MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

Macon beats Mason 73-72. 

That's great!  Congratulations to Hampden-Sydney also!

[HSCfan]

I remember a while back someone said that macon might beat richmond but several posters said that would be stretching it.  we can now put that to rest.  Macon is the real deal.

I don't mean to gloat, of course, but that guy was me

Of course, you get both sides of the equation...the Mason website makes sure to harp on the fact that two freshmen were in the game down the stretch, but a win over of a DI opponent, albeit an exhibition, is something to take into consideration to say the least. Congrats to Macon and yikes...looks like R-MC has made a claim for a top-10 bid already...

[sludge]

Macon beats Mason 73-72. 

OMG!  Congrats on that! "Way to represent".   

If it really is a year for underdogs, RMC better watch out.  You'll be facing one or two every week.

[rmc1982]

I think the Chile trip,coupled with the emotion this team has now in the wake of Coach Rhoades' tragedy,contributed to this victory tonite.It will be interesting to see how well they play at Richmond on the 15th.Although I personally think we are a legitimate top 10 team nationally,there are also some potentially very good teams in our conference who will beat us during the course of the season.VWC and HSC are two of them.This is gonna be a long,grueling season in the ODAC.....

[Jacketlawyer]

I think the Chile trip,coupled with the emotion this team has now in the wake of Coach Rhoades' tragedy,contributed to this victory tonite.It will be interesting to see how well they play at Richmond on the 15th.Although I personally think we are a legitimate top 10 team nationally,there are also some potentially very good teams in our conference who will beat us during the course of the season.VWC and HSC are two of them.This is gonna be a long,grueling season in the ODAC.....

Lovin' it.  Way to go, Jackets!

I hope the Richmond/R-MC game gets a good turn-out.  Wish I could go see that game; my undergraduate school v. law school.  But won't be able to make it.

[baselinejam]

I think the Chile trip,coupled with the emotion this team has now in the wake of Coach Rhoades' tragedy,contributed to this victory tonite.It will be interesting to see how well they play at Richmond on the 15th.Although I personally think we are a legitimate top 10 team nationally,there are also some potentially very good teams in our conference who will beat us during the course of the season.VWC and HSC are two of them.This is gonna be a long,grueling season in the ODAC.....

Lovin' it.  Way to go, Jackets!

I hope the Richmond/R-MC game gets a good turn-out.  Wish I could go see that game; my undergraduate school v. law school.  But won't be able to make it.

At GMU no less! Way to go Macon!

[rmc1982]

I'm goin' Jacketlawyer-Athletic dept is having a hospitality romm for YJ club members and you know how we Jackets love a party!  Myself and my SAE frat 'bro Jesse Helleyer are gonna make that trip.....

[Jacketlawyer]

I'm goin' Jacketlawyer-Athletic dept is having a hospitality romm for YJ club members and you know how we Jackets love a party!  Myself and my SAE frat 'bro Jesse Helleyer are gonna make that trip.....

rmc1982, that's great, and when I wrote "turn-out," this is exactly what I was referring to!  Excellent! 8)

I may still make it but the 15th is also the day of the Hampden-Sydney football game, and I want to make my 24th game in 25 years.  A slide up to Richmond from H-S may be a bit too much for me. regardless of the draw.

But hopefully the Richmond area R-M alumni will get over to the Robins Center.  A lot of 'em!

[donho]

  rmc1982, see  you at richmond.

[jdubyadubya]

the pre-season All Americans list overlooked ODAC! I guess we'll just have to show the rest of the country that we have a couple of guys who just might belong on that august roster.

[3sdown]

RMC has a lot to prove (due to some of the shortcomings over previous seasons) and this team may be a bit different from previous editions.  The team dealing with a tragic situation and missing the leader of the program for many days and responding like this against George Mason.  Says a lot about the players, Coach Byers, and Coach Rhoades.  What it tells me is this team is TOUGH.  Mentally tough and that has been a missing component over the last couple of years.

With that said...These games (George Mason and University of Richmond) mean absolutely NOTHING other than perhaps the win at George Mason will have everyone's attention that RMC plays, which means that RMC will have a target on their back for the rest of the season.  RMC will have UofR's full attention on the 15th and a whole lot more will be known about this RMC team after the UofR game.  First, UofR (although weak in previous years) runs a fairly complicated offense that will test RMC's defense, particularly if RMC plays man-to-man.  UofR will test the ability of RMC's players to play together, maintain discipline, and be MENTALLY TOUGH.  RMC has a ton of offense, but can this team be mentally tough and stop other teams.  Second, RMC will be playing with "EXPECTATIONS" at UofR after the victory at George Mason.  The ability of the RMC team to respond to these expectations will be critical, especially considering the fact that expectations are building rapidly for this team. 

Championships are not handed out in early November, but Championships are earned game by game.  Championship teams play one game at a time.  Once that game is over then they play the next game without thinking about the previous game or some game in the future.  Championships are won not by talented teams and coaches and by "big" victories in an exhibition game.  Championships are won by teams that are MENTALLY TOUGH and teams that PLAY TOGETHER one game at a time recognizing that victory must be earned each game.   

In my opinion, RMC is the most talented team in the ODAC and a Top 10 talented team in the nation.  Talented players and a top-rated coaching staff is a necessity and a great start.  However, these atributes do not automatically make a Champion.  Clearly the question about RMC is can the players remain MENTALLY TOUGH and PLAY TOGETHER one game at a time while not thinking about past victories and future games??

The answer to that question REMAINS TO BE SEEN and folks that is why they play the games.  And the answer to the above question in a nutshell will determine the outcome of the season for RMC.       

[donho]

 Nice post 3sdown,very nice post.

[HSCfan]

Well said 3sdown...gave me some goosebumps!!!! Just one more week!

ODAC...let's show the country just how many talented individuals, teams, and coaches we have in the ol' Commonwealth (+1 in the ol' North State ; that's for you hasa!)!!!!

[hasanova]

Well said 3sdown...gave me some goosebumps!!!! Just one more week!

ODAC...let's show the country just how many talented individuals, teams, and coaches we have in the ol' Commonwealth (+1 in the ol' North State ; that's for you hasa!)!!!!

Thanks!  Your post made me laugh.  Does it count for anything that I was born and raised in the Commonwealth (Patrick Co.) just a few miles from the birthplace of General James Ewell Brown Stuart, who's much more well known simply as Jeb?  Ah, and all the 4-H camps I attended at Holiday Lake near Appomattox when Patrick was always paired with Bedford!   

[sludge]

Wow, 3sdown.  That was like a piece of hasanova poetry there.