MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[ODACHOOPS]

Yes for the most part I agree that the whole AAU circuit has gone out of control.  I think AAU is strictly another name and another way for "top rated high school players" to increase their stock even more.  I think it's a great place for a mid-major d1 player to make the step and get looks from a major d1 school.  I don't think AAU is a good place at all for a very good D3 player to get the low level d1 or even d2 looks that he might deserve.  I think if you're not a "big name" player or at least someone who is on some d1 schools radar, then you're most likely to get over looked on the AAU circuit.  It's a shame, but that is just where we are in today's high school basketball world, AAU more specific.  Props goes out to that select group of kids who are on no d1 schools radar come summer AAU time and yet still go out each and every night and play their hearts out and end up getting those D1 offers, however I think that is a small group of players.

[old_lion]

If that's true - then that's a problem. It's miracle that W&L broke .500 - Most of their players get 0. If there is a hint of "wink - wink  'this is academic $' then the school is perpatrating a fraud on D-3.

No "wink - wink" baselinjam ... I believe I stated that I wasn't talking about just sports.  I don't know anything about W&L policies specifically, but I'm under the impression that they draw from a relatively wealthy demographic base ... I have been on the W&L campus. They are certainly more "monied" than the typical school.  What is it, about 90% Greek? They have more fraternity and sorority houses than a lot of schools have buildings, period. Maybe they don't need to give out much scholarship money to help their "typical student" afford the tuition.

I am familiar with a number of other schools that give out scholarship $ for a variety of reasons, sometimes non-specific reasons ... certainly not athletic scholarships, but not necessarily purely academic $ either.

Take a deep breath .. no fraud involved ... no need to call 20 -20. 

[sludge]

... I know of a D3 player from UC Santa Cruz who transferred, as a junior I think, to D1 Fordham of the Atlantic 10 conference and coached by Derek Wittenerg who took the infamous shot that Lorenzo Charles grabbed and put in the hoop ...

That was a pass. 

I haven't seen a D3 school throwing unusual amounts of money at ballers.  I think I would have noticed.

[HSCfan]

Yeah, I don't know if they throw non-academic money at them. However, there are plenty of cases where schools will try to dig and find the maximum amount of money to give an athlete based on his academics.

Now, whether or not a person believes that a school deciding to give an academic award that requires a 3.0, 1000 to an athlete that has a 2.8, 950 is wrong...that is up to the individual.

I say more power to them...that player is contributing more to that school than the average Joe who simply goes to class and is not involved in extra curriculars. Hopefully that athlete is also learning lessons and values that transcend the classroom in the process.

[HSCfan]

Yeah, I don't know if they throw non-academic money at them.

At least I hope not!

[hasanova]

... I know of a D3 player from UC Santa Cruz who transferred, as a junior I think, to D1 Fordham of the Atlantic 10 conference and coached by Derek Wittenerg who took the infamous shot that Lorenzo Charles grabbed and put in the hoop ...

That was a pass. 

I haven't seen a D3 school throwing unusual amounts of money at ballers.  I think I would have noticed.

Yeah, I bet you would've.  There were still some checks to be written at your house, I bet.  lol

[y_jack_lok]

... I know of a D3 player from UC Santa Cruz who transferred, as a junior I think, to D1 Fordham of the Atlantic 10 conference and coached by Derek Wittenerg who took the infamous shot that Lorenzo Charles grabbed and put in the hoop ...

That was a pass. 

And an excellent pass, indeed. My mistake. 

[the sizzler]

The LC Hornets this year with their new coach Hilliary Scott is a team to watch out for. I know this has been said for the last 3 years but this team there it legitimacy to the hornets program with Swickrath out of there. People forget that this past year LC lost 3 preseason starters in Danny Reed, Steven Echols and Jack Burgess. They also lost 2 potential starters in Jason Early and Sean Sutherland. Echols came back 2nd semester but was to out of the swing of things to make a difference. In the 08-09 season look for Echols to learn a new role at PG and take over at the end of games. Mason Wooldridge is quite a better player when he doesn't have to force things inside. With the likes of Danny Reed, Steve Echols and Jack Burgess, the Hornets will have 3 legitimate outside scoring threats with the 3 point specialist, Brad Puffenbarger coming off of the bench. This will create Wooldridge with great 1 on 1 oppurtunities in the post which did not come that often this past year. I predict Lynchburg will finish 4th or 5 th in the ODAC. Thats right I said it!

[the sizzler]

And to add to that, a ton of young people had to play this year because of the vacant spots caused by everything that happened, this will cause LC to be a pretty deep team. However, one of the main problems this past year was defense and it starts with Wooldridge. Even though he is a huge threat on the offensive end, he is very foul prone on the defensive end which causes him to get beat time and time again by his man. This will need to improve under the new scheme of Coach Scott.

[Pat Coleman]

This seems like an opportune time to remind all people registering for the board to read the instructions and the Terms of Service.

[LCasid]

Coach Scott will certainly have plenty to work with and if any good recruits come in he'll have even more to work with, certianly won't be in a bad position as far as available talent is concerned even though the record the past few years would indicate otherwise, but that's a whole different discussion right there...

PG: Echols and Gerlufsen. Both have gotten plenty of PT and we all know that Echols can be a dominant player

SG: Burgess, Puffenbarger, Echols, Mendez. Lot of experience and offensive abilities here, Burgess is one of the better defenders on the team, Echols can be a good defender and has proven to be potent at the 2.

SF: Danny Reed, Jeff Langrock, Eric Burnett, KC Mendez. Danny Reed was one of the best freshman in the ODAC two years ago and had to sit out this past season due to injury. Good offensive threat and can be a good rebounder. Langrock is unorthodox but can be very effective when not having to play out of position at PF - which hopefully won't happen mthis year. Burnett is a freakish athlete too. Mendez should be put in a better position to succeed this year under Scott.

PF: Mason Wooldridge, Danny Reed, Eric Burnett, Brad Kenney. Mason is a beast. Reed and burnett can play the 4, although it's not their strong suit so hopefully someone else can come in and try to back up Mason.

C: Mason, Peter Alexander. Lacking in depth here as Mason isn't a natural center (played SF and PF all through out high school/prep school and at Marshall) and Alexander is a bit thin but fairly athletic for a center.

[king of the court]

Even though the hornets may have a lot of talent, it will take the players time to adjust to the new coach. Look for them to heat up for the 2nd half of the season.......Randolph Macon will be tough to beat with the best point guard in the league.

[king of the court]

And by the way, to all this D1, D3 nonsense. Almost all of the starters in the ODAC could AT LEAST walk on to a D1 team somewhere, being most likely a low d1, it happens all of the time. A kid for RMC went to Tennessee and walked on their. A kid from LC walked on to Longwood and may even get minutes this upcoming year. The reason why a lot of guys don't get the look to go D1 is not because of their skill, but because of their height. Adair was a beast in the post, but do you really think he could of gotten recruited over a 6 10 less skilled kid. It's tough to be as good as an Adair, Parkes, Wooldridge, and even Strong when he first came out of high school and NOT play. Everyone wants to play so these lower d1 kids go down to d3 and play the game for the love and not for the accolades!

[HSCfan]

I think old_lion, and the rest of the posters, has already established that 1) most ODAC starters could walk on to some DI team, and that 2) the only thing that lacks with most DIII players is the natural size and athletic ability...the fundamental skill is there.

Haha we have even already mentioned Adair, Parkes, Wooldridge, and Strong!

[old_hooper]

Bringing up Ben Strong name, what is happening with him and where is he going to play next year?  Is Adair still in Germany?