ODAC Tournaments Begin

This is the time of year when sports lovers salivate uncontrollably - a time when months of hard work and desire are laid on the line for one common goal, as Division III basketball begins conference tournament play.

Both the men's and women's basketball teams have qualified for this years Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament. The men's team tied for seventh in the ODAC with a record of 6-12 in conference play and will face the number-one-seeded Virginia Wesleyan Marlins. After a tough season of several close game disappointments the Royals head into Saturday's game with a 0-2 record against the Marlins. In their first match-up at Yoder Arena the Royals had a commanding 16-point lead early in the second half, but lost a heartbreaker in double overtime. The second encounter ended in a 33-point victory for the Marlins. Although the Royals have not beaten Virginia Wesleyan this season, head coach Kirby Dean feels his team is up to the task.

Dean said, "I think that physically we match-up with them better than anyone else in the conference. You play all year to make the tournament and we accomplished that goal. Now is the time when records are thrown out the window and everyone is 0-0, and I feel like this would be a great opportunity to win."

The 2005-2006 season marks Dean's third year as the head of EMU Men's Basketball, and his second consecutive trip to the ODAC Tournament. The men's action will tip-off this Saturday at the Salem Civic Center in Roanoke at 1 p.m.

The women's team was picked seventh in this year's preseason poll, and will most likely enter the tournament as a fourth or fifth seed. The Lady Royals are currently 14-9 with two conference games remaining. Last year the women lost to Emory & Henry in the first round of play, but seemed poised to make a run during this year's tournament.

First-year coach Kevin Griffin said, "If our girls will play hard, play smart, and play together we'll have an opportunity to do something special. We've got to really defend, and knock down some shots. If we do those things then I think we have a great chance." The 2005-2006 season will mark the Lady Royals' fifth consecutive trip to the ODAC Tournament. The start of the women's action will be Feb. 23 at the Salem Civic Center in Roanoke, Va.