Karen Barefoot likened it to a boxing match.
Going with the Old Dominion coach’s
analogy, our takeaway from Thursday night’s Duke-Old Dominion showdown is that
the Lady Monarchs can take a pretty mean punch – and can throw a few stiff
ones, too.
analogy, our takeaway from Thursday night’s Duke-Old Dominion showdown is that
the Lady Monarchs can take a pretty mean punch – and can throw a few stiff
ones, too.
The No.
7 Blue Devils brought their early season “A” game – or something pretty close
to it – to Norfolk Thursday night. But they also brought out the highest level
we’ve seen from these Lady Monarchs, who gave as good as they got for long
stretches before bowing 82-66 at the Constant Center.
7 Blue Devils brought their early season “A” game – or something pretty close
to it – to Norfolk Thursday night. But they also brought out the highest level
we’ve seen from these Lady Monarchs, who gave as good as they got for long
stretches before bowing 82-66 at the Constant Center.
Consider
that the No. 7 Blue Devils shots 54.7 percent, were plus-15 in on the boards,
got a monster game from Virginia Beach’s own Elizabeth Williams (22 points, 8
rebounds, 5 blocks) and an even more monstrous effort from point guard and former Thomas Dale High star Ka’lia Johnson
(18 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists).
that the No. 7 Blue Devils shots 54.7 percent, were plus-15 in on the boards,
got a monster game from Virginia Beach’s own Elizabeth Williams (22 points, 8
rebounds, 5 blocks) and an even more monstrous effort from point guard and former Thomas Dale High star Ka’lia Johnson
(18 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists).
In
other words, Duke was Duke.
other words, Duke was Duke.
Now the
Old Dominion team that misfired repeatedly in the season opener against Presbyterian, or the one that struggled to handle the ball (25
turnovers) Monday against William and Mary wouldn’t have been able to stand up
to this.
Old Dominion team that misfired repeatedly in the season opener against Presbyterian, or the one that struggled to handle the ball (25
turnovers) Monday against William and Mary wouldn’t have been able to stand up
to this.
But
Thursday, the Lady Monarchs looked like a group that belonged on the same floor
with one of the elite teams in the country.
Thursday, the Lady Monarchs looked like a group that belonged on the same floor
with one of the elite teams in the country.
The
difference in ODU’s level of performance had Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie
scratching her head.
difference in ODU’s level of performance had Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie
scratching her head.
“I don’t
understand their game against William and Mary because they didn’t play that
well, nothing like they did tonight,” McCallie said. “They have tremendous
potential.”
understand their game against William and Mary because they didn’t play that
well, nothing like they did tonight,” McCallie said. “They have tremendous
potential.”
Now the
goal is to win, so given this program’s history it wouldn’t be very Old Dominion-like
to break out champagne after a 16-point loss. That said, there’s no question
this represented progress.
goal is to win, so given this program’s history it wouldn’t be very Old Dominion-like
to break out champagne after a 16-point loss. That said, there’s no question
this represented progress.
Last
season, for example, too often Old Dominion’s offense could have been titled “Shae
and the Kelley-ettes.” But with Duke’s talent and skill demanding a more
diverse approach – or else – several
Lady Monarchs put their hands on the rope, even if they had to step out of
their comfort zone to get the grip.
season, for example, too often Old Dominion’s offense could have been titled “Shae
and the Kelley-ettes.” But with Duke’s talent and skill demanding a more
diverse approach – or else – several
Lady Monarchs put their hands on the rope, even if they had to step out of
their comfort zone to get the grip.
Forward
Chelisa Painter, who normally operates in the low box, took her game to the
perimeter and burned the Blue Devils with three jumpers, including a 3-pointer
(Didn’t know she had it in her). Yes, Tiffany Minor buries four of her patented
3s. But she also put the ball on the deck a couple of times and attacked the
rim (Knew she had it in her, thrilled to see it on display).
Chelisa Painter, who normally operates in the low box, took her game to the
perimeter and burned the Blue Devils with three jumpers, including a 3-pointer
(Didn’t know she had it in her). Yes, Tiffany Minor buries four of her patented
3s. But she also put the ball on the deck a couple of times and attacked the
rim (Knew she had it in her, thrilled to see it on display).
Another
3-point specialist, LaQuanda Younger, got both of her field goals inside the arc. Yet another
long-distance shooter, newcomer Annika Holopainen, skied (relatively speaking)
for a offensive rebound and got a stickback in traffic. And on and on it went.
3-point specialist, LaQuanda Younger, got both of her field goals inside the arc. Yet another
long-distance shooter, newcomer Annika Holopainen, skied (relatively speaking)
for a offensive rebound and got a stickback in traffic. And on and on it went.
“I like them. I think they’re
better than last year,” McCallie said. “I think they have more players who can
score.”
better than last year,” McCallie said. “I think they have more players who can
score.”
Of
course, Duke has players who can score, too. A lot. Old Dominion’s defense was
rock-solid against Presbyterian and William and Mary, and the defensive effort
was there Thursday, too. But against the lethal-at-all-five-positions Blue
Devils, effort wasn’t quite enough.
course, Duke has players who can score, too. A lot. Old Dominion’s defense was
rock-solid against Presbyterian and William and Mary, and the defensive effort
was there Thursday, too. But against the lethal-at-all-five-positions Blue
Devils, effort wasn’t quite enough.
The
homegirl Williams dominated the proceedings like a female Tim Duncan – flash-free
but brutally efficient (no jumpers off glass, though). As for Johnson, well, a
year ago at this time Duke’s point guard slot was manned by All-American
Chelsea Gray and All-American-in-waiting Alexis Jones. Both are no longer in
Durham, but after watching Johnson stuff last night’s stat sheet, let’s just say
the position remains in extremely capable hands.
homegirl Williams dominated the proceedings like a female Tim Duncan – flash-free
but brutally efficient (no jumpers off glass, though). As for Johnson, well, a
year ago at this time Duke’s point guard slot was manned by All-American
Chelsea Gray and All-American-in-waiting Alexis Jones. Both are no longer in
Durham, but after watching Johnson stuff last night’s stat sheet, let’s just say
the position remains in extremely capable hands.
That
Old Dominion was able to hang around against this onslaught – the Lady Monarchs
were within five at halftime and as close as 10 late in the second half – provided
an encouraging glimpse of this team’s upside.
Old Dominion was able to hang around against this onslaught – the Lady Monarchs
were within five at halftime and as close as 10 late in the second half – provided
an encouraging glimpse of this team’s upside.
But
just as we were careful not to read too much into ODU’s less-than-overwhelming
efforts in its first two games, we shouldn’t automatically assume performances
like Thursday’s are what we’re guaranteed to get from the Lady Monarchs every
night from here on out, either.
just as we were careful not to read too much into ODU’s less-than-overwhelming
efforts in its first two games, we shouldn’t automatically assume performances
like Thursday’s are what we’re guaranteed to get from the Lady Monarchs every
night from here on out, either.
A year
ago, when Old Dominion visited Duke, the post-game talk from Camp Lady Monarchs
was about how well the team played in a 24-point defeat. That sounded good
until six days later, ODU opened Conference USA play with a 21-point loss at
Tulane. Three days after that, the Lady Monarchs lost by 30 at home to Tulane.
ago, when Old Dominion visited Duke, the post-game talk from Camp Lady Monarchs
was about how well the team played in a 24-point defeat. That sounded good
until six days later, ODU opened Conference USA play with a 21-point loss at
Tulane. Three days after that, the Lady Monarchs lost by 30 at home to Tulane.
Last
year’s Duke game turned out to be an outlier. Will this one be more of a sign
of things to come?
year’s Duke game turned out to be an outlier. Will this one be more of a sign
of things to come?
The relentlessly optimistic Barefoot certainly believes so. She insisted that Thursday’s
performance against Duke was much more competitive (we agree), and that this is
simply a better team than the 2013-14 edition.
performance against Duke was much more competitive (we agree), and that this is
simply a better team than the 2013-14 edition.
The Lady Monarchs certainly appear
to have the pieces to eventually prove their coach right. But for now, ODU fans
should keep in mind that we’re still only three games into a season with a
group that’s still learning to play together. So far
it’s pretty clear this team will always play hard. Playing hard and
effectively, every time out, may remain a work in progress.
to have the pieces to eventually prove their coach right. But for now, ODU fans
should keep in mind that we’re still only three games into a season with a
group that’s still learning to play together. So far
it’s pretty clear this team will always play hard. Playing hard and
effectively, every time out, may remain a work in progress.
But at least we’ve seen what this group is capable of. And if (when?) the Lady Monarchs get to the point where they can consistently produce performances like the one we saw Thursday, watch out.
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I usually hesitate to conclude after 2-3 games. I also don't know what to think of this ODU team after playing Duke they way they did, especially after such a poor performance against William and Mary. If they really are that good and the W+M game was just an off day, then they are truly making steps forward. If they continue to be wildly inconsistent, then that is the markings of a pretty poor team, I remember last year when a 0-2 UMass team upset an Also Recieving Votes Rutgers team, UMass then proceeded to a 3-28 season.
To be fair, some of the credit/blame for ODU''s performance against William and Mary belongs with a Tribe team that competed exceptionally hard and well. Kinda like ODU did against Duke.