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.