WBB Games 9-11: The Inaugural Anne Donovan Classic
The Inaugural Anne Donovan Classic. Four teams, six games, three days. Will the Monarchs wear there special "throw back" jerseys in honor of Donovan for the entire series? Coach Nikki has been selling this one to the fans. My only question is...why is the first game scheduled at 5:00 for Thursday and Friday? Scheduling ODU to go first at 5 makes some sense in that fact that you will have your biggest crowd in the opener and you hope that they stay for the night game. It probably makes managing the game a little easier for the people who work in the building. But for people who work, it will offer a challenge in getting to the game. Especially if they have to pick up family members before the game starts. It's an odd time that may not be great for everyone. I am glad however that we are doing something to honor Anne's legacy with ODU.
The day Anne signed with ODU was one of the defining moments of this program's history. Everything she did was an impact for future generations to follow. For players and fans a like.
Game one will be the Spiders of Richmond. The last time we meet was in Nikki's first year as head coach. We lost 45-54 at home. This year the Spiders have a new headcoach in Aaron Roussell. Roussell comes from the Patriot League where he coached Bucknell Bisons to a 102-30 record, including 64-8 in the conference. He takes over a team with 3 freshman, so lots of experience. And they won 9 games last year, this year they have already won six. Roussell can coach and he is going to be scary when he gets all the players he wants.
Richmond's schedule so far. They are 6-4 with an RPI of 48 and SOS of 34
@ UNC Greensbroro W 70-62 Record: 5-5 RPI: 181
@ Charlotte L 59-78 Record: 7-2 RPI: 44
@ Georgetown W 51-49 Record: 2-8 RPI: 242
Vs Florida Atlantic W 57-55 Record: 6-3 RPI: 131
Vs W&M W 76-73 Record: 7-2 RPI: 160
@ Drexel L 52-58 Record: 6-4 RPI: 62
@ Coastal Carolina W 79-67 Record: 6-1 RPI: 157
Vs Bradley L 57-61 Record: 7-1 RPI: 51
@ MDES W 64-52 Record: 2-7 RPI: 243
Vs Furman L 69-70 Record: 5-4 RPI: 107
@ ODU Record: 7-2 RPI: 67
With the exception of the Charlotte game, all of Richmond's loses have been decided by 1, 4, and 6 points. Proving that his teams are in it to the end.
Spiders Starting Five
24 Klimkiewicz, Kate G 6'0" So 11.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg, 45.8 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 76.7 FT%, 30.7 mpg
01 Hinds-Clarke, Jaide F 6'1" Sr 11.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.4 spg, 40.9 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 24.9 mpg
12 Holt, Claire G 5'7" So 6.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 42.9 FG%, 38.2 3P% 76.5 FT%, 21.2 mpg
13 Parson, Alex G 5'6" Jr 7.6 ppg, 2,4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 35.2 FG%, 34.5 3P%, 69.6 FT%, 27.8 mpg
15 Squires, Emma F 6'2" So 9.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 45.8 FG%, 37.0 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 23.7 mpg
Top Bench
31 Elaina Chapman F 6'3" Fr 5.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.5 apg, 41.3 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 750 FT%, 18.0 mpg
33 Amy Duggan G 6'0" Sr 2.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.6 apg, 41.2 FG%, 0.00 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 10.6 mpg
This entire team can shoot the three ball. However some shoot it more often than not. For example, #12 Clair Holt shoots it beyond the arc 75% of the time, leading scorer 24 Kate Klimkiewicz, over half her shots are from beyond the arc. As a team they are good at shooting free throws (72.1 %). They still have some ball control issues and they are more of an offensive minded team than a defensive one. Fun to watch though.
Inside the Numbers.
.............Richmond......ODU
PPG........63.4.............62.4
OPPG....62.5..............54.4
FG%.......40.7.............37.4
OFG%....41.9.............37.3
3P%.........31.5............30.8
O3P%......30.3............26.1
3PMPG....6.9..............4.4
FT%.........72.1............60.6
FTMPG....11.1............11.1
RPG...........35.5...........40.4
ORPG........33.2...........36.7
APG...........14.0...........10.7
TPG............17.7...........14.4
SPG............8.7.............9.4
BPG...........2.2.............4.6
Ast/TO radio:
Richmond: 0.8, ODU: 0.7
This will be a good team to play after ODU's hiccup against VCU. We have to start off start with a confidence booster If not for themselves, then do it for Anne. Also the men's basketball team is playing Richmond tonight and it would nice to get a sweep on our home floor. (you can tell at the time of this writing, game is still on...)
Also. Somebody asked me if ODU has ever hosted a tournament during the regular season? During the playoffs, of course. But I don't know if any tournament has been held here or if this is truly a first.
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