MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[rmc1982]

Yep, quite the surprising result in Crenshaw. Defensively it seemed that Jackets were coming from nowhere to double and triple team whichever Tiger was holding on to the ball for more than two seconds, resulting in turnovers. Jackets were also quicker on both ends. Coach Merkle said in the post-game interview that he likes the team's depth and quickness (or he might have said speed). Anyway, no laurels to be rested on. Every game is a new game. I hope the Jackets play as well on Saturday vs Roanoke.

My big take was also Delani Hammonds, our lightning quick Sophomore guard from Charlotte,NC who was one of the ones applying the pressure! Hes incredibly fast and for as fast as he is he always seems under control! Another standout was Ty Showalter, another  Sophomore North Carolinian from Charlotte! I was disappointed that Brady Lam didn't play more.The Freshman from the Charlottesville area was highly touted at the start of the season, seems to have gotten into Coach Merkel's doghouse for what I understand was not working hard enough on his defense in practice, which is a HUGE NO NO in our program, which thrives on defensive pressure! He did play some, but not nearly as much as he has been, which led me to ask some questions of my frat brothers who were also big in our basketball program and who I knew had the answer as to why. Lets hope he works his way back into Coach Merkel's good graces! After Saturdays game comes exam break, and if our Freshmen don't know how serious we are about our players academic progress THEY WILL BE if they don't do well in the classroom!! Hope we're on Saturday vs the Maroons as much as we were last night! GO JACKETS!!

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ Speaking of Brady Lam not getting many minutes, Ollie Jones didn't play at all. I can't imagine it was for lack of effort on defense in practice. Do you know if he was sick or injured?

[Seatfiller]

Wow!! Didn't see that coming!! Jackets rolling on all cylinders and  WAX the Tigers by 35 and force 27 turnovers!! I expected a better game from HSC but we had a lot to do with that tonite!! Jackets ROLL!! 85-50!!🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 I think by the time we meet again the Tigers will be more battle hardened! They looked a little complacent and unaccustomed to the physical play tonight.... That will change.... I expect them to improve with time and experience. We have Roanoke coming in Saturday.... We don't have time to sit on our laurels.... Let's keep ROLLING JACKETS!!🐝🐝🐝🐝

Hooray Roanoke gets to go against the RMC juggernaut who will be at home on Saturday...always fun...for RMC.  In other news Roanoke got a big win against Guilford yesterday. The game was close with Guilford taking the early lead and RC winning at half by 9.  RC would pull away in the second half but the game was way closer than its finish at 98-79. 

Next up Noke gets the always fun RMC team that we've had little to no success with in the past decade.  Hopefully Roanoke comes to play or it could get ugly. Coach Nunley always does a good job game planning so we should at least give them a fight.

[rmc1982]

^^^ Speaking of Brady Lam not getting many minutes, Ollie Jones didn't play at all. I can't imagine it was for lack of effort on defense in practice. Do you know if he was sick or injured?

That one I don't know....Ill try to find out..

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I've been surprised as how many minutes the freshmen are getting at RMC.  Merkel usually doesn't let them see the floor until they know the defense as well as the veterans.  I've felt Lam's minutes reflect really well on him.  I'd expect them to increase as the season goes along.