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Chris Carlson

Decent at lots of things, and great at very few, Chris Carlson is The Pilot sports department’s utility man. Depending on the season, you can check here for insights on Norfolk State football, high school sports, ODU women’s basketball and Norfolk Tides baseball.

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■ 06 February 2012 | 8:25 PM

ODU women: CAA Power Poll 8.0

1. Delaware ( 20-1, 11-0, RPI is No. 6) – Looking forward to seeing Elena Delle Donne on Thursday. I don’t think ODU will have any choice but to use Tia Lewis to guard her. Lewis is quick enough and long enough to cause some problems, but she’s not accustomed to guarding players on the perimeter. Teams seem to be closing the gap on Delaware. Two of the Blue Hens’ last three wins have been by single-digits. I guess that’s progress. Previously 1.
 
2. James Madison (17-5, 8-3, RPI is No. 36) – Not exactly the most inspiring week from the Dukes with a two-point win over ODU and a four-point win over George Mason. Still, JMU avoided the upset trap, which is better than the two teams just below. I believe James Madison gets an NCAA bid if it avoids upsets the rest of the way, but the Dukes probably have to be perfect with a CAA championship appearance. Previously 2.
 
3. Hofstra (16-6, 8-3, RPI is No. 56) – If the Pride can find a way to bottle up their second halves, then they’d be something to watch. Hofstra likes to wear teams down, but it can’t afford to fall behind while doing so. Old Dominion finally showed why. Previously 3.
 
4. Drexel (11-10, 7-4, RPI is No. 93) – The opposite of Hofstra. Drexel can’t afford to fall behind, because its methodical style of play makes it hard to catch up. Previously 4.
 
5. UNC-Wilmington (RPI is No. 72)  – Getting more and more tempted to move the Seahawks up, but, just like last year, UNCW is benefitting from a friendly schedule. I do think Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is one of the CAA’s two best coaches at the moment. Previously 5.
 
6. VCU (13-9, 6-5, RPI is No. 81) – The Rams have two stars that show up almost every night. That means they don’t lose to teams worse than them very often, but it also gives them a very limited ceiling. Previously 6.
 
7. George Mason (11-11, 5-6, RPI is No. 179) – The Patriots go hot and cold and right now they’re warm. A four-point loss in Harrisonburg isn’t bad, but which way does George Mason head from here? Previously 7.
 
8. Old Dominion (8-15, 5-6, RPI is No. 197) – Like George Mason, the Lady Monarchs give you a wild ride. Unlike the Patriots, it’s not game-by-game, it’s half-by-half. Still, ODU has played some good halves against very good teams and they’re improving. And, hey, looks who is three spots below in RPI, Karen Barefoot’s old school, Elon. Previously 9.
 
9. William & Mary (9-13, 2-9, RPI is 191)  – It was actually tough to penalize the Tribe for close losses to UNC-Wilminton and Hofstra. Consider this more like 8B. Previously 10.

 

10. Towson (13-9, 4-7, RPI is No. 77) – Needed overtime to beat Georgia State at home. Sorry. Not buying it. Previously 8.

11. Northeastern (4-18, 2-9, RPI is No. 227) – Still has two conference wins against Georgia State’s one. Previously 11.
 
Georgia State (7-15, 1-10, RPI is No. 217) – Panthers make sure they won’t go conference season winless with a home win over Huskies. Previously 12.
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