MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[algernon]

Coaches still voted him to All-Conference after a shaky year

15.2 points a game, plus 4.5 rebounds, and one of the leaders of a team that was 22-3 when the voting was done ......  That's hardly what most people would call a "shaky" year and I think it's hard not to vote a player like Balenga to the All-Conference team.  I'd say that the coaches voted him to the 2nd team despite the fact that he behaves poorly on the court.

I can think of a bunch of Tigers since the 1999 team who were as good or better guards than Balenga (e.g. Grimes, Fox, Randall, and Monroe, just to name a few).  All have showed more class as D3 athletes.  Maybe Balenga's game is Balenga's game and he can't do any different, but his behavior doesn't reflect well on him.

[FISHTANKFAN]

 Well for my 2 cents, I do not see the need to tear apart any player at this point in the season.  VWC still has games to play and I am certain that this will filter back to the players.  I simply feel it is an unnecessary attack no matter what your feelings are for Ton.  It is pointless to hurt someones reputation unless they are here to defend themselves.  You may not have all the facts or you may see them differently than others perceive.  Whatever the case may be, everyone knows that Coach Macedo runs a classy program.  I understand you may be upset that Guilford lost but the game is over.  Taking shots at VWC's players will not change that.

[GP87]

Coaches still voted him to All-Conference after a shaky year

15.2 points a game, plus 4.5 rebounds, and one of the leaders of a team that was 22-3 when the voting was done ......  That's hardly what most people would call a "shaky" year and I think it's hard not to vote a player like Balenga to the All-Conference team.  I'd say that the coaches voted him to the 2nd team despite the fact that he behaves poorly on the court.

I can think of a bunch of Tigers since the 1999 team who were as good or better guards than Balenga (e.g. Grimes, Fox, Randall, and Monroe, just to name a few).  All have showed more class as D3 athletes.  Maybe Balenga's game is Balenga's game and he can't do any different, but his behavior doesn't reflect well on him.

The shaky year is referring to 39% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc.  He is capable of much better, as displayed last year (44%, 43% respectively).  Regardless, that wasn't exactly the point of the post.  I'm not convinced that 1) TonTon's behavior is that bad and 2) that this is the place and time to discuss it if it is.  We could play the "my team has had better and classier guards" game if you'd like but I'm not sure that's necessary.  Let's just root for the Marlins and discuss this when we are desperate for something to rant over.

[sludge]

The following message is from Muckraker.  Whether I'm captured or not, I'll disavow all authorship of its contents.  --- sludge
From Muckraker:

Let's celebrate the successes of the ODAC this season:

• Three teams in the NCAA
• ODAC's return to the final four
• Play-til-you-drop (quite literally) attitude of many players
• All time recordbreaking stats
• Great play from all ODAC teams throughout the tournament ( so far)

Celebrate the good and leave the bad alone.  If you don't, it will burn you.  We have much of which to be proud.  (Note placement of the preposition)
Congratulations, ODAC!

[hasanova]

Well for my 2 cents, I do not see the need to tear apart any player at this point in the season.  VWC still has games to play and I am certain that this will filter back to the players.  I simply feel it is an unnecessary attack no matter what your feelings are for Ton.  It is pointless to hurt someones reputation unless they are here to defend themselves.  You may not have all the facts or you may see them differently than others perceive.  Whatever the case may be, everyone knows that Coach Macedo runs a classy program.  I understand you may be upset that Guilford lost but the game is over.  Taking shots at VWC's players will not change that.

Losing to VWC has nothing to do with anything.  I am a bigger man that than.  I have never personally met Ton Ton, so I will accept your and other VWC fans' perception that he is a good fellow and should not be judged solely by a few actions on a basketball court.  By the same token, I think it's unfair to lose an inordinate amount of respect for Jordan Snipes for an ill-advised response in the waning moments of a pressure-packed game with so much on the line, especially when you consider it was a frustrating end to his college career.  Both men should be judged for their whole body of work and personalities and not with myopia.  If any of this discussion gets back to Jordan and Ton Ton, however, so what?  If they're old enough to play championship caliber basketball on a national stage, then they're old enough to absorb a few comments about their styles of play and on-court demeanors.  If they are truly introspective, and I bet they are, they will make adjustments.  I am rooting for VWC this coming weekend because they represent the ODAC and because I want to support my many friends on this board who are Marlins fans, but this is the end of my discussion on this topic.   Go Marlins!  Go ODAC!

[hasanova]

The following message is from Muckraker.  Whether I'm captured or not, I'll disavow all authorship of its contents.  --- sludge
From Muckraker:

Let's celebrate the successes of the ODAC this season:

• Three teams in the NCAA
• ODAC's return to the final four
• Play-til-you-drop (quite literally) attitude of many players
• All time recordbreaking stats
• Great play from all ODAC teams throughout the tournament ( so far)

Celebrate the good and leave the bad alone.  If you don't, it will burn you.  We have much of which to be proud.  (Note placement of the preposition)
Congratulations, ODAC!

Well said.  Preposition placement is noted. 

[justafan02]

 By the same token, I think it's unfair to lose an inordinate amount of respect for Jordan Snipes for an ill-advised response in the waning moments of a pressure-packed game with so much on the line, especially when you consider it was a frustrating end to his college career.  

Agree to disagree.  Balenda does the trash talking, but he doesn't shove players to the floor b/c he is flustered.  I understand Snipes' frustration, but that does not excuse the flagrant foul.

Back to Balenga.  He may be the most "hated in the ODAC" but ask his teamates about practice.  He does the same thing in practice to his teammates.  It's a challenge to them.  If they can handle Ton, they can handle anyone.  He is physically stronger and mentally tougher than many players.  I am not saying I totally approve of his antics, but that is his game "on the court". 

To sum it up.  Ton Ton Balenga is the guy you HATE to play against, but LOVE to play with.  He is a soldier...and goes to war for Macedo and his teammates every day.  I gurantee opponents don't want to see the ball in his hands.

[justafan02]

On another note:

The Guilford faithful was awesome.  I felt like the Marline faithful rooted on GC fans against Lincoln and it was a huge help.  And the Guilford fans returned the favor. They stayed to cheer on the Marlins and many hung around to show congrats. for the Marlins after the victory.  Class Act!!!

If Ben Strong isnt' 1st team All-American and/or National POY then something is terribly wrong .

[hasanova]

On another note:

The Guilford faithful was awesome.  I felt like the Marline faithful rooted on GC fans against Lincoln and it was a huge help.  And the Guilford fans returned the favor. They stayed to cheer on the Marlins and many hung around to show congrats. for the Marlins after the victory.  Class Act!!!

If Ben Strong isnt' 1st team All-American and/or National POY then something is terribly wrong .

Yes, I believe they were and thanks for saying so.  As a matter of fact, some of them are regular posters in this forum.  Obviously, they wanted Guilford to be the winner, but they also wanted us to be united as a conference.  I heard some Guilford fans, wearing Guilford shirts I might add, were yelling encouragement at the Marlins to win another championship once the GC/VWC game was over.  I know Adair and other Marlins players saw them and acknowledged their support.  I feel certain if Guilford had won, the Marlins fans would've done the same.  I also think Ben Strong deserves serious consideration for National POY.  Perhaps that will go to someone else, but Ben is, in my opinion, a very worthy candidate.  I am definitely already looking forward to next season!  With three returning starters, the maturation of this year's freshmen and sophomores and, hopefully, a few key recruits, the outlook for 2007-08 appears bright.

By the way, here are Ben's scoring stats after three seasons:

Freshman 248 in a 27-game back-up role to Genaro Lawhorn 9.2 ppg
Sophomore 509 in a 27-game starting role 18.9 ppg
Junior 737 in a 29-game starting role 25.4 ppg

Incredibly, it should also be noted that 146 of those points came in the four NCAA play-off games!

That's a total of 1494 points in 83 games.  Barring an injury, Ben should pass the 2000 point plateau next year.  This year was outstanding, of course, and the Quakers had extra games due to a run in the postseason, but it's conceivable for Ben to top 2100 or even 2200 points for his career.  I hope so!     

[Mr. Ypsi]

hasa,

If Ben 'merely' matches his junior year, he would blow right past 2200.  With his year-to-year improvement, and assuming the Quakers go deep in the tourney, no reason he can't 'shoot' for 2400!

If the national POY balloting took place before the Lincoln game (which I don't know one way or the other), he may not make it this year - but I'd say he's certainly the early favorite for next year.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Strong moved up on the All-American team rather quickly this tournament. Four games against increasingly better and better opponents and Ben only played better and better.

I had the honor of meeting Strong's father before the Lincoln game... and saw him briefly in passing afterwards. I only wish I could have said something more to him after I saw that performance against Lincoln and then an even gutsier one against VWC. To say Strong is a very talented player is an understatement. He is a rare talent in a very deep pool. He also has a heart in him not many players have. You can't teach what he already has inside him... and that makes him even more of a pleasure to watch play the game.

I can't wait to watch him again next year!

[hasanova]

hasa,

If Ben 'merely' matches his junior year, he would blow right past 2200.  With his year-to-year improvement, and assuming the Quakers go deep in the tourney, no reason he can't 'shoot' for 2400!

If the national POY balloting took place before the Lincoln game (which I don't know one way or the other), he may not make it this year - but I'd say he's certainly the early favorite for next year.

I agree, Mr. Ypsi.  I was deliberately being a bit reserved in my predictions for several reasons.  First, Guilford only had 24 regular season games this year and I'm not yet sure how many they'll have next season. (Ben, by the way, scored 14 against DI Elon in the opening exhibition game, but they don't count toward his career total.)  Second, you never know how many postseason games you'll get.  GC was surprised in the ODAC quarterfinals this season, but then played four in the NCAA tournament.  Go figure!  Third, an improvement over this year would be huge.  At 25.4 ppg, how much room does he have for more?

I hope you're right!  I think everyone knows the better Ben does, the better Guilford will be ... and this year, he was very, very good.       

[hasanova]

Strong moved up on the All-American team rather quickly this tournament. Four games against increasingly better and better opponents and Ben only played better and better.

I had the honor of meeting Strong's father before the Lincoln game... and saw him briefly in passing afterwards. I only wish I could have said something more to him after I saw that performance against Lincoln and then an even gutsier one against VWC. To say Strong is a very talented player is an understatement. He is a rare talent in a very deep pool. He also has a heart in him not many players have. You can't teach what he already has inside him... and that makes him even more of a pleasure to watch play the game.

I can't wait to watch him again next year!

Hey, Dave.  I enjoyed your call on the postseason games very much.  Great job! 

Ben absolutely did make a big impression in the postseason.  One hundred and forty-six points in four games is a ton!  In order, as you well know, he had 24, 29, 59 and 34.  That's big-time production and we're not talking about Podunk University, Creampuff Community College and No Talent Tech.  I've also met many members of Ben's family and they want him to be in a good college for all the right reasons.  The fact he's an incredible basketball talent is just a bonus.  I also can't wait until next November!

[balls a dunkin]

just got back in town from vwc.  not a very good trip for the chocs.  vwc played a hell of a game.  i personally thought that the refs pretty much sucked on both sides.  not so much the calls they made but the no calls is what killed me.  the chocs just wasn't ready for that kind of game.  also, those fans are something.  they really love their team.  but what really surprised was how far they took it. the whole BS, and overratted chants doesn't really bother me,  but some of the stuff i heard really could be avoided.  it wasn't a chant,  just 1 idiot here and there that showed no class.

hopefully mike jones and staff will have a good recruiting and we will get another shot at you guys. 

good luck to guys
 

[justafan02]

hasa,

If Ben 'merely' matches his junior year, he would blow right past 2200.  With his year-to-year improvement, and assuming the Quakers go deep in the tourney, no reason he can't 'shoot' for 2400!

If the national POY balloting took place before the Lincoln game (which I don't know one way or the other), he may not make it this year - but I'd say he's certainly the early favorite for next year.

I could be way off, but Brandon Adair was National POY last year.  I think it had to do with his regular season performance, but a lot to do with his 2006 NCAA tournament performance on top of the Marlin's great run. 

In my opinion Strong was a good candidate before the NCAA's, but really put on a show nationally.  The balloting should be after the tourney and if it is....he has a great shot.  How would that look for the ODAC?  Two National POY in a row....and they were both Juniors.