MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

McHugh and Jones, what a combo.  Very destructive shooters.

Thanks sludge, we try! It has been a good build up to this point, but.........

Oh... sorry. I saw McHugh and Jones (maternal family name) and I got side-tracked!

[allsky7]

     Anyone know what is going on with the Tigers this year? I know the ODAC is tough this year and they have had some injuries but certainly expected the Tigers to be closer to the top of the stack.  Any chance they can make a run in the ODAC tourn. again this year?
     Have been very pleased to see that Tony Shaver is having a great year at W&M. The Tribe is in 2nd place in the CAA behind VCU. No small accomplishment at a school like W&M. I taught Tony's son many moons ago. Good folks. I wish them continued success.
     

[Jacketlawyer]

Jackets win 78-58

I got there for the second half.  LC got within seven, but no closer.

There was, however, a Scottie sighting.  He showed excellent form while eating a cookie, sipping a sports drink, and keeping statistics. 8)

[mybleedinghands]

Jackets win 78-58

I got there for the second half.  LC got within seven, but no closer.

There was, however, a Scottie sighting.  He showed excellent form while eating a cookie, sipping a sports drink, and keeping statistics. 8)

Propel fitness water and a chocolate chip cookie, the snack of champions! lol

[algernon]

     Anyone know what is going on with the Tigers this year? I know the ODAC is tough this year and they have had some injuries but certainly expected the Tigers to be closer to the top of the stack.  Any chance they can make a run in the ODAC tourn. again this year?

The Tigers were 8-3 before the injury of Tyler Murray, with "good" wins against Averett, Mary Washington, and New Jersey City, but ODAC losses to Guilford and Bridgewater.

Then the Tigers lost Tyler at the same time that they got into the thick of their ODAC season, when they started playing very strong teams from one of the best conferences in the country:  #16 Guilford (15-4), #18 Virginia Wesleyan (15-5), Randolph-Macon (15-4), Roanoke (15-4), Washington and Lee (12-6), and even Bridgewater (11-7).  They've lost twice to Virginia Wesleyan, once to Guilford, Randolph-Macon, Roanoke, and Washington and Lee, and split a pair with Bridgewater.  I think that they're capable of going 5-1 over the next 6 games, but also could do as poorly as 2-4.  They should finish the regular season with an ODAC record somewhere between 9-9 and 6-12.

It's been frustrating for Tiger fans .... It's clear that the Tigers have one of the best players in the league in Turner King, but they haven't given him enough support to win games against quality opponents.  Troy Kaase gets double-teamed as soon as he gets the ball near the basket, and the Tigers are making way too many turnovers.  Their defense lacks the intensity of the Tony Shaver years ... and opponents have scored far too many easy baskets when assignments were missed.  The Tigers are missing the likes of Marcus Gregory at point guard and the intensity, aggressiveness, scoring, and rebounding of Tyler Murray around the basket.  However, in his absence, Carlis Trops has really matured into a quality post player and sometimes will hit a three.  We expect to see him continue to develop.

A run in the tournament is certainly possible, as it is for any of 6 other ODAC teams.  The Tigers are likely to be seeded #6 or #7 and will have to beat #2/#3 in the first game to get a shot at the semifinals.  I really think that anything can happen this year and hope that the Tigers will pull it together to play better ball by tournament time.

[allsky7]

     Anyone know what is going on with the Tigers this year? I know the ODAC is tough this year and they have had some injuries but certainly expected the Tigers to be closer to the top of the stack.  Any chance they can make a run in the ODAC tourn. again this year?

The Tigers were 8-3 before the injury of Tyler Murray, with "good" wins against Averett, Mary Washington, and New Jersey City, but ODAC losses to Guilford and Bridgewater.

Then the Tigers lost Tyler at the same time that they got into the thick of their ODAC season, when they started playing very strong teams from one of the best conferences in the country:  #16 Guilford (15-4), #18 Virginia Wesleyan (15-5), Randolph-Macon (15-4), Roanoke (15-4), Washington and Lee (12-6), and even Bridgewater (11-7).  They've lost twice to Virginia Wesleyan, once to Guilford, Randolph-Macon, Roanoke, and Washington and Lee, and split a pair with Bridgewater.  I think that they're capable of going 5-1 over the next 6 games, but also could do as poorly as 2-4.  They should finish the regular season with an ODAC record somewhere between 9-9 and 6-12.

It's been frustrating for Tiger fans .... It's clear that the Tigers have one of the best players in the league in Turner King, but they haven't given him enough support to win games against quality opponents.  Troy Kaase gets double-teamed as soon as he gets the ball near the basket, and the Tigers are making way too many turnovers.  Their defense lacks the intensity of the Tony Shaver years ... and opponents have scored far too many easy baskets when assignments were missed.  The Tigers are missing the likes of Marcus Gregory at point guard and the intensity, aggressiveness, scoring, and rebounding of Tyler Murray around the basket.  However, in his absence, Carlis Trops has really matured into a quality post player and sometimes will hit a three.  We expect to see him continue to develop.

A run in the tournament is certainly possible, as it is for any of 6 other ODAC teams.  The Tigers are likely to be seeded #6 or #7 and will have to beat #2/#3 in the first game to get a shot at the semifinals.  I really think that anything can happen this year and hope that the Tigers will pull it together to play better ball by tournament time.

     Another quality young man from my days at PECMS. I guess Marcus is pushing 30 by now. Good grief I am getting old.  Thanks for the feedback.

[hasanova]

Having listened to most of the game online, I agree with hasanova's assessment.  W&L could've rolled over and given this one away, especially with Greg fouling out with more than 5 minutes to play.  But the Generals kept scrapping away to keep it close until the very end.

It should be said that Ben Strong's impact goes way beyond his stat line -- it seemed like Generals players were picking up fouls simply by trying to deny him the ball.  It sounded like Greg fouled out on this sort of situation.

Now that W&L has dropped this one, the weekend road trip becomes so much more crucial.  Will the Generals come out at 10-3 in ODAC play or 8-5?  Anything still can happen with many ODAC games left!!!

Ben does have an impact well beyond the stats.  True, he was 6 of 19 from the floor, but he was hacked, double-teamed and harassed all night.  A few of those were shots he normally makes as they rolled around the rim and off.  As for his 8 of 15 FT shooting, it's hard to explain.  Kimbrough was way off too.  Strong could have had 30 last night with a little more finesse and better FT shooting, but he got 20 and the Quakers won.   Ben now has 1971 points in his career, so we'll see if he gets to 2000 in the LC game or has to wait until the HSC game next week.

It really is a tough stretch for the Generals.  They're a very good team, but this weekend could go either way.  Guilford's 10-2, but there are a lot of teams hanging around with 3 losses, so anything can happen.  One thing in Guilford's favor, however, is their 5-2 record against the contenders.  The Quakers have one more game at W&L, but some of the others have several head-to-head match-ups still to play.   There will be a few more 4-5 loss teams after this weekend.

I'll be at the LC game on Saturday, so any fans from Lynchburg should say hello.  I know Evan Fancourt's from Greensboro, so he should have a cheering section. 

[mybleedinghands]

Having listened to most of the game online, I agree with hasanova's assessment.  W&L could've rolled over and given this one away, especially with Greg fouling out with more than 5 minutes to play.  But the Generals kept scrapping away to keep it close until the very end.

It should be said that Ben Strong's impact goes way beyond his stat line -- it seemed like Generals players were picking up fouls simply by trying to deny him the ball.  It sounded like Greg fouled out on this sort of situation.

Now that W&L has dropped this one, the weekend road trip becomes so much more crucial.  Will the Generals come out at 10-3 in ODAC play or 8-5?  Anything still can happen with many ODAC games left!!!

Ben does have an impact well beyond the stats.  True, he was 6 of 19 from the floor, but he was hacked, double-teamed and harassed all night.  A few of those were shots he normally makes as they rolled around the rim and off.  As for his 8 of 15 FT shooting, it's hard to explain.  Kimbrough was way off too.  Strong could have had 30 last night with a little more finesse and better FT shooting, but he got 20 and the Quakers won.   Ben now has 1971 points in his career, so we'll see if he gets to 2000 in the LC game or has to wait until the HSC game next week.

It really is a tough stretch for the Generals.  They're a very good team, but this weekend could go either way.  Guilford's 10-2, but there are a lot of teams hanging around with 3 losses, so anything can happen.  One thing in Guilford's favor, however, is their 5-2 record against the contenders.  The Quakers have one more game at W&L, but some of the others have several head-to-head match-ups still to play.   There will be a few more 4-5 loss teams after this weekend.

I'll be at the LC game on Saturday, so any fans from Lynchburg should say hello.  I know Evan Fancourt's from Greensboro, so he should have a cheering section. 

Expect to have some kids from the UNCG men's bball team there if they don't have a bball conflict themselves. Evan's friends with some of them and Evan played on one of their summer league teams.

[hasanova]

Expect to have some kids from the UNCG men's bball team there if they don't have a bball conflict themselves. Evan's friends with some of them and Evan played on one of their summer league teams.

UNCG plays at Furman on Sunday at 3 pm.  I bet the Spartans will be involved with team meetings and/or travel on Saturday afternoon before the GC/LC game's over.

[badcall!]

Looking forward to antoher exciting weekend in the ODAC!  Hopefully we should start to see some clarity in the top 5 after some big games this weekend.  But who knows, if VA Wes can lose at BC than anything I guess is possible!  BTW, Balenga did not play that game at BC as apparently he hasn't been going to class much since the spring semester started.  Kudos to Coach Mac for trying to instill some discipline in the young man.  Will be interesting to see if he plays this weekend.  I hope to go see the BC/EMU classic on saturday.  Everyone knows EMU gave the first game away against BC, totally outplayed and outcoached them.  This time EMU will prevail as their young talent has more experience and confidence after winning 3 straight.  That should be enough to offset their lack of coaching.  Also, BC is very poor on the road so the Loyal Royals should be juiced up for a big night tomorrow!!!!!

[badcall!]

Also, looks like ODAC games will get that much tougher next year as the league moves to a 16 game schedule playing on WED/SAT with no back to backs.  That gives the road team more time to rest and prepare so that makes your home games that much tougher.  No more dreaded back to backs!  Kudos also go out to Coach Swickrath at LC for spearheading that schedule.  I hope he will be around to enjoy it next year.  Don't ask me how it all works with specificis but each team will play some teams twice and some teams once in conference beginning next season.  Similar to the ACC schedule I think.  The only losers in this schedule are the parents who I know enjoyed seeing 2 games on the weekend.

[mybleedinghands]

I already knew about the schedule stuff, but how did you find out about it?

[hasanova]

When you have a 12-team conference, it's normally split into two 6-team divisions.  You play your other 5 division mates twice each season (home and away).  You play the other 6 teams once per season (alternating years for home and away).  That makes the 16 games.

I'm not yet sure how you do it with 11-teams, but I'll work on it!  lol

[baselinejam]

I already knew about the schedule stuff, but how did you find out about it?

Old news, I've know since New Year's.

Was it supposed to be a secret?

[mybleedinghands]

I already knew about the schedule stuff, but how did you find out about it?

Old news, I've know since New Year's.

Was it supposed to be a secret?

No, I just didn't know there had been a release or anything about it.