STF Conference Reports: Hanging 'Round the Association

Well, it had to happen. Your Delaware Blue Hens became everyone's ink-drier-outer and lost twice this week in key roadies at VCU and at Northeastern. What's more, South Carolina's Dave Odom announced he will retire at season's end. That kicked off the official interrogation period of VCUs Anthony Grant.

This week's hero is George Mason's Dre Smith, who canned a record-setting 10 triples against James Madison. This, of course, means Smith will make three of his next 15 three-point attempts. Don't fight it; it's the way of the world.

TEAM OF THE WEEK
William & Mary: That's right, I said it. Two more victories for Tony Shaver's bunch brings them to 5-2 and right in the thick of things. That's five in a row for the politically incorrect but really intelligent bunch, the first time that's happened since Clinton was in office. The Tribe waltzed, relatively speaking, past Towson Saturday. It was the first time in four games the Tribe didn't overcome a double-digit second half deficit. (editor's note: if they're good enough for the Cub Scouts, they're good enough for us.)



MAALOX WEEK
James Madison. The Dukes fell, badly, to Old Dominion (79-52) and George Mason (96-75) last week and have lost four of their last five.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Will Thomas, Mason's really big man, was 19-23 from the field this week and got nothing but two victories. He's good with that.

UNCW finally played a bit of defense, holding Ga State to 21% shooting in the second half in a comeback victory. That's two in a row for the Seahawks.

When Delaware’s Marc Egerson hit a three in the waning seconds against VCU, it broke a combined zero-for-28 stretch of VCU opponents’ three point field goals.

CALGON, TAKE ME AWAY
Georgia State. The Panthers have dropped five straight games by a total of just 20 points after losing to Drexel (58-51) and UNCW (68-61) last week. Georgia State’s last 14 contests have been decided by an average of 5.1 ppg, with only one game ending with more than an eight-point margin.

GAMES OF THE WEEK
Old Dominion at George Mason (WED): This is a battle of the last two at large bid teams from the CAA, which really means nothing. The wheels are loose in Norfolk and the Monarchs could use a huge road win. Mason needs to keep pace with VCU to set up...well...read on.

William & Mary at Drexel (WED): I know, I know, you're kidding, right? Wrong. A road win against a tough team will further boost the Tribe's confidence. And at this point, 6-2 is far better than 5-3.

Old Dominion at William & Mary (SAT): Yeah, I know again. But think about this one; possibly a 6-2 team hosting a 5-3 team. I'm just saying...

Longwood at Hofstra (MON): Just kidding.

VCU at George Mason (TUE): If I have to preview this game and its importance, you need to stop reading.