Synopsis of Old Dominion team

[ODUsmitty]

You are exactly right....

ODU had some horrendous losses in November - January, with Ga. State and Bucknell carrying the greatest stench.

Fortunately, it is a long season, and after late-January, we have only lost two games. One to Hofstra (top 100 rpi team, by the way), and VCU in the semi's of the CAA tourney.

We are very beatable ,especially if our guards cannot make shots from the outside. Our offense is predicated on the inside by Lee and Hassell and by O-rebounding; but we must keep defenses honest by hitting some outside shots to play well.

In Section 1, mezzanine, row WC1. How is my seat??

Let's hope for a game where we both play well. I, for one, am really excited about this matchup.

[shaunguth]

ODU had some horrendous losses in November - January, with Ga. State and Bucknell carrying the greatest stench.

Fortunately, it is a long season, and after late-January, we have only lost two games. One to Hofstra (top 100 rpi team, by the way), and VCU in the semi's of the CAA tourney.

We are very beatable ,especially if our guards cannot make shots from the outside. Our offense is predicated on the inside by Lee and Hassell and by O-rebounding; but we must keep defenses honest by hitting some outside shots to play well.

In Section 1, mezzanine, row WC1. How is my seat??

Let's hope for a game where we both play well. I, for one, am really excited about this matchup.

I believe that's behind the concrete wall at the top of the lower bowl. WC = wheelchair ?

Section 1 being center court. Glad you're making the trip!

[Da Coach]

In Section 1, mezzanine, row WC1. How is my seat??

Let's hope for a game where we both play well. I, for one, am really excited about this matchup.

Section 1 puts you even with midcourt. The Mezzanine is the walkway that separates the lower bowl and the upper bowl. Those are very good seats right behind the lower bowl seats. The WC1 is a moveable chair designated for a handicapped person in a wheel chair if needed.

[ODUsmitty]

Won't need the handicapped access, but stoked about center court......

[shaunguth]

Won't need the handicapped access, but stoked about center court......

Yes.....very good seats indeed!

[BUFAN]

ODU had some horrendous losses in November - January, with Ga. State and Bucknell carrying the greatest stench.

Fortunately, it is a long season, and after late-January, we have only lost two games. One to Hofstra (top 100 rpi team, by the way), and VCU in the semi's of the CAA tourney.

We are very beatable ,especially if our guards cannot make shots from the outside. Our offense is predicated on the inside by Lee and Hassell and by O-rebounding; but we must keep defenses honest by hitting some outside shots to play well.

In Section 1, mezzanine, row WC1. How is my seat??

Let's hope for a game where we both play well. I, for one, am really excited about this matchup.

Thanks for the scouting report smitty. I was on your board and someone mentioned they were coming in for the game and were also planning to gamble. The local riverboat casino is the Par-a-dice and they have a nice hotel. I think the Par-a-dice hotel offers shuttle service to civic center events. Don't know what travel arrangements you have made, but that could be a fun option. You have a nice seat, the civic center is off campus and offers adult beverages, enjoy...

[mrcoachdude]

Won't need the handicapped access, but stoked about center court......

I'll check in that section and ask for Smitty.....its always cool to say hi to a fan of the other team....especiallly civil ones

[ODUsmitty]

I doubt that I will sport any red attire that evening, so I should be easy to find.

Adult beverages sound, well, like a great way to celebrate a solid road win; or, it could go in the other direction........

Remember our game a few years back. We owe you guys!

[bigblueodu]

Looking forward to the game. We played a weak nonconference schedule and under performed becuz we have a bunch of youngins. We had some early growing pains but we ended the season well, winning 13 of the last 15.
In that span Hofstra beat us at their home (tough home court) and VCU beat us by 8 with our captain out with a twisted ankle.
Our attendance is usually much better then it has been for this tournament. We lead the league in the regular season, but 2 of the CIT games were head to head against the NCAA's.

[BUFAN]

Looking forward to the game. We played a weak nonconference schedule and under performed becuz we have a bunch of youngins. We had some early growing pains but we ended the season well, winning 13 of the last 15.
In that span Hofstra beat us at their home (tough home court) and VCU beat us by 8 with our captain out with a twisted ankle.
Our attendance is usually much better then it has been for this tournament. We lead the league in the regular season, but 2 of the CIT games were head to head against the NCAA's.

I overlooked the fact you won 13 of the last 15, that says a lot, the CAA is a very good league...

[Beninator]

I'll check in that section and ask for Smitty.....its always cool to say hi to a fan of the other team....especiallly civil ones

Will do the same with mrcoachdude as we are in the same area.

[Big Blue]

Hello from Old Dominion.
Looking forward to this game. We have a lot of respect for the MVC as well as your program. We feel the CAA is a very strong mid-major conference and are gunning for the MVC. We are just very weak at the bottom from year to year, and not quite as strong at the top, but competitive.

Here is what to look for from Old Dominion. We are very deliberate on offense. We will call and run set plays on almost every possession. Defense is our strength. It's nothing a casual fan can appreciate though. Nothing flashy, but we will force you deep into the shot clock. We change defenses often. Our best is a 3-2 zone where we will put a 6'6" or 6'7" player at the top of the key. We get away with this by having two of our big men down low who know how to position themselves for rebounds. We don't jump well. We don't shoot well from behind the arc, but have the capability of getting hot like most teams in the country. We handle the ball well from a turnover perspective, but we don't have great dribblers. It's odd, I know. When we turn the ball over, it will be because of traveling, offensive fouls, and trying to make a "highlight" pass. The latter usually earns a trip to the bench if not executed. Teams typically don't steal the ball from us.

Our big men are decent FT shooters. It's a mixed bag with the rest. We have a bunch of lefties which can surprise teams who are not ready for it.

This has been one of our most difficult teams to figure out, probably because we are very young. But we went through a stretch in the middle of the season where we did not play with any heart. We corrected that and have gone on a 13-2 run since. There has been a noticable change in our demeanor on the court.

Just for fun, watch our coach on the sidelines during the first half. He gets so into our defense that it looks like he is the sixth man.

Again, looking forward to this CAA-MVC showdown. Would love to see more games between us but as I understand it, CAA teams find it difficult to travel to the Midwest in December especially when connecting flights (sometimes 3) are involved, and vice-versa.

[Da Coach]

Welcome, and thanks for the report.

[thefish7]

Welcome to Peoria, ODU fans!

I think this will be a very interesting basketball game. Bradley, for all intents and purposes, ends up playing very small (some debate as to if this is the coach's desire, or if it's personnel based) and it looks ODU is quite the opposite. I expect this thing to be speed vs. power and an interesting experiment along those lines. Really looking forward to it!