MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

justafan02 · February 01, 2007, 12:16:02 PM

BC had no shot last night. Early, the Marlins could not hit a shot, but BC couldn't get past the Marlin defense. The guards SWARMED BC's guards all night. I don't think BC would have scored 30 points if Macedo and co. didn't let them by putting in a lot of subs etc. The Marlins were all over the place despite a big off night for Balenga and Adair didn't play a whole lot in either half.

I guess after the board wondered where Tyler Fantin has been, he must have visited and showed he was back. 21 points last night to lead the Marlins. I wish you all would have been there to see Stephen Fields block. One of the top defensive plays I have ever seen. BC was on a fast break and Fields came out of no where to pin the ball against the boards. It was like he jumped from the free throw line.

justafan02 · February 01, 2007, 01:22:51 PM

Brandon Adair is only 149 points away from 2,000. He is going to need some post season games to get there. If my math is correct and he plays the 5 regular season games he has left, 2 Conference tourney games (more or less) and 2 NCAA games (more or less) he has to average 16.5 points. I would hope the Marlins would get in 4 post season games....but we shall see.

That is assuming the Marlins play those games.

PS: Balenga is 904 away....with the remainder of this season and next. He will have to light it up next year to get it.

hasanova · February 01, 2007, 02:46:00 PM

First, congratulations to Adair and Balenga for outstanding careers. justafan02's comments about the Marlins' stars also prompted me to check on Strong's stats.

So far, Ben has scored 1192 career points in 72 games. That's 248 in 27 games as a freshman, 509 in 27 games as a sophomore and 435 in 18 games as a junior. Knowing there are at least seven more games this season (six regular and at least one in the ODAC tournament) and assuming 25 regular season games next season (keep in mind, however, that GC only played 24 this year), that will be at least 32. If we also assume four more postseason games over two seasons (and hoping for more), Ben would have to average 22.44 to reach 2000.

It's certainly an attainable goal, especially if he can maintain or increase his 2006-07 24.2 ppg average and if the Quakers get deeper into the postseason. As a senior in 2007-2008, Ben figures to have another dominant year, so I think his chances are excellent.

jdubyadubya · February 02, 2007, 08:30:53 AM

Justafan02 - Just how good is Stephen Fields?

justafan02 · February 02, 2007, 08:43:02 AM

First off, I think Strong will have a great shot at 2,000 as well. I don't really see him not scoring as many points next year. Isn't Snipes a Senior? If so then that will lay more of the scoring burden on Strong next year
etc.

Quote from: jdubyadubya on February 02, 2007, 08:30:53 AM
Justafan02 - Just how good is Stephen Fields?

Mr. Warren, to answer your question. I have no idea. I think the sky is the limit for Fields. He is always in the gym. I see him working out on off days by himself and he is so explosive on the court. Again, we may not see the "star player" come out in him until 2008-2009, because of Balenga and Adair, but man he is special.

jdubyadubya · February 02, 2007, 09:13:23 AM

Justafan02 - thanks. I think Coach Macedo's recruiting efforts have been outstanding.

algernon · February 02, 2007, 09:44:29 AM

Quote from: justafan02 on February 01, 2007, 01:22:51 PM
Brandon Adair is only 149 points away from 2,000. He is going to need some post season games to get there. If my math is correct and he plays the 5 regular season games he has left, 2 Conference tourney games (more or less) and 2 NCAA games (more or less) he has to average 16.5 points. I would hope the Marlins would get in 4 post season games....but we shall see.

That is assuming the Marlins play those games.

Personally, I think that it is a safe assumption that the Marlins will play 3 ODAC tournament games. Not certain, but 90% probable.

Their first NCAA game will be at home on Thursday, March 1 (unless they get a bye). So, with 9 games left (including 4 postseason games), Adair needs to average -- as you say -- 16.5 points/game. With 10 games, it will take 14.9 points/game; with 11 games, 13.5 pts/game; with 12 games, 12.4 pts/game; with 13 games, 11.5 pts/game; and with 14 games (the absolute maximum number of games that Adair has yet to play for VWC), 10.6 pts/game.

I'm sure that reaching 2000 points means little to Adair. If he was concerned about the number of points he scored, he'd be scoring a lot more than he has been.

hasanova · February 02, 2007, 10:05:04 AM

Quote from: justafan02 on February 02, 2007, 08:43:02 AM
First off, I think Strong will have a great shot at 2,000 as well. I don't really see him not scoring as many points next year. Isn't Snipes a Senior? If so then that will lay more of the scoring burden on Strong next year

Yes, Jordan Snipes is a senior, as is Guilford starter Thomas Burge. The Quakers return Belkoski, Kimbrough and Strong. I see freshmen Clay Henson and Justin Strickland being potential starters at guard when they're sophomores and freshman center Tyler Sanborn still getting a lot of minutes subbing for Strong and Belkoski next season. These "educated guesses" are made, of course, without knowing who's in the recruiting pipeline for next fall. As you said, I think it's safe to say Strong will still be the primary focus of the Quaker offense and should have another healthy scoring average in 2007-08.

algernon · February 02, 2007, 10:22:12 AM

There are only 5 byes to be had. I think that Virginia Wesleyan has to win their next 8 games and be sitting at 24-3 when the bracket is decided to have a chance to get a bye. Otherwise, they'll be playing at home on March 1.

Brian Hamilton · February 02, 2007, 12:27:11 PM

Algernon,

I would also add that it is likely that VWC will have only 1 game(if they get a bye) or 2 games(if they don't get the bye) at home in the postseason this year. It is very rare that the selection committee awards hosting privileges to the same school two years in a row.

David Collinge · February 02, 2007, 12:41:27 PM

Quote from: Brian Hamilton on February 02, 2007, 12:27:11 PM
Algernon,

I would also add that it is likely that VWC will have only 1 game(if they get a bye) or 2 games(if they don't get the bye) at home in the postseason this year. It is very rare that the selection committee awards hosting privileges to the same school two years in a row.

Not so rare. Amherst has hosted sectionals the past two seasons. The two tournaments prior to that (2003 and 2004) each had sectionals at Williams and at Wooster. Assuming that the VWC Sectional went well last year from the NCAA's perspective (attendance, logistics, etc.) then I think VWC is definitely in the mix as a potential sectional host this year.

algernon · February 02, 2007, 12:43:51 PM

If they win their next 8 games, I think that they'll host 2 games at the Beach on March 1 & 3. After that, they may be in the mix, but it also seems possible that they might travel to Johns Hopkins, Mississippi College, Wittenberg, Wooster, Hope, or some place like that, depending on how the bracket is set up and who wins the ballgames.

algernon · February 02, 2007, 12:56:43 PM

For those who are interested, this is HSC's history since 1998 of hosting or traveling to sectionals:

1998: Traveled to Calvin College (I believe) in Michigan for sectional.
1999: 26-2 record and hosted the sectional.
2000: 26-1 record. Lost 2nd round game at home to Maryville.
2001: Lost 2nd round game at William Paterson.
2002: Lost 2nd round game at Catholic.
2003: 26-2 record and traveled to Randolph-Macon (27-1) for sectional.
2004: 25-4 record. Lost 2nd round game at Franklin & Marshall.

hasanova · February 02, 2007, 05:06:36 PM

I recognize (and agree) that everyone should see VWC as the favorite in the ODAC tournament. Barring a huge collapse, they're certainly going to win the regular season and be seeded #1 in Salem.

With that being said, however, I think there are several teams capable of springing an upset. How do my fellow posters see the NCAA postseason if the Marlins do not win the ODAC tournament? I can see Guilford getting an NCAA bid even if they don't win the ODAC tournament - assuming, of course, that VWC wins the tournament, the Quakers finish strong in the regular season and make a good showing in Salem. If a third team wins the ODAC tournament (and as much as it pains me to say it), I'm betting VWC gets a bid and GC stays home with nothing.

Pat Coleman · February 03, 2007, 01:34:11 AM

Quote from: algernon on February 02, 2007, 12:43:51 PM
If they win their next 8 games, I think that they'll host 2 games at the Beach on March 1 & 3.

March 2-3. If they get a first-round bye then they do not play on March 1 or 2. Nobody will host on March 1 and 3. Teams that play the first-round games on March 1 travel to a road game on March 3.