Any Seahawks fans coming to Norfolk?

This ODU team has severely improved in the past two years with the addition of a deeper bench and much better coaching. If you want to start some banter about the game then head over to the ODU forum: http://csnbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=688

Good luck but.... Go Monarchs!!

Yep, it's coming up. Going to be interesting to check out the pace of play. UNCW will attempt to play at a much faster pace with Keatts, even without big depth. The Hawks didn't defend well in the first half of their exhibition win the other night and that kind of performance would hurt them on the road in Norfolk. The Hawks are depending on 2 freshmen guards to play significant minutes as well to augment Ponder (solid CAA PG/combo). Both freshmen are quick and have some talent, but this is their first real game-hard to expect too much plus the combo freshman will be giving up size. UNCW also will need to knock down some 3 balls and that is definitely not a strength for this team on paper or the other night. UNCW does have a very good frontcourt that matches up well with nearly all teams that they will play and have a good wing or 2.

Last year, ODU won a very ugly game in Wilmington that was played at a very slow pace, it was boring. Not sure that a fast pace guarantees success for the Hawks either unless they can get some TO's. If it stays close, they are in better condition this year to make it a game towards the end, if it's close. My guess is that ODU will be favored by 9 or so. And, I can see why ODU fans would be confident that they will win.

UNCW will be a program on the rise in the future, no doubt, but many here would like that to change before next year's tremendous influx in talent arrives. The reality however is that their defense will have to improve markedly from the other night to be competitive against good competition. And, that may be something that occurs further down the road. It's going to be a process.

UNCW's key to victory will be to stop the penetration of ODU's guards. Teams that can do that are successful against us. Not a lot of offense in ODU frontcourt, though Richard Ross seems to add more to his game each time out. We'll see what newcomer Arledge has. Didn't show much in the exhibition game.

Hope we see a pressing defense, get us ready for some other games like VCU. Plus we'll get a lot more plays at the rim with Ross and co. We're looking to move the ball up the floor a little more this year. The Mt Olive team was very good at putting pressure on the ball, very scrappy team. The press didn't cause many turnovers, but did cause us to use the shot clock.

To UNCW, it's great seeing you guys getting excited about hoops again. Your coach will be a great recruiter and hopefully a good floor coach. Talked to him at the Booplex last Spring, nice guy and very well respected within the AAU circuit.

Good game to all. It's fun kicking off the season against a former conference mate.

We will likely start 3 seniors and 2 red shirt Jr.s.

We have a pretty athletic set of guards in Ponder, Jackson and Spruill who are 6'1" 185lb, 6'5" 185lb and 6'4" 225lb. Jackson will create the most havoc at the front of the press, and he can finish on the break. Spruill is a load at the 3.

Dylan Sherwood at the 4 is one of our best shooters, and at 6'9" he can pull big men outside, allowing preseason 2nd. All CAA player Cedrick Williams some one on one chances to score.

Off the bench, 7'0" 250 lb. CJ Gettys is fairly nimble for a big man. He shed about 30 lbs over the summer, and is able to score around the basket. He played very well against the Tarheels last December.

We have a pair of Freshman guards who will see quite a bit of action. Malik Pugh is small but extremely quick at 6'1" and 165 lbs. He put up 20 points on 7-10 shooting in our exhibition against Catawba.

Jordan Talley is a good on the ball defender and god ball handler.

We WILL press throughout the game, but not to the extent of a VCU. Mostly on made baskets and free throws. But we will pick up the ball full court, and try to make it tough to get into sets. We then drop into a matchup zone.

It's really hard to predict how we will do at this point. The team has only faced two opponents with a new coach and a new system. Last year we looked best when we pressed and the game got a bit out of control. The Keatts system fits these guys well, but it may take a bit of time for them to really perfect this system.

I can't imagine we will be worse than last year, and should at least give you guys a good game.