The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

The 6-1 Lady Monarchs are headed to the World Vision Classic in Las Vegas, NV on December 19th. Their first game in sin city is against UNLV. The Lady Rebels are currently 3-6 with wins over UC Santa Barbara, Ohio, and Binghamton. If the Lady Monarchs manage to pull out the win, they face the winner of Kansas State vs. Texas A&M.

Certainly a winnable game for the Lady Monarchs. Barefoot's squad gets another chance to face off against upper-tier competition.

What will be new in this game is that the transfer from Miami, Stephanie Gardner, will be eligible for UNLV, which will just add to the guard depth.

Michelle Brandao, Portuguese player we have, will be eligible soon after.

By year end, we may see some considerable improvements on the offensive end.

Gardner who played during the Summer Pro/Am, exciting player who won the MVP. She's a high motor player and is not afraid to drive to the rim. Should be fun.

(12-09-2012 11:14 AM)monarchman Wrote:  What will be new in this game is that the transfer from Miami, Stephanie Gardner, will be eligible for UNLV, which will just add to the guard depth.

Michelle Brandao, from Portuguese player we have, will be eligible soon after.

By year end, we may see some considerable improvements on the offensive end.

I think Michelle's first game will be Jan 2, 2013. She was ruled I eligible for 44 games so when I counted last years games and this year that is what I came up with.

I am absolutely the first to admit I was DEAD WRONG about firing Wendy Larry and hiring a younger eager coach who is ready to come in and rebuild a decaying, once great program from scratch. I actually watched my first ODU women's game since the last loss they had in the NCAA tourney under Wendy when they were on tv against #10 Cal and I have to say, her enthusiasm, fire, tenacity and willingness to FORCE her team to play better and up to her high expectations were all absolutely amazing to see.

I'd actually seriously consider hiring her to coach the freaking men's team if I thought she would be able to recruit some highly ranked players, but regardless, I came away VERY impressed and absolutely convinced of what new blood can do for a program with a lot to offer and a history of success like ODU has.

Now if only we can get people to see the same is possible for the men's team, we will absolutely be headed in the right direction. I honestly questioned Wood's merit for the job after that hire and the
Anders firing/rehiring but right not, I am VERY SORRY I ever did as he is clearly the right man for our athletic dept. He has a vision for ODU and seems like he will do whatever it takes to accomplish it which I absolutely love.

I will keep believing that he will be smart enough to see what happened on the women's side and realize the same will/could be true on the men's side and will make the tough but correct call to bring in new blood for the men to rally around.

I swear, Karen Barefoot didn't actually step on the court but her leadership and coaching ability alone kept a team that was severely lacking in talent, size and depth close to one of the 10 best teams in the country for nearly the entire game. They had a belief in themselves and that they could get it done despite what the gulf in talent, which was clear and abundant. VERY impressed with Coach Barefoot and the job she has done. I may even come out to see her coach and watch the lady monarchs in person which I haven't done in a very very long time. I'm THAT excited about her coaching ability and attitude towards winning.

check out her recent coach's show. She oozes energy and enthusiasm. It's almost contagious when you hear her talk. She tells the kids they are the best team in the country and they literally believe it. I'm glad you finally saw the light razor. haha. I thought she was a great candidate and after Wendy's contract dispute came up I was hoping she would get pulled back from Elon. I'm glad Selig went with her and I hope she can at least make the NIT this year. hopefully, after this weekend she'll have some wins in her resume for an NCAA invite.

I think the Lady Monarchs are shaping up to be a solid NIT team this year at the very least. If they can get past UNLV and play up to either Kansas State (currently undefeated) or Texas A&M (3 losses, all to teams ranked in the top 10) then I think they could make it into the NCAA tournament. It's amazing what Coach Barefoot has done with this young team in such a short span. She was the spark that this team needed after all.

Should be a good game tonight against UNLV. Starts at 8:30pm ET. Mercurio is covering it on 94.1 ESPN radio and live audio is available on odusports.com.

They look intense on defense.

Sounds like an impressive first half from odu!

Coach barefoot continues to surprise and impress.

The turnaround she has made in just 1 year is incredible, she really should be a candidate for national coach of the year considering how BAD we were last year. Unbelievable job to get the players to buy completely in.

Guess what, it's not just the players. I am completely sold on coach barefoot. Her enthusiasm and passion is as high as any coach in any sport I've ever personally witnessed. I'm honestly trying to rack my brain to think of a coach with more passion and spirit for her sport and players and I'm really having trouble trying to think of someone who can match that intensity.

Bobby wilder maybe? Ha

Right on Razor!

(12-19-2012 09:35 PM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote:  Sounds like an impressive first half from odu!

Coach barefoot continues to surprise and impress.

The turnaround she has made in just 1 year is incredible, she really should be a candidate for national coach of the year considering how BAD we were last year. Unbelievable job to get the players to buy completely in.

Guess what, it's not just the players. I am completely sold on coach barefoot. Her enthusiasm and passion is as high as any coach in any sport I've ever personally witnessed. I'm honestly trying to rack my brain to think of a coach with more passion and spirit for her sport and players and I'm really having trouble trying to think of someone who can match that intensity.

Bobby wilder maybe? Ha

(12-19-2012 09:37 PM)Big Bluezilla Wrote:  Right on Razor!

(12-19-2012 09:35 PM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote:  Sounds like an impressive first half from odu!

Coach barefoot continues to surprise and impress.

The turnaround she has made in just 1 year is incredible, she really should be a candidate for national coach of the year considering how BAD we were last year. Unbelievable job to get the players to buy completely in.

Guess what, it's not just the players. I am completely sold on coach barefoot. Her enthusiasm and passion is as high as any coach in any sport I've ever personally witnessed. I'm honestly trying to rack my brain to think of a coach with more passion and spirit for her sport and players and I'm really having trouble trying to think of someone who can match that intensity.

Bobby wilder maybe? Ha

The place is empty... I guess its 5:30 out there the week before Christmas, but it looks like there are 500 people there.

Live feed:

http://www.basketballtravelers.com/colle...l-classic/

Interesting look back in time:

http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php...-new-coach