MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Thanks to all the well wishers congratulating and rooting for the Quakers.  Guilford's a senior-laden team and they're playing well right now - 16 straight wins!  Wow!

d3hoops.com is projecting Guilford to get a first round bye, Virginia Wesleyan to make the tournament and RMC to stay home.  I'd already turned in a vacation request for Friday hoping to see a first-round game in Ragan-Brown Field House.  I guess we'll all find out at noon.

PS I hope the Jackets make the field as well - they're a fine team!   Go ODAC!

[Jacketlawyer]

Thanks to all the well wishers congratulating and rooting for the Quakers.  Guilford's a senior-laden team and they're playing well right now - 16 straight wins!  Wow!

d3hoops.com is projecting Guilford to get a first round bye, Virginia Wesleyan to make the tournament and RMC to stay home.  I'd already turned in a vacation request for Friday hoping to see a first-round game in Ragan-Brown Field House.  I guess we'll all find out at noon.

PS I hope the Jackets make the field as well - they're a fine team!   Go ODAC!

I hope we go, too.  I think we deserve to go, but don't feel too good about our chances.  I just think the odds are against 3 ODAC teams being invited.

I'm satisfied with this season, however, even if we don't go.  I like what Rhoades did this year, and we certainly have a lot to look forward to next year if everyone comes back. 8)

Go ODAC!

[hasanova]

Thanks to all the well wishers congratulating and rooting for the Quakers.  Guilford's a senior-laden team and they're playing well right now - 16 straight wins!  Wow!

d3hoops.com is projecting Guilford to get a first round bye, Virginia Wesleyan to make the tournament and RMC to stay home.  I'd already turned in a vacation request for Friday hoping to see a first-round game in Ragan-Brown Field House.  I guess we'll all find out at noon.

PS I hope the Jackets make the field as well - they're a fine team!   Go ODAC!

I hope we go, too.  I think we deserve to go, but don't feel too good about our chances.  I just think the odds are against 3 ODAC teams being invited.

I'm satisfied with this season, however, even if we don't go.  I like what Rhoades did this year, and we certainly have a lot to look forward to next year if everyone comes back. 8)

Go ODAC!

RMC's chances are hurt by losing in the first round of the ODAC tournament, but Guilford got an invitation last year when they lost to BC and the ODAC got three teams.  One difference, I think, will be RMC's 20-6 record this season versus GC's 21-4 mark a year ago.  With 38 teams getting an AQ and four getting a Pool B, that only leaves 17 spots - and some of those will go to more highly ranked teams who were upset in their conference tournaments.  I think Rhoades did a great job this year, but I also hope the Jackets are playing later in the week!

[allsky7]

Thanks to all the well wishers congratulating and rooting for the Quakers.  Guilford's a senior-laden team and they're playing well right now - 16 straight wins!  Wow!

d3hoops.com is projecting Guilford to get a first round bye, Virginia Wesleyan to make the tournament and RMC to stay home.  I'd already turned in a vacation request for Friday hoping to see a first-round game in Ragan-Brown Field House.  I guess we'll all find out at noon.

PS I hope the Jackets make the field as well - they're a fine team!   Go ODAC!

I hope we go, too.  I think we deserve to go, but don't feel too good about our chances.  I just think the odds are against 3 ODAC teams being invited.

I'm satisfied with this season, however, even if we don't go.  I like what Rhoades did this year, and we certainly have a lot to look forward to next year if everyone comes back. 8)

Go ODAC!

     I was thrilled to see the Tigers come back and beat the Jackets Friday night just as I am sure Jacket fans would be if it had been the other way around. Unfortunately, with all the other upsets this weekend, the Jackets are likely out. That is too bad because IMO, they were as impressive in the first half Friday night in Salem as VWC or GC. They are a team that IMO, is good enough to win a few in the NCAA tourn.
     A team wins consistently all year and then doesn't get to dance based on one half of basketball. Of course, the ugly of college basketball is also the beauty because it allows a team like last years Tigers getting to dance from the #5 seed in the ODAC.  8)

[baselinejam]

 from Hasanova- I think Rhoades did a great job this year, but I also hope the Jackets are playing later in the week!


I would agree with Hasa's assessment. I thought this was the year to twice get a piece of R-M. We traded home wins instead. I thought they would not be nearly as good as they turned out. That is, in my mind, a testimony to good coaching.

[algernon]

     I was thrilled to see the Tigers come back and beat the Jackets Friday night just as I am sure Jacket fans would be if it had been the other way around. Unfortunately, with all the other upsets this weekend, the Jackets are likely out. That is too bad because IMO, they were as impressive in the first half Friday night in Salem as VWC or GC. They are a team that IMO, is good enough to win a few in the NCAA tourn.

allsky7 .... I agree that the Yellow Jackets could get a few wins in the NCAA Tournament.  I also think that the Tigers could get a few wins in the NCAA Tournament.  There are a number of teams who will be playing in the NCAAs that are certainly no better than RMC, HSC, Roanoke, W&L, or even Bridgewater.  That seems clear from the great record ODAC teams achieved in out-of-conference play this year.  I will note that Averett is going to the tournament this year, but they were beaten by Guilford, VWC, split with Hampden-Sydney, and barely got by EMU.  The ODAC could be well represented by a 3rd team in the NCAAs .... that's for sure!

Randolph-Macon may get into the tournament, although it appears that the prevailing thought by dIIIhoops prognosticators is against them.  If they don't make it, I think it will due to:

• they did not finish well, barely getting by HSC (15-12) in the last game of the regular season, and then losing to the Tigers in the quarterfinals of the ODAC tournament,
• the fact that they didn't have any really top-quality out-of-conference opponents, as they have had in years past,
• the fact that they were blown out once by Guilford and once by Virginia Wesleyan, by a margin of 18 points each time.

I have actually made a case for their inclusion on the Pool C discussion board ..... and within the half hour, we'll know which way the committee has decided.

[Jacketlawyer]

     I was thrilled to see the Tigers come back and beat the Jackets Friday night just as I am sure Jacket fans would be if it had been the other way around. Unfortunately, with all the other upsets this weekend, the Jackets are likely out. That is too bad because IMO, they were as impressive in the first half Friday night in Salem as VWC or GC. They are a team that IMO, is good enough to win a few in the NCAA tourn.

allsky7 .... I agree that the Yellow Jackets could get a few wins in the NCAA Tournament.  I also think that the Tigers could get a few wins in the NCAA Tournament.  There are a number of teams who will be playing in the NCAAs that are certainly no better than RMC, HSC, Roanoke, W&L, or even Bridgewater.  That seems clear from the great record ODAC teams achieved in out-of-conference play this year.  I will note that Averett is going to the tournament this year, but they were beaten by Guilford, VWC, split with Hampden-Sydney, and barely got by EMU.  The ODAC could be well represented by a 3rd team in the NCAAs .... that's for sure!

Randolph-Macon may get into the tournament, although it appears that the prevailing thought by dIIIhoops prognosticators is against them.  If they don't make it, I think it will due to:

• they did not finish well, barely getting by HSC (15-12) in the last game of the regular season, and then losing to the Tigers in the quarterfinals of the ODAC tournament,
• the fact that they didn't have any really top-quality out-of-conference opponents, as they have had in years past,
• the fact that they were blown out once by Guilford and once by Virginia Wesleyan, by a margin of 18 points each time.

I have actually made a case for their inclusion on the Pool C discussion board ..... and within the half hour, we'll know which way the committee has decided.

Thanks, Algernon, Allsky.  Have my fingers firmly crossed!

[WhoWouldaThought]

Macon got snubbed

[DeWayneCarter]

VWC travels to Ursinis College, PA to take on Worcester Polytechnical Insitute, who has a record of 21-6. The winner of this game plays against either Ursinus and Baptist Bible.

Guilford hosts their 1st and 2nd round games, as they play St. Mary's (MD). Those hoping for a 4th GC/VWC matchup will have to wait (knock on wood) until these teams get back to Salem.

[algernon]

Macon got snubbed

Macon was definitely borderline and might have got lucky, but there was broad agreement by neutral D3 parties that the Yellow Jackets hadn't made their case for an NCAA Tournament bid.

As I noted above, the Yellow Jackets finished very poorly, barefly defeating Hampden-Sydney in their last regular season game and then losing to the Tigers in the ODAC quarterfinals.  Against a strong Pool C field, that's not going to do it.  If the Yellow Jackets had gone into the tournament and defeated both the Tigers and the Marlins, they probably would have gone to the NCAAs even if they'd lost to the Quakers by 10 or 20 points.  In fact, if the Yellow Jackets had simply gone into the tournament and defeated the Tigers, they might have got an NCAA bid even if they lost to the Marlins for the 3rd time this season.

Looking at the ODAC's top 2 teams, I'd have to say that both the Quakers and Marlins have a pretty friendly schedule for the first couple games.

The #12 Quakers start off against unranked St. Mary's and  a win will have them playing either unranked Averett or unranked Widener on Saturday.  They are a strong favorite to get back into the Sweet Sixteen, but they will be in a sectional that might also include #14 Mary Hardin-Baylor, #8 Stevens Point, and #7 Washington.  They will face some really tough competition, but I have no doubt that they could get to Salem for the first time.

The #18 Marlins start off against unranked (got 1 vote) Worcester Tech and  a win will probably have them playing #17 Ursinus on Saturday.  I'd say that they have an awfully good change of getting into the Sweet Sixteen, a sectional that might also include #5 UMass Dartmouth and #15 Rochester.  If they play well, they could get back to Salem.

If both teams won long enough, they would face each other in the National Championship Game.  Wouldn't that be cool.

[hasanova]

VWC travels to Ursinis College, PA to take on Worcester Polytechnical Insitute, who has a record of 21-6. The winner of this game plays against either Ursinus and Baptist Bible.

Guilford hosts their 1st and 2nd round games, as they play St. Mary's (MD). Those hoping for a 4th GC/VWC matchup will have to wait (knock on wood) until these teams get back to Salem.

It's great that Guilford's hosting this week - they drew the St. Mary's (MD) Seahawks (17-11) on Friday night (3/7) at 8 pm.  This will be the first NCAA men's playoff games ever held on campus (women have hosted a game twice).  Averett's just 50 miles away - I bet AU fans will turn out well for their 6 pm game with Widener.

The winners meet at Guilford Saturday night (3/8) at 7 pm.  Go Quakers!

The Ursinus Bears host Baptist Bible in the 1st round.  As DeWayne said, VWC & Worcester Polytechnical meet in the other game at UC.  Go Marlins!

[sludge]

This is really cool!  Now I'm thinking it would be great for Guilford to meet VWC again this year.  (I hope I don't regret saying this later on.)  I'm at least pleased that the Fish are not even in the same potential sectional.

I'm sure tapes are getting fed-exd all over the place today and tomorrow.   The Quakers  aren't overly subtle;  they won't need PhDs to figure out Guilford's offense.  They might want an advanced degree to solve the Quaker defense, though.

We'll not be overlooking St. Mary's Seahawks.  I wonder what we'll see coming at us the next couple of games.  Go Quakers!

[hasanova]

Hey, sludge.  It's super cool!  I've already written a note to Guilford to see if they have advance ticket sales.  With Guilford fans and Averett so close, I think there will be a full house Friday night.  I'm not sure how many people will drive down from Maryland and Pennsylvania to root for St. Mary's and Widener, respectively, but I imagine they'll add a few hundred more fans to the mix.

Guilford lists the capacity of Ragan-Brown as 2500.  I for one, can't wait to see it full for some big games.  Friday night - see you there!

6 pm Averett Cougars (14-14) vs Widener Pride (22-5)
8 pm Guilford Quakers (24-4) vs St. Mary's (MD) Seahawks (17-11)

[coopersharpe]

Cant wait for Friday night.  I hope there is a big turnout for the games.  I think Guilford has grown a nice fan base outside the Quaker community and have drawn fans from the city of Greensboro.  They are consistently on the front page of Greensboro's main newspaper and I think a lot of non Guilford affiliated people will show up.  Also it is nice that they play the second game, as many fans and players of the first game may stick around.  One thing that scares me Nova is after Friday Guilford's spring break begins.  Much of the student section could be depeleted as student head off to Florida or whatever party paradise they choose.  I still expect a great crowd and I know I will be there for both games.  Lets Go Quaks!!! 

[allsky7]

Hey, sludge.  It's super cool!  I've already written a note to Guilford to see if they have advance ticket sales.  With Guilford fans and Averett so close, I think there will be a full house Friday night.  I'm not sure how many people will drive down from Maryland and Delaware to root for St. Mary's and Widener, respectively, but I imagine they'll add a few hundred more fans to the mix.

Guilford lists the capacity of Ragan-Brown as 2500.  I for one, can't wait to see it full for some big games.  Friday night - see you there!

6 pm Averett Cougars (14-14) vs Widener Pride (22-5)
8 pm Guilford Quakers (24-4) vs St. Mary's (MD) Seahawks (17-11)

     Hasa.....sometimes it is hard to read emotion into posting online like this but not this time. I can feel your joy all the way up here in the Blue Ridge of Virginia. As you know, I will be just up the street this weekend at the Greensboro Coliseum pulling for the Duke Blue Devils. I told the GF I would humor her and get all decked out in Duke ONLY because the Lady Vols are in the SEC.  As unlikely as this is, if UVA advances to the finals against Duke Sunday, I just may have to pull for the Cavs also.  Can you say DOGHOUSE?!?!?  I will try to slip over to Ragan-Brown if possible but doesn't look like that will be likely at this point. Best of luck to the Quakers (and Marlins) this weekend. GO ODAC. BTW.....good talking to you Saturday night in Salem.