Basketball and Conference USA

Make no mistake, for Old Dominion, a move to Conference USA would be driven mostly by football considerations. Yes, the Monarchs have concerns about the long-term stability of the Colonial Athletic Association (we're looking at you, VCU and George Mason). but at its core, this would be about finding a Football Bowl Subdivision home for an ambitious and growing program.

So, then, what about men's basketball, which has been the school's flagship sport for decades?

Blaine Taylor's hoops program would be more than along for the ride. It's hardly a leap of faith to project that the Monarchs would be major players in CUSA from day one.

"I have a very strong belief that we can play in any league in the country, so I don't have a knee jerk reaction when asked about league affilation," Taylor said recently.

The numbers back up Taylor's contention, at least about CUSA. As Hampton Roads' local version of the Elias Sports Bureau, the estimable David Teel of the Daily Press, reports, both the CAA and CUSA have received four NCAA tourney at-large bids over the past seven years and have gone an identical 13-11 over that time.

Memphis has been CUSA's bell cow, owning all of its recent NCAA victories and reaching the championship game in 2008. The Tigers, of course, are bolting for the Big East after next year.

SMU, which recently hired coaching legend Larry Brown, also has one foot out the door. So does Central Florida, which has been a program on the rise.

Houston, which is also leaving, is a long way from its Phi Slamma Jamma days.

A CAA that retains VCU and George Mason would arguably be a superior league to CUSA.  If the Rams and Patriots leave for the Atlantic 10? Flip a coin.

ODU wouldn't have to say goodbye forever to its longtime rivals. The Monarchs could play many of their former CAA neighbors each year. 

Travel in CUSA would be a bear, relative to the cozy CAA. But it would be mitigated by divisional play. The Monarchs would not have to make the dusty ride to West Texas, for example, each year.

Still, it would be a change in culture. Although ODU fans love to complain about the CAA tournament being held in VCU's backyard, it is at least an easy drive. CUSA's last three tourneys have been held in Tulsa, El Paso, and Memphis. (The 2013 site has not been chosen).

Taylor said correctly that, as predicted, the CAA is now experiencing the "second wave" fall-out from last summer's conference realignment.

The building of the Constant Center and the success of the basketball program laid the foundation and created the momentum that the football program was able to build on, Taylor said. In his view, basketball would lead again, even in a move being driven ultimately by football.

"If we entered a new league, basketball would obviously have to lead the way, but football has proven it can keep up," he said.

Here's a link to last season's CUSA standings.  

 

Big Blue BBQ

Today's event outside Foreman Field (12:30-3 p.m.) marks not only the end of the basketball season, but the end of an era. Seniors Kent Bazemore, Chris Cooper, Marquel De Lancey and Trian Iliadis were the final holdovers from a stellar 4-year run that included a CIT title, two NCAA tournament appearances, and another CIT appearance in 2012.

"Kind of the remnants of the glory years," coach Blaine Taylor said. "Now we've got sort of a clean slate."

Assuming N.C. State transfer DeShawn Painter is eligible immediately, prospects for next year look bright. Painter would give the Monarchs the physical inside presence they need, and take some pressure off incoming freshman Ekene Anachebe.

That's not to say ODU won't need contributions from its five-member recruiting class.

"We're going to need some impactful freshmen next year," Taylor said. "Out of necessity, and opportunity."

Taylor  mentioned point guard Keenan Palmore, in particular, as a player who might be counted on early. He compared him to former lead guards Darius James and Drew Williamson, both of whom played major minutes as freshmen.

Finally, the rumors that won't die have resurfaced again. Numerous reports have VCU and George Mason headed to the Atlantic 10, sooner rather than later. The move would obviously have major implications for ODU, which would find itself in a weakened CAA. 

AD Wood Selig said Friday afternoon that he believes the denials coming from Fairfax and Richmond.

"Both Mason and VCU have dispelled the report," he said. "I don't know where it came from or the timing of it. Both VCU and George Mason, from the presidents to the ADs, have repeatedly maintained to their peers around the conference that they are solidy in the CAA."

For the moment, at least. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

What we currently know about Bazemore

We will have more in the next day or two, I'm sure, but for now, here's what we know about the bizarre arrest of Kent Bazemore prior to Wednesday night's CIT quarterfinal game vs. Mercer.

You can read my print story here.

Rumors began swirling after Bazemore warmed up, but was nowhere to be found once the game started. Several people who work at the game as support staff told me they were prevented from entering the back door of the Constant Center by police. Others said they'd seen numerous police cars on 45th Street just prior to the game, and had seen members of Bazemore's family hurrying from the arena.

Meanwhile, ODU officials were mum on why Bazemore was not at the game.

Police reporter MIke Connors confirmed that Bazemore was arrested. ODU coach Blaine Taylor said he had no idea what had taken place. ODU issued a statement saying Bazemore was suspended prior to the game for a "possible conduct issue."

The timing appeared to take Taylor completely by surprise.

It was a surreal way for Bazemore to end his ODU career. He played more games than any player in school history, but will be remembered for his final one, in which he didn't play.

His arrest stemmed from a DUI charge last summer. Among the questions to be asked are whether Taylor knew about the arrest, and if so, whether he took any disciplinary action at the time. There's also the question of why the Virginia Beach Police chose to arrest him when they did.

 

 

 

CIT

A few odds and ends:

If you missed last night's 68-66 win over Coastal Carolina in the opening round of the CIT, you had plenty of company. Just 2,200 fans turned out to watch a close, if not exactly well-played, game.

The Monarchs hope interest in the tourney will build as the field is winnowed. If you're feeling nostalgic, Sunday's second-round game at Scope could be the ticket for you. Look for American U. to be the opponent should the Eagles get by Buffalo tonight. That will only contribute to the old-school feel, as AU was a member of the CAA when ODU played at Scope.

What's the value of tournaments such as the CIT? I explored that question in a column  prior to Tuesday's game.

Ultimately, it's a philosophical, and, to a lesser extent, financial, call. I can tell you from talking to Blaine Taylor about it that he comes down on the side of continuing to play as long as possible. He still waxes about the team's 2009 CIT title run, and the benefits accrued over the next two seasons. There are also the warm-and-fuzzy feelings associated with cutting down the nets in the post-season, something only 4 of 344 teams get to do.

"I just know how fleeting it can be to be in the NCAAs," Taylor said. "As fun as it is, it can be a blur. Sometimes these other things, if you can have a little bit of success, can be a lot more long-lived."

Make no mistake, the NCAA tournament is the goal. But from Taylor's point of view, getting to play in something like the CIT is not a bad consolation prize.

"Old Dominion can win it," Coastal coach Cliff Ellis said.

Given the field, that's not a stretch. The CIT has some credible teams, but suffers from a lack of name recognition. While it's true that the teams in its field for the most part enjoyed better seasons in their conferences than teams in the rival CBI did in theirs, the CBI has bigger name programs, such as Butler and Pitt.

Imagine how a game against either of those teams would have drawn Tuesday.

A few other tidbits:

- If the CIT is partly about getting younger players some valuable experience, why no Jason Pimentel Tuesday? Richard Ross played 23 minutes, and Breon Key 16. Pimentel was a DNP-Coach's Decision.

Pimentel continues to struggle with conditioning issues and can only be effective in short stints. That said, he could see some time Sunday, if only to push Nick Wright, who was ineffective Tuesday, going 2 for 7, with 2 turnovers.

- The Monarchs continue to look for another player in the recruiting class of 2012, and are considering both junior college players and high school seniors. There are precious few of either remaining who are uncommitted, but the Monarchs have had success with late signess before. Taylor said the staff will probably attend the NJCAA national championships in Kansas this month.

JuCo recruiting is fairly foreign turf for ODU. The Monarchs have taken just one in Taylor's tenure.

ODU's immediate need is for an experienced power forward.

- It appears as if Wright won't be the only senior on the team next year. Anton Larsen, a third-year sophomore, will be reclassified as a senior next year. That doesn't mean Larsen, who has played sparingly, could not return for a fifth season, but he'll have to earn it.

 

 

 

 

Drexel

This was a new look for Old Dominion: the Monarchs as well-oiled offensive machine.

Saturday's 88-74 win over Delaware in the CAA tourney quarterfinals represented a season-high in points for ODU. It was also a study in consistency. The Monarchs shot 17 of 35, for 47.8 percent, in both halves.

You can get columnist Bob Molinaro's thoughts on the game here. For coach Blaine Taylor's take on playing Drexel today, click here.

What does ODU need to do to get by No.1 Drexel today?

A few keys:

-  Win the rebound battle. ODU leads the CAA in rebound margin. Drexel is second.

- Take advantage of their depth. The Dragons go basically 6 deep. ODU, even without Trian Iliadis, can rotate nine.

- Keep Chris Cooper on the floor. The Monarchs big man is the only player equipped to bang with Drexel's tag team heavyweights - Daryl McCoy and Samme Givens.

- Get more player of the year-type production from Kent Bazemore, averaging 26.2 points over the last five games.

- Make free throws. Hitting 23 of 32 kept ODU around in last week's loss to the Dragons in Norfolk.

- Defend the 3-point line. Drexel made 10 in its win last week.

 

Delaware, Take 2

The Blue Hens nearly got Nwankwo'd this afternoon, holding on for a 72-65 win over Towson, despite 27 points and 20 boards from the Tigers' Robert Nwankwo. His 20-20 day was the first in CAA tourney history, and might be, I'm just guessing, a record for someone on a 1-31 team.

Michael Litos of caahoops.com has what you need to know about that game here.

What's it mean for ODU? The Monarchs are getting the opponent they thought they'd get, but not necessarily the team. Early reports are that the Blue Hens could be without reserve big men Hakim McCullar (concussion-like symptoms) and Kelvin McNeil (knee).

That would leave Delaware down about 480 pounds vs. ODU's physical frontcourt.

The Blue Hens, as ODU fans know, have been more than a handful for the Monarchs of late. They are a spread-and-drive team with perimeter threats (Kyle Anderson, Devon Saddler, Jarvis Threatt) and beef inside (Jamelle Hagins, Josh Brinkley, Mcullar and McNeil). ODU needed overtime to survive the Blue Hens back in January. Last season, the Monarchs took two of three, but were pushed in both their wins.

ODU heads into March with an injury concern of its own. With Trian Iliadis lost for the season, the Monarchs are without their third-leading scorer, and possibly savviest overall player.

“When I think of Trian I think of the minutes played,” coach Blaine Taylor said. “That’s really a complement to his development as a player that he became valuable in so many different ways.

"So many different lineups, so many different strategies and situations, those minutes obviously you’ve got somebody that will shoot a ball or maybe guard somebody....the quality of those minutes in terms of organization on a team and understanding and savvy, that’s what we’re trying to get put together.

"The fact that we had one game is good. The first game was a quick assimilation to the situation. We’ve got a little bit more time to get the cobwebs out of just how that void will be filled. There’s a lot of candidates to carve up the pie if you will.”

ODU enters the tourney in an interesting spot: with championship experience, but No.4 seed expectations. They're hoping that combination will allow them to play loose and confident.

"We’ve won the tournament, which is, something to be said for that. You’d rather do something you’ve done before than the first time," Taylor said. "

“It’s a little more fun being the dark horse in the pack and I think we should embrace that. Right now, the bulls-eye is on Drexel and VCU and some of those guys. We don’t have the bulls-eye on us.”

We'll have coverage of the Monarchs Saturday from Richmond. Meanwhile, you might learn a few things you didn't know about Kent Bazemore in a story running tomorrow. (Hint: which team did he coach Sunday night, in a championship game?).

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @edmillervp

 

 

Revisiting the CAA's locals

Back in October, we brought you the 757 Dozen, a look at the 12 Hampton Roads players on the rosters of CAA teams.

It's a diverse bunch, a bit heavy on point guards and wing players, but with enough front court size to form an entire team. Schools from Boston to Wilmington, N.C. were represented.

Now that the regular season is over, let's take a look at how the locals fared.

Darius Theus, PG, VCU (Portsmouth)

What we said: "Has shown himself to be a capable defender. Needs to become a take-charge point."

What he did: Took charge, alright. Theus has started all 30 games, and averages 8.7 points, 4.7 assists and owns a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. He'll likely appear on the All-CAA second or third team.

Nick Wright, PF, ODU (Suffolk)

What we said: "Needs to grow from 'energy guy' to reliable producer."

What he did: Made strides in that department, starting 25 of 28 games and averaging 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds. Had breakout games of 19 vs. UNCW and 24 vs. Vermont.

Brandon Britt, PG, W&M (Chesapeake)

What we said: "If you were trading in point guard futures, he'd be a good investment."

What he did: Had an uneven season, averaging 9.2 points but shooting just 37.2 percent from the field and committing 67 TOs, vs. 46 assists.

Donte Morales, SF, UNCW (Virginia Beach)

What we said: Will "be in the mix on a deeper and more talented team this year."

What he did: Though slowed by injuries, started 21 of 26 games and was the Seahawks best defender and most vocal leader. Averaged 7.2 points, 3 rebounds.

Dimitri Batten, SG, ODU (Hampton)

What we said: "On a Monarch team that will be shorthanded early, he'll get a chance to earn playing time."

Batten did indeed play early, then saw his minutes drop after Donte Hill and Richard Ross joined the team. A shot of adrenaline off the bench, he's averaged 7.8 points and 2.4 rebounds and is the Monarchs best 3-pointer shooter (40 percent). He'll be counted on to help make up for the loss of senior guard Trian Iliadis, out for the season with a knee injury.  Plays with swagger.

Donte Hill, SG, ODU (Virginia Beach)

What we said; "He'll bring defensive toughness, ballhandling and some needed offensive punch to the wing position."

What he did: Hill has started 19 of 22 games since becoming eligible at the semester break. He's the spear at the top of ODU's 3-2 zone, a rugged defender whose versatility adds to his value. He's averaged 7 points and 3.8 rebounds but needs to shoot a higher percentage to become a more complete player.

Kendrix Brown, SG, W&M (Norfolk)

What we said: "The Tribe is far better defensively when he's on the floor."

What he did: Like Hill, Brown brings toughness and intangibles. The Tribe didn't ask him to score much, and he averaged 4 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Briante Weber, SG, VCU (Chesapeake)

What we said; "Weber seems well-suited for VCU's scrambling style."

What he did: The freshman looked born to play it, leading the Rams in steals in just under 20 minutes per game. He also averaged 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds and could wind up on the conference's all-defensive team.

Enoch Hood, PF, JMU (Norfolk)

What we said: "Matt Brady has Hood penciled in a starter - next year."

What he did: Next year arrived early for Hood. With JMU decimated by injuries, the 190-pound freshman was pressed into duty in the post. Despite giving away 30 or 40 pounds (or more) most nights, he held his own, averaging 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds.

Kelvin McNeil, PF, Delaware (Newport News)

What we said: "A good-sized forward with a nose for the ball and three years in the program."

What he did: With teammate Jamel Hagains blossoming into an All-conference type of player,  McNeil pulled backup duty, averaging 2.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game.

Breon Key, PG, ODU (Hampton)

What we said; "He'll back up Marquel De Lancey."

What he did: Minutes were available for pennies on the dollar early in the season, when ODU was missing so many pieces. Once the Monarchs got whole, Key became a short-minutes backup. With De Lancey, Kent Bazemore and Trian Iliadis able to handle the ball, there simply wasn't enough PT to go around. Key looks like next year's starter, however.

Demetrius Pollard, G, Northeastern (Virginia Beach)

What we said: "Will apprentice behind talented guards Jonathan Lee and Joel Smith.

What he did: Appeared in 15 games, averaged 1.9 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drexel wrap

Talk about a tough cover.

Damion Lee was doing his best to invade Kent Bazemore's personal space. The Drexel freshman was tailing the ODU senior all over the court, in Saturday's 73-72 Dragon win at the Constant Center.

There was only so much he could do, however. In one representative second-half moment, Bazemore simply elevated and drained a 3-pointer over Lee, who was practically in his shirt.

"I just kept telling my team, 'Make him take tough shots', but he was making them tonight," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said.

Bazemore's 37-point performance was "worth the price of admission," coach Blaine Taylor said.

Flint called it "one of the best performances against me as a coach, ever."

Bazemore's 37 was the most by a Monarch since Alex Loughton scored 45 eight seasons ago. It was just one fewer than ODU gave up in a win over Towson. It was more than half of ODU's total.

But as colleague Dave Fairbank of the Daily Press aptly observed,  Bazemore needed 38.

ODU liked its chances had the game headed to overtime. Drexel, seven deep at full strength, was down a player, due to the suspension of Derrick Thomas. Big men Daryl McCoy and Dartaye Ruffin had four fouls each.

McCoy picked up his 4th with 10:20 left. Ruffin picked up No.4 with 8:53 to go. Flint put McCoy back in. What choice did he have?

I was like, ‘Darryl, don’t get your fifth foul'." Flint said. "But he played really smart so therefore we were able to keep him in the game.”

ODU's inability to foul out McCoy hurt. So did the shooting of Lee and Chris Fouch, who had 9 of Drexel's 10 3-pointers.

ODU made just 3 of 18 treys. The Monarchs made up some of that gap at the foul line, making 23 of 32, but it ultimately wasn't enough.

A few other observations from the game:

- The sidebar to every ODU/Drexel game is the battle on the boards. ODU won, 46-34. Don't think Taylor didn't point that out.

- Lee is not a rising CAA star. He's arrived at that level. The 6-6 freshman gave nearly as good as he got, hanging 24 points.

- Taylor was gracious in congratulating Drexel on its outright regular-season title.

"He's been fun to compete against, and I'm actually, on a personal note, happy for Bruiser. He's perservered all these years with some really good teams and got a league title. This business is such a dog-eat-dog world once in a while you step away and kind of say, 'Hey, good for you.'"

-  That doesn't mean, of course, that ODU wouldn't love to end Drexel's CAA season next week in the tournament semifinals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia State

ATLANTA

Couple of quick notes while we await the tip between ODU and Georgia State.

- Give Cal Bowdler an assist. The former ODU great and current radio color man flew down this morning with some important cargo: guard Donte Hill's game shoes. The sophomore from Virginia Beach left without them Tuesday afternoon. Bowdler got a call from director of basketball ops Drew Williamson, asking if he could help. He swung by the basketball office this morning, grabbed the shoes, and delivered them prior to the game.

- Helpful guy that he is, Bowdler also pointed out that GSU's Eric Buckner recently passed him for 6th place on the CAA's single-season blocked shots list. Buckner's got 98 this year. Bowdler had 97 in 1998-99.

- ODU signees Keenan Palmore and Ekene Anachebe are expected to be in attendance. Palmore's from Stone Mountain, Anachebe from Fayetteville. With redshirt Stuart McEwen already with the team, three-fifths of next year's freshmen class will be on hand.

- Friday is the last "Meet the Monarchs" breakfast of the season. It will feature ODU's four seniors. Doors to the Big Blue Room at the Constant Center open at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @edmillervp

 

 

 

Busters

It was created by ESPN, and is now brought to you by Sears, which kind of makes sense, because it sounds like something you might find among the socket wrenches and other Craftsman tools.

Bracket Buster.

It is the one February weekend each year when the 12 members of the Colonial Athletic Association unabashedly root for one another. There's conference pride on the line, and, possibly, just possibly, an NCAA at-large bid.

So because someone's got to do it, let's look at the 12 BracketBusters games involving CAA teams.

Northern Iowa at VCU, Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN2: The Panthers dusted a short-handed ODU team in the season opener. Were they to play again, I'm not sure the outcome wouldn't be different. VCU has handled ODU twice, and the Rams are playing at home and eager to get rid of the bitter taste of Tuesday's loss to George Mason. PICK: VCU 74-67

Drexel at Cleveland State, 11 a.m. Saturday, ESPNU: Norris Cole doesn't play here anymore. Cleveland State has dropped three straight, while Drexel is on a 14-game tear. Dragons win a grinder against a tough defensive squad. PICK: Drexel 58-55

ODU at Missouri State, 5 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU The Monarchs defend and rebound every night. For them, everything comes down to making shots. Mizzou State is not a pressure defensive team but the sort of pack it in and guard Fort Knox bunch you find in the Big Ten. The Monarchs have their backs to the wall, and Blaine Taylor was appealing to Senior Pride at Friday's practice. In the sort of rockfight game they're comfortable in, ODU does just enough. PICK: ODU 58-56.

Lamar at George Mason, 4 p.m. Saturday, ESPN3: Lamar starts four guards and likes to get up and down. George Mason will happily run with the Cardinals., who won't know what to make of Ryan Pearson. Pick: Mason 77-70

The rest:

Stony Brook at Northeastern: Stony Brook has won 14 of 16 but frigid Matthews Arena wins this won for the Huskies. Pick: Northeastern 66-59.

VMI at William and Mary: The over/under for 3-pointers in this game? 54. The return of JohnMark Ludwick's 3-point JohnMarksmanship opens up things for the Tribe, who have more and better guards, and a bit too much offensive versatilty for the runnin' Keydets. Pick: Tribe 83-78.

UNCW at Manhattan: The Jaspers (great name) play in Draddy Gymnasium (greater name). They are the best rebounding team in the MAAC, and at home, too much for the Dubmen. Pick: Manhattan 74-66.

JMU at Detroit: The Dukes are banged up. Clint Eastwood says Detroit is back. Who are we to argue? Pick: Detroit 82-75.

Hampton at Delaware: The Hens are hot - and too big for HU. Pick: Delaware 73-64.

Towson at New Hampshire: I like this better as a football game. Pick: New Hampshire 68-63.

Siena at Hofstra: A hard-luck season continues for the Pride. Pick: Siena 70-66.

UTSA at Georgia State: Panthers defend like the TSA. Pick: Georgia State: 61-56.