Bob Molinaro

When it comes to the brackets, don't put up your Dukes

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:03:19 -0400

Duke can't win the NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils aren't quick enough. They aren't potent enough under the basket. Their resume, though impressive to the eye, is a little suspect because of the ACC's lack of depth this season. In fact, as I look over my bracket sheet, I like Louisville to knock off Mike Krzyzewski's No. 1 seed in the second round. You read it here first.

Hoop themes: Molinaro on the NCAA tourney

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:16:10 -0400

Safety valve: As teams like Virginia Tech and Illinois fell by the wayside Sunday, Old Dominion's victory in the CAA tournament final began to look even bigger. The way things played out, the 11th-seeded Monarchs might not have rated an at-large selection despite winning the regular-season title.

It's going to be TV Madness if Tiger returns during hoops

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:28:14 -0500

Mismatch: The definition of March Madness changes the moment Tiger Woods returns to golf. If Woods goes head-to-head on TV against college basketball, the tournament will take a hit. Vision quest: Watching the ACC tournament, I can't keep from focusing on the empty seats. Sooo many.

In the 757, recruits better get used to London calling

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:55:12 -0500

NORFOLK The Mike London charm offensive made its way to the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday. The new Virginia football coach was downtown to speak at the annual Norfolk Sports Club Jamboree luncheon. "We haven't been as visible, available and accessible as a state school should be," he said a few minutes before taking the dais to deliver his remarks.

Now Monarchs have a fast break to slow down, savor victory

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:46:36 -0500

RICHMOND More than 30 minutes after winning the CAA tournament title game, Old Dominion's players and coaches were still on the court, in no hurry to let go of the moment. Basketball is a game of quickness, but the best thing a team can do sometimes is slow down.

Down and close to being out vs. tenacious rival, Monarchs roar

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:19:43 -0500

RICHMOND After Old Dominion moved through to the CAA tournament finals Sunday, someone representing the media asked Blaine Taylor if beating VCU on this occasion constituted a "signature victory" for the program. Taylor answered politely, if unremarkably. What could he say, really? He could have scoffed and said that ODU, as the No. 1 seed, is the team to beat in this event.

ODU has rest on its side, but VCU stands in its way - again

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:21:55 -0500

RICHMOND Let the paranoia begin. Virginia Commonwealth is standing in the way of Old Dominion reaching the CAA tournament final. Again. VCU is a roadblock that could keep the Monarchs from the NCAA tournament. It always seems to come down to beating VCU. Or not beating VCU. Usually not.

Does anybody expect Tiger's caddie to dish dirt ?

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:24:54 -0500

Puh-leeze: So Steve Williams, who was on the road for years with Tiger Woods, never guessed his boss was playing around off the golf course. Anybody buying this? Or, for that matter, Williams' contention that had he known "the whistle would have been blown"?

With gold medal hockey game over, so is our interest in sport

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:32:12 -0500

The TV ratings are in, and they prove that Americans love a good game of ice hockey. When an Olympic gold medal is on the line for the United States. When NBC has had two weeks to stir emotions. When patriotic feelings attract average Americans to sports they visit once every four years.

Women's hoops in constant battle to pique interest

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:15:33 -0500

At halftime of Saturday's Old Dominion-Virginia Commonwealth men's basketball game, Wendy Larry's image loomed over the crowd, a friendly face making an earnest request. From the video screen at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, she invited one and all to attend the first- and second-round games of the NCAA women's tournament coming to ODU on March 21 and 23.