CAA Saturday

RICHMOND

First, let's dispense with Towson. ODU certainly did, in a dominant 86-56 win here today, the most lopsided Monarch victory in a CAA tourney game. (The old record: An 83-58 win over William and Mary in '94.)

What's to say, except that ODU pounded Towson on the glass, grabbing a CAA record 60 rebounds? The rebound margin of 33  was also a CAA tournament record.

It was a vintage ODU performance, all muscle and length. The Monarchs were up 25 by the time they hit their first 3-pointer, with 13:40 left.

All in all, it was about half a day's work for the starters, none of whom played more than 26 minutes. ODU's bench scored 41 points, to 0 for Towson's reserves.

A dominant performance, but now it's on to VCU, the only team here that sleeps in its own beds during the tournament. Much is made of VCU's hometown advantage. The Rams have won two of the last three CAA tournaments and three of the last six playing a long 3-pointer from home.

There's nothing that Monarchs can do about that. They'll have to try to offset VCU's built-in advantages (more fans, proximity to home) with fresher legs and bigger bodies. ODU out-rebounded the Rams 34-22 in its 73-70 win Feb. 27. The Monarchs got VCU big man Larry Sanders in foul trouble and countered five VCU 3-pointers with three of their own.

Still, it was just a 3-point game that came down to ODU making a few more hustle plays down the stretch. Expect another close one Sunday in Richmond.

-- Ed Miller

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