MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[ODACfan4life]

With all the quality seniors graduating last year, and the influx of new coaches, this should be a most interesting year in the ODAC and one that should see some parity apart from perhaps RMC.  Plus, I still believe that EMU is the sleeper team to watch.

We know the top returners - Woolridge, Short, King, Trawick, Oblitey, Henson, Peery, among others.  

I am wondering who those sleeper players to watch might be this year.  I am referring to those guys who may not be considered top returners today, but who might come into their own this year and be the new major contributors to their teams and make a difference.  Any candidates out there?

[osnapitsodac]

I think Roanoke will be midlle of the pack again with perry carrying them in a few odac games.

[osnapitsodac]

This has probally already been said but I want the full court press 2 come back 2 HSC

[tigerfanalso]

Wamsley @ RMC second best offensive player I've seen in the ODAC.

[HSCfan]

Here are my sleepers:

Danny Jones, RMC - will get more touches with Dixon gone and has the potential to be that versatile 3/4 man ala Tyler Fantin of the Fish.

Norman Hassell, VWC - played out of position last year as a center, but will move to the 4 and showcase his outside stroke.

Lane Medlin, HSC - skilled big man who, after a great freshman year w/o Kaase, played behind Kaase last year and will have his chance.

Danny Reed, LC - new coach, back from injury...plenty of reasons for him to break out.

Malcolm Nelson, RAN - freshman for Nunally, but this kid can flat out play...under the radar due to a bad ankle injury as a junior in HS.

Jarrell Christian, E&H - one of the best pure athletes in the ODAC, hard worker, explosive...will be able to showcase his skills without the system hiding them.

NOW, attention sleepers aforementioned...you are not sleepers anymore! Make me look good!

[HSCfan]

This has probally already been said but I want the full court press 2 come back 2 HSC

Unfortunately, as much as I long for those days of Marcus Gregory pressuring the opposing point guard 94-feet, I don't think we will see that for a while at H-SC. But, I know that Coach Vick will maximize the personnel he has and mold his philosophy based on his players. Whatever he chooses to do, I'm sure you will see the best that he can get out of his talent.

[HSCfan]

Two more guys to watch out for...

Boris Varela, RMC - has established himself as a physical defender, but his offensive potential can be overlooked...teams better not do that this year!

Melvin Felix, RC - came into his own near the conclusion of last season and will surely take the bulk of Dowell and Carter's reps this year.

[king of the court]

For sleepers sake, expect steven echols to be big this year while playing under a new system for an ENTIRE YEAR instead of half a year. That should return him into freshman year form while maybe even getting better

[HSCfan]

I don't know if I consider Echols a sleeper...he is obviously the second-best returning player for LC and burst onto the scene as a freshman with his scoring prowess. Although he missed the first half of last season, teams were ready for his return and he will be the top outside option for the Hornets this year...as I'm sure all ODAC teams are, rightfully, well aware!

[odacfan1225]

This may not be a sleeper at all, but Jordan Brown should elevate his game even more this year, with some experience.

[TDizzle21]

Hey I just wanted to know if anyone has info on Malcolm Nelson?

[emufan]

There was an article in Harrisonburg's newspaper this week regarding BC getting two transfer's who played their high school ball at R. E. Lee.  Eli Crawford and Hosea would be outstanding players for any ODAC team and would certainly help BC.  I hope they choose to go to EMU.

[HSCfan]

Malcolm Nelson went to Trinity Episcopal in Richmond and had an excellent senior season after coming back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of his junior high school and AAU season, which kept him under the radar. His brother, Marcus, was recruited by a few ODAC schools, but wound up at Army where he plays now.

Malcolm is a big, athletic point (about 6-0 and pretty strong) who is super at making the guys around him better. The scary part about him is that he doesn't need to score in order to have a great impact on a game. He's a long defender with quick hands and offensively, finds ways to get teammates the ball in situations where they can succeed. His outside shot may be inconsistent, but that's what the preseason is for.

Look for Malcolm to be a force at some point in his freshman season and an immediate impact player for Randolph. They can really build around this kid.

[hasanova]

I think Tyler Sanborn at Guilford will have a big year.  He's 6'10" and strong and he's had two years of practice against Ben Strong.  Coach Palombo's been sending him to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp and Tyler improved a lot from freshman to sophomore.  He missed about 5 games last season with an ankle injury, but I think he may shine as a junior this year on a team where he and Clay Henson are the returning starters.

[osnapitsodac]

I also think Tyler will have a big year if not huge. THere really isnt anybody who can guard him one on one clay should benefit from theses doubles.but everybody misses strong.