MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[justafan02]

I am biased so when I vote Adair it probably doesn't mean much.  Both of these guys should be first team All-Americans which will speak well for the ODAC.  Remember too that Adair at 6'5 should be easier to guard at times, but he is so strong and talented that he still scores.  In fact at 69%, he pretty much scores whenever he wants to.  He also plays along side another All-American in Balenga. 

Whoever wins, will be very desearving of it and no one can really deny the selection of either one of these guys.

[sludge]

I am biased...  Whoever wins, will be very desearving of it and no one can really deny the selection of either one of these guys.

Ah, yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm biased, too. 
Agree about the whoever wins.  And maybe we should be emphasizing team play more than individual play.

That said, I vote Palumbo for coach of the year!   

[hasanova]

Any notions on ODAC P.O.Y.?

The last two years I have not seen a game, save maybe one, that Adair was not obviously the best player on the floor.  (That one game was against Lincoln in the tourney last year). I think the statistics even out in the end, given the roles the two have accepted on their respective teams.  However, as Algernon says, Adair won both head to head games; one wasn't close.  Given this and the fact that he's the returning national POY, I favor him to win it.  We can debate this forever and it will never be settled in full.  I can't decide personally, but they should both be All-Americans.

I'm just hoping for some high level postseason basketball from both sides.

To me, this may be part of the issue.   Adair's name is still basking in the glow of being "last year's" National POY, but the award in question is for "this year's" ODAC POY.  It's also not an award for best head-to-head series.  I simply think Strong had the better overall year.  I think it was Joe DiMaggio who was the first MLB player to earn $100,000 in a year.  When asked by reporters what he thought about making more money than the President of the United States, Joe remarked, "I had a better year."  I, like everyone else, think they're both great players and I hope GC and VWC have deep runs into the postseason! 

[GP87]

Any notions on ODAC P.O.Y.?

The last two years I have not seen a game, save maybe one, that Adair was not obviously the best player on the floor.  (That one game was against Lincoln in the tourney last year). I think the statistics even out in the end, given the roles the two have accepted on their respective teams.  However, as Algernon says, Adair won both head to head games; one wasn't close.  Given this and the fact that he's the returning national POY, I favor him to win it.  We can debate this forever and it will never be settled in full.  I can't decide personally, but they should both be All-Americans.

I'm just hoping for some high level postseason basketball from both sides.

To me, this may be part of the issue.   Adair's name is still basking in the glow of being "last year's" National POY, but the award in question is for "this year's" ODAC POY.  It's also not an award for best head-to-head series.  I simply think Strong had the better overall year.  I think it was Joe DiMaggio who was the first MLB player to earn $100,000 in a year.  When asked by reporters what he thought about making more money than the President of the United States, Joe remarked, "I had a better year."  I, like everyone else, think they're both great players and I hope GC and VWC have deep runs into the postseason! 

It's definately part of the issue.  That being said, you can make a very good case for Adair as POY without any history.  When statistics are extremely close, it is relevant to look at what the two players did head to head.  It's a toss up in my mind; either choice is justified.

[hasanova]

The stats are not close.  Also, show me where height is a criterium.  Again, they are both great players, but 2006-07 was Strong's year.

[FISHTANKFAN]

Even though I am a Marlins fan, my vote would still go to Brandon Adair. No direspect to Ben Strong, he is a really gifted player but I believe Brandon to be a slightly better all around player.  From the moment he stepped on the court as a Freshman, he was an impact player and he has grown to be the unselfish leader for the Marlins.  His assists, rebounding, steals, and lack of turnovers give him the edge over Ben.  The Marlins are very talented, with many players who can win a game for them from TonTon, to Tyler or Thomas or Terrell . For any player to stand out on the Marlins, they have to be exceptional and Brandon is.  Of course, the voters may see it differently and Ben may get the nod this year. Good Luck to all in the ODAC tourney.  It's going to be a good one.

[algernon]

The stats are not close.  Also, show me where height is a criterium.  Again, they are both great players, but 2006-07 was Strong's year.

The 2 players' stats are different:  Adair has 18 points and 8 rebounds a game, as well as the 2nd highest FG% in the country.  He has almost twice as many assists as Strong, 3 times as many steals, and has turned the ball over about half as many times.  Strong, on the other hand, has 4 points for every 3 of Adair's, in good part because he hits his free throws at a much higher rate.  He also has about 35% more rebounds and lots more blocks.

In truth, 2006-07 was also Adair's year .... He has been every bit as impressive as he was last year, when he was national POY.

[hasanova]

The stats are not close.  Also, show me where height is a criterium.  Again, they are both great players, but 2006-07 was Strong's year.

The 2 players' stats are different:  Adair has 18 points and 8 rebounds a game, as well as the 2nd highest FG% in the country.  He has almost twice as many assists as Strong, 3 times as many steals, and has turned the ball over about half as many times.  Strong, on the other hand, has 4 points for every 3 of Adair's, in good part because he hits his free throws at a much higher rate.  He also has about 35% more rebounds and lots more blocks.

In truth, 2006-07 was also Adair's year .... He has been every bit as impressive as he was last year, when he was national POY.

algernon, I'll respectfully agree to disagree, but I honestly don't think there should be any doubt in the voter's minds.  If Adair wins, congratulations, but I'm sincerely not seeing how it's even a question for 2006-07.

[algernon]

Hasanova .... I certainly respectfully disagree with your thinking that Strong will almost certainly be the POY this year.  He's up against some mighty tough competition in Adair and I have little doubt that Adair will get a number of the coaches' votes, if not the majority of them.  Strong is a super player who deserves serious POY consideration, but I think that a good number of ODAC fans are more impressed by Adair's play.  Only time will tell how the coaches vote.

Numbers quantify what's happening, to some extent, and if you look at something other than points and rebounds, it's a real mixed bag  -- with Adair clearly hitting a much higher percentage of his shots, getting more assists and steals, and turning the ball over less.

We could look at last year, when Adair wouldn't have been a First Team All-American on the basis of just points and rebounds:  He had 18.8 points / game .... 71st highest point total in DIII ..... and only 6.4 rebounds / game .... which put him at #9 in the ODAC and nowhere close to being among the Top 75 rebounders in the country.

Only 3 of the top 5 scorers in the country (each with 27 to 33 points) were All-Americans (one a 1st-teamer, one a 4th teamer, and one an HM).  Adair was a First Team All-American last year even though his point total was much lower.

[sludge]

...it was a classic...sludge we [E&H] will see yall again

The amazing thing is, after looking at the bracket, I'd be glad to see yall again!

[justafan02]

The stats are not close.  Also, show me where height is a criterium.  Again, they are both great players, but 2006-07 was Strong's year.

The stats are not close but neither were some stats last year when Adair was voted National Player of the Year.   There were players out there who averaged more than 25 points a game, but Adair still got it.  Why?  Because he was THE BEST PLAYER.  I don't think ODAC player of the year is hands down for anyone, but Adair should get the nod.

Bottom Line:  Game on the line who would you rather take the final shot from the floor?  Adair?  Strong?  My money is on Adair.....

[Mr. Ypsi]

When asked by reporters what he thought about making more money than the President of the United States, Joe [DiMaggio] remarked, "I had a better year." 

Actually, it was Babe Ruth who got off that zinger.  Since the President in question was Herbert Hoover, it's hard to argue with the Babe!

[tigers]

Guys and gals,

POY is not just a statistical selection.  It is based on numerous factors.

I remember when TJ Grimes won it (and did so handily) averaging around 15 pts/game.   The selection is made by the coaches who have a bit more perspective than simply looking at the weekly stats...

It is pretty clear that VA WES has had a better year and that people would MUCH rather play Guilford than VW.  My bet is that Adair gets it.  But, Hasanova, I think to suggest that this year is clearly Strong's is only showing a bias towards stats and not other relevant variables (which I do believe the coaches take into account). 

Sludge,
You are not the first person to suggest that home-cooking occurs in Emory.  While I certainly wasn't there and BJ gets his guys to play hard, there is no question that officiating is often questionable at that location.  I disagree with B. Hamilton's view on this one...it is often relatively sketchy...

Justafan, Please don't bash...just one man's opinion (with a fair amount of experience).

[tigers]

Sorry, justafan...I meant ODACFAN1 in the prior post...apologies...

[hasanova]

When asked by reporters what he thought about making more money than the President of the United States, Joe [DiMaggio] remarked, "I had a better year." 

Actually, it was Babe Ruth who got off that zinger.  Since the President in question was Herbert Hoover, it's hard to argue with the Babe!

Thanks for the correction.  I wondered if it was actually Ruth.  If I had been feeling better yesterday, I would have taken the time to look it up.