Barton, and Larsen

The tallest guy in the building was in street clothes last night, in ODU's 91-62 exhibition win over Barton College.

Freshman Anton Larsen didn't dress for the game, and probably won't this year.

"We're going to probably redshirt him," coach Blaine Taylor said.

No big surprise there. The 7-footer from Copenhagen, Denmark needs to add strength and adjust to the faster American game. There also don't appear to be many minutes available for him, with five other players 6-foot-8 or taller.

Larsen played in the blue-white game last week and could have played last night without jeopardizing his redshirt. Taylor said he wants to concentrate on working NIck Wright and Chris Cooper into the mix, though. Playing Larsen would have only slowed that process.

A few other tidbits from last night.

ODU went just 1-for-15 from 3-point range. Taylor said he hoped some of the misses were attributable to the fact that the Monarchs have not been able to practice in the Constant Center much during pre-season.

"We certainly can shoot the ball a lot better than we did," he said.

The game was a stark example of the main difference between Division I and Division II: size. The Monarchs, big for a D1 team, looked leviathan compared to the smaller Bulldogs. It was most telling on the offensive glass, where the Monarchs played handball all evening - putting in second and sometimes third shots.

Kent Bazemore continued to impress, going 7 for 10 from the field and bringing energy all over the floor.

"I've been around for a while - this is my third year," Bazemore said. "It's time to get those freshman jitters out of the way and play ball."

-- Ed Miller

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More on Richard Ross

It sounds as if Kent Bazemore may have some competition next year in the slam dunk department.

Bazemore's two late aerial assaults provided the sizzle at ODU's Blue/White Scrimmage Friday night, but now comes the newest Monarch, Richard Ross of Wichita Falls, Tex., who committed Saturday.

"High flyer" was the phrase that Ross' high school coach, Don Hedge, kept returning to when describing his 6-6 forward.

The phrase "unbelievable athlete" was also uttered several times by Hedge, who played for ODU coach Blaine Taylor at Montana, and 16 years later, is thrilled to be sending his old college coach a player.

"It's a perfect fit," Hedge said.

Hedge would know, He played for Taylor from 1991-93 and runs a similar system at Hirschi High, where Ross helped the team to a 24-7 record last year.

Ross averaged 13 points and 14 rebounds and has been improving by leaps (pun intended) and bounds, Hedge said.

"He's the hardest worker I've ever had," Hedge said.

And by far the best dunker, for what it's worth. Hedge described a play in an AAU game in which Ross stole the ball at halfcourt, then passed it between his legs to shield it from a defender - before dunking it over him.

"It was like something you see in a slam dunk contest," he said. "Except it happened in a game."

Ross high-jumped 7 feet in track and field last year, with little practice.

"They just asked me to come out," he said.

He said he plays "all over the place" on his basketball team, but is working on his ballhandling and shooting skills. Hedge said Ross is a rapidly-improving shooter who is far ahead of where he expected him to be heading into his senior year.

Recruiting hype aside, he appears to be a good fit for a system that emphasizes toughness, defense and rebounding. He also seems to be a player with a good "up" side - and not just as a leaper.

"When his skills catch up to his athletic ability, he's going to be something special," Hedge said.

-- Ed Miller

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Blue/White and TV

Back from ODU's, um, coronation in Washington. It's hard to get 12 coaches to agree on anything, but some consensus emerged at the CAA media day at the ESPN Zone.

1. The conference is better than it was last year, and probably better than it's been since 2005-06.

2. ODU is the best of an improved bunch.

It's hard to argue with any of that. In a bigger, deeper and more talented CAA, ODU is the biggest, deepest and most talented team. Fans can get their first look at the Monarchs Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Blue/White game at the Ted.

Meanwhile, to whet your appetite, here's the TV schedule for the 2009-10 season.

-- Ed Miller

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Marshall to Butler

When we spoke to ODU recruiting target Khyle Marshall before his visit to Norfolk last week, he told us he'd be making up his mind soon. Obviously, he wasn't kidding. Shortly after returning from Norfolk, Marshall committed to Butler, the Miami Herald reported today. Here's a link to the story.

-- Ed Miller

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Khyle Marshall

One of ODU's top recruiting targets will be in town this weekend. Khyle Marshall, a 6-foot-6 forward from Flanagan High in Pembroke Pines, Fla. will be making his official visit.

Marshall was the South Florida Sun Sentinel's large school player of the year last season. He's the No.113 prospect in the class of 2010, according to rivals.com.

Marshall sounds every bit that and more in this Miami Herald story. We caught up with Marshall and Flanagan assistant coach Alberto Jempierre Thursday, as Marshall prepared to head to Norfolk. It's his third visit. He's already been to Butler and UAB and is also reportedly receiving interest from Kansas State and Missouri.

"Kyle's going to pick a situation that's good athletically and academically," Jempierre said. "Both of his parents have master's degrees, and he has a 3.4/3.5 GPA."

ODU coach Blaine Taylor had an in-home visit last week. Marshall said it "went well." He's not sure if he'll take his final two recruiting visits, he said. He plans to decide on a school next month and sign during the early signing period, which begins Nov. 11.

-- Ed Miller

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schedule complete

The CAA portion of the schedule is out, with the only uncertainty the exact dates of some of the games currently scheduled for Wednesdays. Those games could change a day either way depending on TV.

hamptonroads.com/2009/09/odu-men-finalize-200910-basketball-schedule

Meanwhile, pre-season workouts are underway. Early reports are that the players came in in good shape, with Darius James and Marsharee Neely adding some muscle, though Neely's gain may be offset by the loss of some weight from the top off his head, I'm hearing. Goodbye, dreadlocks.

Gerald Lee's elbow brace is off, but he's still being held out of contact.

-- Ed Miller

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Blaine back home

Courtesy of sports information director Carol Hudson, here's a story on Blaine Taylor's recent appearance at the Montana Coaches Association clinic. The native son of Big Sky Country packed them in, and had some interesting comments about his coaching influences.

Also, assistant coach Jim Corrgian is now tweeting. Follow him here.

- Ed Miller

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Schedule soon

Burned up the international phone lines Tuesday tracking down Anton Larsen, the Monarchs' latest commitment. Finally got him about 6 p.m. our time, which is 1 a.m. in Copenhagen. Not to worry, Larsen said, he was up anyway. Larsen was clearly excited about coming to ODU, saying it's been his dream to play ball in the U.S. He arrives in late August.

Look for ODU's schedule to be released next week. Among the highlights is a loaded South Padre Island Invitational tournament at Thanksgiving. Richmond, Mississippi State and Missouri are also in the field. The Spiders have four starters back and also get forward Dan Geriot back from a knee injury. Mississippi State, SEC tournament champs last year, looks absolutely stacked, with this guy back, and this guy coming in, although not without some baggage.

Missouri advanced to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight last year. And, of course, the Monachs return virtually everyone from a 25-10 team that won the Collegeinsider.com tournament.

-- Ed Miller

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Big Blue BBQ time

   It's time for the Big Blue BBQ.

   Thursday afternoon behind the Ted Constant Convocation Center from 5 to 8 p.m.

   Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. To orde tickets, call 683-4444.

   Proceeds benefit the ODU men's basketball team.

   The coaching staff and players will be there and the Island Boys Band will be playing.

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Big Blue BBQ

The annual bash is tomorrow (Thursday May 7) from 5 to 8 p.m. behind the Ted Constant Center.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, with proceeds going to the team. To order, call 683-4444

There will be live music, Norfolk Sheriff Bob McCabe's barbeque and raffle prizes. It's also a chance to meet and mingle with players and coaches.

With excitement about next year's team running high, expect a big turnout.

-- Ed Miller

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