Sunday, November 14, 2010

ODU, William and Mary open seasons

Sunday's games

William and Mary (0-0) at Wisconsin (1-0), 1 p.m.

William and Mary projected starters
G-Taysha Pye
G-Lindsey Moller
G-Katherine DeHenzel
F-Emily Correal
C-Jaclyn McKenna
Captains - Pye, DeHenzel, Moller

Tough opener for the Tribe. Not only are they opening against a 2009-10 NCAA qualifer on the road, but also against a team that already worked out its kinks in an opening game as the Badgers rolled over St. Louis 60-32 Friday. Furthermore, as you can tell by that score the Badgers pride themselves on defense, and Tribe teams traditionally are prone to scoring droughts. We believe William and Mary can play enough defense to hang around for a while. We're just not sure the Tribe will score enough points.  Wisconsin 65, William and Mary 52

Richmond (1-0) at East Tennessee State (1-0), 1:30 p.m.
The Lady Bucs lost a lot of offensive firepower off their NCAA tournament team of a year ago, so the fact that they scored 77 points in a 16-point win over Chattanooga was an eye-opener. Richmond will rely on its defense, and the addition of freshman pogo-stick Genevieve Okoro helps address last year's rebounding concerns. But ETSU is no joke. Star guard Tara Davis can get hers against just about anyone and freshman Destiny Mitchell (16 points, 12 rebounds in the opener) has already proven to be a tough cover. We're certainly not writing Richmond off. But we'd be somewhat surprised - and very impressed - if the Spiders leave Johnson City, Tenn. with a W.  ETSU 65, Richmond 60

Wofford (0-1) at Virginia Tech (1-0), 2 p.m.

The Terriers shot just 22 percent and coughed up 30 turnovers in a 62-47 loss to a very good Gardner-Webb team on Friday. So if the Hokies unleash the same defensive fury they displayed over the final eight minutes of Friday night's 59-52 victory over Presbyterian, they should be able to run these guys right out of Cassell Coliseum. Of course, we thought they'd do that to the Blue Hose. But opening-night jitters are over. It's time for a much cleaner, more focused effort. Virginia Tech 75, Wofford 60

Georgia Tech (1-0) at Old Dominion (0-0), 2 p.m.

ODU projected starters

G-Jasmine Parker
G-Jackie Cook
G-Shadasia Green
F-Russia Voronina
F/C-Tia Lewis

The Yellow Jackets return four starters from last year's 23-win NCAA Tournament team and have added a super freshman in Tyuanna Marshall, who debuted with 18 points in Friday's 66-56 victory over Georgia State. Don't be fooled by that final score - Tech led by 24 with just over five minutes remaining. It all adds up to a considerable challenge for an ODU roster weakened by injuries to Kquanise Byrd and Mairi Buchan. The home court will help, but the real equalizer could be ODU's apparent embrace of the 3-point shot. Parker and Cook combined for 31 3-point attempts in the two exhibition games, and Jo Guilford will also let some bombs fly. If enough of those shots fall, the crowd will get hyped and there could be some magic at the Constant Center. And if they don't? Well, just playing the game will help ODU in the RPI. Georgia Tech 68, ODU 59

Mount St. Mary’s at Virginia (1-0), 2 p.m.
Still awaiting word on the condition of Cavaliers point guard China Crosby, who left Friday's 82-66 victory over Hofstra after re-injuring her surgically repaired left knee. It was otherwise an encouraging debut for the Cavaliers, who as advertised got positive contributions from several players. We expect the good vibes to continue today, and they had better because the schedule (at Tennessee on Thursday) is about to get a whole lot tougher. Virginia 72, Mount St. Mary's 52

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