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#32 Old Dominion
Monarchs
Colonial Athletic
Association
2004-05: 28-6, 15-3, 1st
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
Alex Loughton
returns to Old Dominion
and he has brought his friends. Four starters return to a squad
that threatened Final Four bound Michigan State in the first
round of the NCAA Tournament. This year Coach Blaine Taylor’s
squad will aim for winning a game or two in the tournament. It
is not unrealistic by any stretch for the Monarchs to be
thinking Sweet Sixteen.
Who’s Out:
Kiah Thomas started 32 of the Monarchs 34 games, averaging 8.3
points per contest as a senior. He was one of the main long
range threats for ODU, yet, like the rest of the squad, wasn’t
consistent from behind the arc. In Thomas’ absence somebody
needs to step up and become a threat from long range, preferably
more consistent than Thomas was. Otherwise the opposition won’t
hesitate to pack it under the basket. Returnees Brandon Johnson,
Brian Henderson and John Morris should all see an increase in
minutes, but none have proven to be solid from three point land.
Who’s In:
Jonathan Adams is the lone incoming
freshman. The 6-6 forward has an amazing leaping ability and the
athleticism to go along with it. Adams averaged 21.3 points and
10.3 rebounds per game at Baylor High School in Tennessee and
was a runner-up for the state of Tennessee “Mr. Basketball”
honors. Abdi Lidonde redshirted last year after seeing a few
minutes in 2003-2004 as a freshman. Janko Mrksic also redshirted
last season. The junior earned two starts two years ago, but
isn’t expected to be a major contributor for the upcoming
campaign.
Who to Watch:
There are tons and tons of options
here. Point guard Drew Williamson averaged 4.5 assists and only
1.1 turnovers per game last year. Brandon Johnson is poised for
a break out year and Isaiah Hunter rounds out a talented
backcourt. Forwards Arnaud Dahi and Valdas Vasylius combined for
nearly 20 points and ten rebounds a game as sophomores. Sam
Harris, a 7-3 center, showed promise during his freshman season,
but still this team is all about reigning CAA Player of the Year
Alex Loughton. The 6-9 Australian averaged a team high 14.1
points and 8.2 boards per game. Loughton has the ability to take
over any game if he has to, but he’ll also do the dirty work for
the sake of the team.
Projected
Conference Rank:
Coach Taylor has a plethora of
options, able to go big or small without any drop off in talent,
depending on the competition. With a deep and versatile bench
and some underrated talent surrounding the returning conference
POY, anything but 1st in the CAA is unacceptable. The
conference may be deep and talented, but ODU is still heads and
shoulders above the rest.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Drew Williamson,
Junior, Guard, 6.2 points per game
Isaiah Hunter, Senior,
Guard, 13.4 points per game
Valdas Vasylius,
Junior, Forward, 9.2 points per game
Arnaud Dahi, Junior,
Forward, 10.4 points per game
Alex Loughton, Senior,
Forward, 14.1 points per game
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