might want to check the Pick'em site.  It looks like you forgot to highlight your winners for the Feb. 4th games. 

[hasanova]

I now know that the Jacket's turnaround has begun! Great come from behind win today at Emory & Henry.

Good show.  Wasn't able to keep up much this weekend due to work obligations but this sounds really good. 

Good morning, jacketlawyer.  I know you have a busy week, so I hope it goes well.  Sorry you couldn't attend the RMC/GC game this weekend, but congratulations on the Jackets win over the Wasps.  I saw both games in Greensboro and they were well-played and intense.  Looks like all four teams (GC, RMC, E&H and VWC) went 1-1 for the weekend.  I hope to see you in Salem in February. 

[Jacketlawyer]

I now know that the Jacket's turnaround has begun! Great come from behind win today at Emory & Henry.

Good show.  Wasn't able to keep up much this weekend due to work obligations but this sounds really good. 

Good morning, jacketlawyer.  I know you have a busy week, so I hope it goes well.  Sorry you couldn't attend the RMC/GC game this weekend, but congratulations on the Jackets win over the Wasps.  I saw both games in Greensboro and they were well-played and intense.  Looks like all four teams (GC, RMC, E&H and VWC) went 1-1 for the weekend.  I hope to see you in Salem in February. 

Thank you Hasanova.  I am sorry I wasn't able to get down to Guilford to see my Jackets against your Quakes.  But I read your accounts of the Quakes' adventures this weekend, and I appreciated them.   Got to love this board for that reason--it certainly fills a rather large media gap.

[justafan02]

justafan02, good morning.  You might want to check the Pick'em site.  It looks like you forgot to highlight your winners for the Feb. 4th games. 

hasanova,

Thanks, but you caught me.  I was going to wait untill all the games were finished and say I picked all the winners.  Guess im busted.....  Thanks for the heads up...it's a Monday thing.

[hasanova]

justafan02, good morning.  You might want to check the Pick'em site.  It looks like you forgot to highlight your winners for the Feb. 4th games. 

hasanova,

Thanks, but you caught me.  I was going to wait untill all the games were finished and say I picked all the winners.  Guess im busted.....  Thanks for the heads up...it's a Monday thing.

justafan02 - That's been tried before, but the managing gurus are all over that scam.  lol  I fully understand the Monday thing - been there, done that. 

[allsky7]

I'm sure Macedo will handle that situation.  He doesn't typically approve of any unsportsmanlike nonsense- just hardnosed basketball and confidence.  There is a blurry line between playing with the confidence of a national champion and appearing unsportsmanlike.  If TonTon did take it to far I'm positive the coaching staff will handle it.  I can't say I'm surprised however; this was a big game after a big loss and the Marlins were challenged by there coaches beforehand.  It's bound to be emotional out there. 

Congrats to the Marlins and good luck to the Quakers.  From what I've heard, Hassel showed up big again.  I'm enjoying watching his development.  It will be interesting to see if there's another game in the ODAC tournament between these 2 - if so, Macedo has to find a way to stop Strong.  It sounds like he had a great game (congrats).  I can't imagine the energy of an ODAC final between the 2. Hmm..

I agree with you up to a point, GP87, and I certainly don't want to make a real big deal about this.  There is a definitely a blurry line and it was truly a big game with an enthusiastic crowd and Ton Ton played a great game.  It was just obvious he was making a point to turn to the home crowd/students and putting his hands in the air, especially after a three.  I'm old school - so I say, "congratulations for hitting the shot and we all saw you, so now get back on defense and help your teammates."  I personally just don't like that sort of posturing.

Hassell did indeed show up big today.  I think he got twelve and he averages about two.  I'm pretty sure Fantin was scoreless today and I know he got four fouls.  Speaking of Strong, he got two early fouls and sat out a significant portion of the 1st half, so he could have realistically put up 35-36 with more minutes (Ben got 30 pts/14 rebs in 25 minutes).  One of nine 3-point shooting and some missed FT's on the front end of 1 and 1's cost GC.  This game could have easily gone either way.

VWC is a great team and they look to be in the driver's seat for the ODAC regular season championship, but I think the ODAC tournament is up for grabs.  Wouldn't it be interesting if VWC finished 1st, GC finished 2nd and E&H 4th?  Assuming all teams beat the lower seeds, that's VWC's potential gauntlet in the semis and finals.  Salem should be very interesting next month.

     
Good luck to everyone "down the stretch."  If other games are as intense and entertaining as today, we're in for a treat.  

hasa....I'm old school as well. This type of stuff drives me crazy. Sign of the times unfortunately. I just wish these kids would understand that when you are good, you don't have to tell everyone about it. When I coached, it was not tolerated.....PERIOD!! Didn't matter what your last name was or how good you were. I used to preach to my players that we may be undefeated, winless, or anywhere in between, but we were going to hustle and play with class.  OK...I'm off the soap box. 

[hasanova]

FYI - This week's Top 25 is out.  VWC falls from 4th to 8th and GC actually moves up a spot from 25th to 24th.

[David Collinge]

FYI - This week's Top 25 is out.  VWC falls from 4th to 8th and GC actually moves up a spot from 25th to 24th.

Guilford lost 1/3 of their votes (50, vs. 75 last week), so their having moved up one place is function of others around them moving down faster than they did.