GETTING INSIDE
“Lightning struck twice.”
Those were the words of Blaine Taylor, the Old Dominion coach, after his team stunned No. 11 Georgetown, the second time it had beaten a ranked Georgetown team in three years in the Hoyas’ tiny old gym, McDonough Arena, where they play one game a year.
Taylor had watched film on the bus up to Washington, D.C., and the thought that ran through his mind was, “How in the world do we play that well again?”
The thing is, when you are good, you are good and this is a good Old Dominion team—one that was picked to win the Colonial Athletic Association title and one that followed the upset by dismantling a good Charlotte team that had won seven consecutive games.
Defense is carrying Old Dominion. The Monarchs led the CAA in defense and ranked second nationally when they went against Charlotte, which was averaging 80.1 points a game, and held a stunning 40-13 lead at halftime.
It was defense that carried the load against Georgetown, too, forcing 18 turnovers. If the Monarchs are to win the CAA title, it will be because of that kind of tough defense.
NOTES, QUOTES
• When Old Dominion beat No. 11 Georgetown, it marked its 10th victory over a ranked team since 1976-77.
• Old Dominion is riding its defense, which is the best in the CAA. It has not given up 70 points this season despite a tough schedule and has held two teams to fewer than 40.
January At A Glance: Does January ever have to come? That’s what Old Dominion is thinking after a December in which it beat not only No. 11 Georgetown on the road but buried a good Charlotte team. That is all well and good for national reputation, but now it’s time for league play and opening at George Mason is no picnic. With a good January, however, the Monarchs can put themselves in position to make a run at the NCAA Tournament, even if they fail to win the conference tournament.
Quote To Note: “The glass gets half full, then it gets fuller and fuller.”—Coach Blaine Taylor, after his team followed up its upset of No. 11 Georgetown with a 33-point thrashing of a Charlotte team that had won seven straight games.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Season Recap: The Monarchs have lost four games before getting into the heart of conference play, but they have spent much of their time playing up, and an upset of No. 11 Georgetown looms tall. The losses were to Missouri, Mississippi State, Richmond and Dayton, all decent teams, and not only did Old Dominion enhance its reputation by stunning Georgetown, it mowed down a good Charlotte team.
Player Rotation: Usual Starters—G Darius James, G Marsharee Neely, G Ben Finney, F Gerald Lee, F Frank Hassell. Key reserves—G Kent Bazemore, G Kenyon Carter.
Game Review:
Dayton 58, Old Dominion 50
Old Dominion 61, Georgetown 57
Old Dominion 81, Charlotte 48
Game Preview:
vs. Duquesne, Wednesday, Dec. 30
at George Mason, Saturday, Jan. 2
at Towson, Monday, Jan. 4
vs. James Madison, Wednesday, Jan. 6
vs. Hofstra, Saturday, Jan. 9
In Focus: It’s showdown time right off the bat in the CAA. George Mason, the most successful program in the conference the last few years and almost unbeatable at home, is home against the league’s hottest team and pre-season favorite, Old Dominion. Old Dominion will have to dominate the boards, as it normally does, to keep George Mason in control.
Roster Report:
• Old Dominion is second in the conference in rebounding, first in defensive rebounds and a huge leader in rebounding margin, yet it has only Ben Finney ranked among the top 15 rebounders in the conference.
