THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602040203
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
If form holds, these two will meet once again this season, in March, at the Richmond Coliseum. On the really big stage, at least as big as it gets for the Colonial Athletic Association.
In March, the results of this game will be lost in the swirl of postseason nerves and expectations. And by the pretzel logic that often prevails in postseason play, ODU will come into a next game against VCU feeling emboldened by what took place on a frigid, snowy night in the state's capital.
``The only difference out there tonight,'' said VCU coach Sonny Smith, ``was experience. We've got the more experienced team.''
By March, even experience won't favor VCU as much.
A month ago, ODU was Rammed by 15 points. Saturday, the 6,187 people who came in from the cold were witness to the growth of Jeff Capel's young team.
``We came into their home and played them to a standstill for 40 minutes,'' said ODU point guard Brion Dunlap. ``We felt like we made a big step up from the first game against these guys.''
Closed the gap is what ODU believes it did. In the loss at Scope, ODU was pounded on the boards. Saturday, the Monarchs had eight more rebounds than VCU's widebodies.
``We'll play them again,'' predicted Monarch center Odell Hodge, who finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. ``It'll be hard for them to beat us three in a row.''
It was difficult for VCU to defeat ODU twice in a row, though everyone seems to agree that Smith's team is the CAA's finest.
``We talked this week,'' said Capel, ``about this not being a game that we had to win. But we had to come in and meet the challenge, because there's no question, VCU is the best team in our league.''
ODU cannot remind VCU of this too often. The Rams are the best, the favorite, the team expected to win the conference playoff and pocket the automatic NCAA tournament bid. The team, in other words, with the most to lose.
Portraying VCU as the hunted suits the Monarchs just fine as they work toward March and a third engagement with Smith's team.
``It'll come down to us right here for the championship,'' Hodge said matter-of-factly. ``And tonight, we showed that we've improved in a whole lot of areas.''
Rebounding for one, though the Monarchs gave up far too many inside shots to VCU in the second half.
When the home team led by eight with 4 1/2 minutes to play, the game appeared over. But ODU wouldn't fade away until VCU took control of the overtime period to win 85-76.
Dunlop believes that ODU ``just ran out of gas.'' He's convinced that won't happen next time. If there is a next time against VCU.
``I think we made a statement,'' Capel said. ``We'll remember this game, and take a lot of good things from it.''
ODU hopes VCU also remembers this game.
Old Dominion ``has been playing very well,'' said Smith. ``We've seen it on the films. We knew this was going to be what it turned out to be.''
It turned out to be another conference victory for first-place VCU.
And for ODU?
A dress rehearsal is what it was for the Monarchs. And for a dress rehearsal, it was a great game. by CNB