+3
Two longtime rivals take the court in the CAA Championship game, as No. 4 seed Virginia Commonwealth looks to follow its upset win over top-seeded George Mason with a victory over No. 2 seed Old Dominion.
The Old Dominion Monarchs hold a 39-26 lead over the VCU Rams at halftime of the 2011 CAA championship game. They’re dominating on offense and defense, completely owning the glass, and have a mascot not afraid to make a difference out there.
ODU is as good as in the NCAA Tournament whether they’re able to hang on in the second half or not, but Commonwealth is playing like it’s already assured of a bid of its own. Getting out-rebounded 18 to four is going to make at least one selection committee member think that George Mason upset might’ve been a fluke, if the rest of this game doesn’t come around.
Frank Hassell leads all scorers with 14 points and all rebounders with five, while Kent Bazemore has contributed six assists. Seriously, ODU has more players with multiple rebounds than Virginia Commonwealth has rebounds. Wrap your mind around that.
For more on the CAA, visit Mid Major Madness, SB Nation DC, and SB Nation Atlanta.
The Colonial Athletic Association is feelin’ itself heading into the CAA tournament championship game, with the conference reportedly having a chance at three NCAA Tournament bids even if Virginia Commonwealth loses. Two big local rivals and a hyped Siegel Center meant the perfect chance for the up-and-coming conference to showcase its … oh, Old Dominion mascot.
ODU’s smiling lion friend threw powder in the air a la LeBron James, which caused a big, watery mess below one of the baskets. Apparently powder in the air plus a vigorous fog machine don’t mix. CAA theatrics, y’all.
The delay took up five minutes at about the 18-minute mark, with staff working the towels at every stoppage of play since. ESPN reports there’s still a slippery “film” on the floor.
The good news: as long as nobody gets hurt, the quality of mid-major hoops on display will more than make up for it. VCU has taken a 10-9 lead about five minutes in, by the way.
The Colonial Athletic Association Tournament final pits two long-time rivals against each other, with a possible third bid for the league on the line. No. 4 seed Virginia Commonwealth, fresh off its upset victory of No. 1 seed and prohibitive favorite George Mason, takes on No. 2 seed Old Dominion in the CAA Tournament final at the Siegel Center in Richmond on Monday night. The game will take place at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Virginia Commonwealth emerged as the CAA Tournament bracket busters on Sunday when they snapped George Mason's 16-game winning streak with a 79-63 win in the semifinals. It's pretty much a certainty that the CAA will get at least two bids in the NCAA Tournament because George Mason (26-6 overall, No. 23 RPI) has done enough to earn an at-large bid. But if VCU is able to win on Monday, the CAA has a legitimate shot at three bids. Old Dominion is also 26-6 with an RPI of 27, and it would be very difficult to leave them out if they do not win the championship game tonight.
Old Dominion has to be considered the prohibitive favorites in this one. Led by stifling defenders Kent Bazemore (the CAA Defensive Player of the Year) and Frank Hassell, the Monarchs have won eight games in a row, including wins over No. 7-seed Delaware and No. 3-seed Hofstra in this tournament. But Virginia Commonwealth is playing on its home court and can never be counted out. The Rams lost four of their last five regular-season games, but rebounded by edging dangerous No. 5 seed Drexel in the quarterfinals before topping George Mason.
The two teams have split their two games this season, with each winning on the other's home floor. VCU won 59-50 at Old Dominion on January 22, during the middle of a nine-game winning streak, while the Monarchs avenged that defeat with a 70-59 win in Richmond on February 12.
CAA Championship 2011, VCU Vs. Old Dominion Final Score: Monarchs Are Going Dancing
Despite an amazing rally from 18 down, VCU fell short in the 2011 CAA Tournament title game, and Old Dominion basketball is going to the NCAA tourney. Frank Hassell turned in 22 points and nine rebounds, and Kent Bazemore added 14 points and six assists as ODU held on to win, 70-65.
Early in the second half, VCU’s crowd advantage took hold as the Rams drive-and-kick offense began figuring out ODU’s zone defense. It didn’t help matters for Old Dominion that the physical Monarchs offense started flubbing the ball out of bounds and failing to grab rebounds like it had in the first half.
VCU’s Ed Nixon pitched in five points, three boards, three assists, and three steals despite suffering an injury to his mouth requiring stitches. Bradford Burgess led the Rams with 19 points and eight rebounds.
For more on the CAA, visit Mid Major Madness, SB Nation DC, and SB Nation Atlanta.
Mar 07 9:26p by Jason Kirk - 0 comments