MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[y_jack_lok]

^^^ No doubt I watch more RMC than you do. But also no doubt that you watch a lot more of the other top teams than I do. I have no quarrell with wherever you rank teams at any time. I was just initially curious about your reasoning re RMC and Roanoke coming into this season, given that both were in the Top 25, but not on your ballot. So, thanks for your thoughts. I do think, though, that you overestimate Robinson's impact on the team last season. For sure he was their one player with name recognition, and they don't have anyone that is a household name this season. I'm just as curious as you are to see how they stack up this season. The first four games are vs CNU, at Mary Washington, vs H-SC, and at Hood. That has the potential to be an 0-4 start.

[Macon]

'82, saw your football post and likewise I was at the YJ Club and in the tailgating.  The tailgating was huge, shoulder to shoulder crowded.

As to basketball,  I talked to numerous basketball alums, everyone mentioned the schedule.   Several of these guys are headed to Vegas to see the team out there.   Also, had a quick conversation with Coach, no real basketball talk.

Lots of optimism among the alums, and real good talk about the freshmen.  I was walking behind the 6-9 freshman and he's a legitimate 6-9.

Can't wait to get things going in Crenshaw!

[rmc1982]

We usually slip up to 3rd floor to watch the game because the view is better! the only people up there were a few of the leftover PA grad alums. talked to some pretty heavy hitters Money wise that are on the Board of Trustees and we will move to 2K PLUS enrollment soon with maybe some new exciting majors too-WE'RE GROWING!!

[rmc1982]

^^^ Yes, RMC doesn't seem to have any well-known players on the roster this season. As I was watching your video I noticed that as you were talking about each team the vast majority of them had at least one player you were high on, or a core group of returners you seemed to know something about. One team you included high on your list where you didn't really do that was Wash U, who you put at #8, I believe. This isn't the place to discuss Wash U, and I'm well aware that they are always good because I watch some of their games since I live in Saint Louis, but I view Wash U and RMC as being in similar situations this season.

I have a bit more confidence in what WashU's bringing back (and I had them 14th, not 8th) than RMC right now.  I've heard tremendous things about Merkel's freshman class, but they were so dependent on those guards the last couple years, I want to see what it looks like on the floor before I buy in.  My main issue with RMC the last two years was how few second options they had.  If Robinson wasn't on for a game, they really struggled to score; very few offensive options.  There's a good possibility that not having him will force them to be more diverse and work out better in the long run, but again, that's a lot of speculation.

Also, fair or otherwise, a name program like RMC, with a super strong schedule, is never going to lack for attention.  It's just easier for me to leave a team like that off in the preseason in favor of lesser known programs that might benefit from the extra eyes an early Top 25 vote gets them.

As a practice, I don't like preseason polls at all, because it's pure speculation.  I get their purpose, but I certainly don't think inclusion or exclusion means anything for the teams involved.

NEVER EVER count Josh Merkel out! I know we have a tough early schedule but Ryan you just put yourself on the locker room wall with that explanation, correct or not! I agree we have lots to prove, but time and time again Josh and his kids have risen to the occasion. Even if we come out of this 0-4, I would expect him to have them much more ready after Christmas.....he usually does!If we come out of this 3-1 or more realistically 2-2 I would expect them right back in the thick of it all!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

^^^ Yes, RMC doesn't seem to have any well-known players on the roster this season. As I was watching your video I noticed that as you were talking about each team the vast majority of them had at least one player you were high on, or a core group of returners you seemed to know something about. One team you included high on your list where you didn't really do that was Wash U, who you put at #8, I believe. This isn't the place to discuss Wash U, and I'm well aware that they are always good because I watch some of their games since I live in Saint Louis, but I view Wash U and RMC as being in similar situations this season.

I have a bit more confidence in what WashU's bringing back (and I had them 14th, not 8th) than RMC right now.  I've heard tremendous things about Merkel's freshman class, but they were so dependent on those guards the last couple years, I want to see what it looks like on the floor before I buy in.  My main issue with RMC the last two years was how few second options they had.  If Robinson wasn't on for a game, they really struggled to score; very few offensive options.  There's a good possibility that not having him will force them to be more diverse and work out better in the long run, but again, that's a lot of speculation.

Also, fair or otherwise, a name program like RMC, with a super strong schedule, is never going to lack for attention.  It's just easier for me to leave a team like that off in the preseason in favor of lesser known programs that might benefit from the extra eyes an early Top 25 vote gets them.

As a practice, I don't like preseason polls at all, because it's pure speculation.  I get their purpose, but I certainly don't think inclusion or exclusion means anything for the teams involved.

NEVER EVER count Josh Merkel out! I know we have a tough early schedule but Ryan you just put yourself on the locker room wall with that explanation, correct or not! I agree we have lots to prove, but time and time again Josh and his kids have risen to the occasion. Even if we come out of this 0-4, I would expect him to have them much more ready after Christmas.....he usually does!If we come out of this 3-1 or more realistically 2-2 I would expect them right back in the thick of it all!

I've got a long history of providing Merkel with bulletin board material.  It's seemed to work out pretty well for them so far.

[Tigerfan]

Perhaps I missed this news, but, in looking at ODAC teams while preparing my annual preseason ODAC rankings, I noticed that Jamarcus Brown is not on the Lynchburg roster.  He transferred to D2 St Leo in Florida.  Given that he was first team All-ODAC, 20 ppg, Defensive POY and generally a fantastic athlete, that will definitely affect my placement of LC LU UL.  Little did I know that the deal was already done this summer when I suggested that ODAC foes wouldn't mind seeing him hit the transfer portal. 

[Tigerfan]

Prior to the Coaches Poll, here is my ranking:

1. Randolph-Macon: it would be real easy to put them at #2, with the loss of 2 special players, each with over 1K points, but everyone else is also dealing with personnel losses.  This program has had no problem with continuity, so they already have guys who are talented and experienced along with a reputedly strong freshman class.

2. Roanoke: I've got to put someone here, so I'll go with the defending champs.  They'll be led by All ODAC first teamer Jackson Bell, but lost Marcus Morgan, their swiss army knife, and Patrick Clevenger, another solid low mistake player.  However they do have Coach Clay Nunley - the man took Randolph to the NCAA tournament and 3 ODAC championship games!

3. Hampden-Sydney: They lost a huge number of players, but the nucleus of Travis Stickney and Peter Moye remains. With a host of new players offering size, speed, shooting and high motors to go with some returning experience, the Tigers are seeking a return to top tier.  My inherent bias also leads me to place them here.

4. Guilford:  Jesse DeLoof had a full year to recruit his type of player and his large recruiting class includes 4 transfers.  One of them is Oliver Jones, who averaged 11 minutes a game over 38 games the past 2 seasons at Randolph-Macon.  Braylen Saunders and his 20 ppg returns.

5.  Batten (formerly Va Wesleyan):  Omari Devaux and Amari Moorer are hard to replace.  1 and 2 in scoring, assists and minutes, 3 and 1 in rebounds.  I'm putting the Marlins here because Dave Macedo can coach.

6.  Lynchburg:  Jamarcus Brown was a once in a generation type player for the Hornets and his transfer after 2 seasons is tough.  They do have a lot of other returning players including excellent 3 point shooter Jayson Easton who is back for a grad year.  Getting more effective guard play has to be a point of emphasis for Coach Scott.

7.  W&L:  they seem to always have at least one outstanding player, but lack depth and athleticism.  Connor Amorosi is certainly an outstanding player and Addison Newkirk (last season's ROY) gives them another quality big.  They lost their experienced guards including Colin Ryan and his league leading 128 assists so they will need some guys to level up if they want to do better than .500 in the ODAC.

8. Averett:  Coach Dave Doino does an excellent job with, I suspect, much less resources at financially strapped Averett.  The Cougars were particularly tough at home last year with wins over R-MC, VWU and H-SC.  Lost leading scorer/rebounder 2nd team All ODAC Jackson Sellars, but return just about everyone else with newcomers including 4 transfers with college game experience. 

9, 10, 11: Some combination of Shenandoah, EMU and BC - haven't looked at them because I'm getting tired. 

12. Randolph

Gotta pull the trigger on this and hit "Post" or I'll re-think the entire thing.