tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199845350252743558.post2655620568758288289..comments2023-05-20T10:21:25.741-04:00Comments on ladyswish: Wednesday dribbleladyswishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03649376330283711600noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199845350252743558.post-67154014740914635682009-12-24T09:28:53.222-05:002009-12-24T09:28:53.222-05:00Finally the CAA gets to experience life as a norma...Finally the CAA gets to experience life as a normal conference, where 4 or 5 teams go in with realistic dreams of winning it all. For a remarkable number of years, it was ODU and everyone else. <br />We're going to take an expansive look at the impending CAA race next week. But here are a few initial thoughts:<br />- JMU deserves the favorite's role, but when the Dukes get into league play against teams familiar with their style, we expect they'll have their share of challenges.<br />- Delle Donne is the real deal, but we still want to see what Delaware looks like against quality foes;<br />- Weak schedules have also inflated the win totals of Mason and Georgia State. But that's not a criticism, especially with Mason. If I was coming off a 4-win season, I schedule conservatively, too.<br />- You're right about Drexel struggling early; they started 4-6 last year and 1-6 the year before that. We're still expecting them to turn it on;<br />- William and Mary beats itself too much with turnovers and missed free throws/layups<br />- Finally, ODU is definitely a work in progress. We wouldn't be surprised if come February, a couple of guards have stepped up and the Lady Monarchs bare some real teeth. But based on what we've seen so far, we also wouldn't be surprised if ODU's non-conference struggles bleed into their early CAA slate, especially when the Lady Monarchs have to go on the road.<br />Happy holidays!ladyswishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649376330283711600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199845350252743558.post-1152991057646891232009-12-23T22:13:44.239-05:002009-12-23T22:13:44.239-05:00ODU's loss at St. Joe's had to be the toug...ODU's loss at St. Joe's had to be the toughest for the Monarchs thus far. After all the Hawks were just 3-7 going in ...<br /><br />Is it just because ODU is such a question mark that the CAA looks more wide open than maybe ever before? How do you see the league now that conference play is a little over a week away?<br /><br />Madison is obviously strong, but how good will Delaware be with Delle Donne? Drexel is just 5-4, but the Dragons are up and down every year before January. Can VCU contend with this group? ... and just where does ODU fit in the mix? Was Towson's win over Maryland a fluke? Is Georgia State as good as their 7-2 record (with 2 close losses to nationally ranked teams) might indicate. Is GMU as good as their record, or W&M as bad as they've looked? When has non-conference play told us so little about what to expect in the CAA during Jan. and Feb? It's gonna be interesting!SpinTurnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13991959340386382097noreply@blogger.com