MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[GP05]

I've learned to stop doubting Balenga based on statistics and what I see with my eyes.  He's the leader of that team.  If you mention otherwise to any of the Marlins they'll laugh and explain to you the level he plays at, especially on the practice court.  Fields may look better but defense's often keep a closer eye on Balenga, opening up some shots for the younger guard.  Fields is definitely talented, though; he may be better than Balenga at his age, maybe even by the numbers now.  I look forward to watching Fields the next couple of years.  There are definitely times that, like you said, I swear he's the most capable guard on the floor.

[DenbowsRoomie]

Greg Beinemann followed up his player-of-the-week honors with his most incredible performance EVER last night.  He tied his career high, but realistically, he very much surpassed that 36-pt output againt Emory & Henry (because, lets face it, anyone with 4 limbs and a pulse can put up numbers against E&H).  Last night, he goes 14-21 (66% shooting) and 7-11 from the line.  He leads his team in rebounds and even hits his only 3-pt attempt in route to scoring HALF of his team's 72 points.

Anyone ready to throw up some roadblocks to the Ben Strong POY bus?

[mybleedinghands]

Anyone ready to throw up some roadblocks to the Ben Strong POY bus?

No

[Mr. Ypsi]

Anyone ready to throw up some roadblocks to the Ben Strong POY bus?

No

Barring a season-ending injury, I'd have to agree with Scottie - and even that might be too late!

[baselinejam]

Anyone ready to throw up some roadblocks to the Ben Strong POY bus?

No

Barring a season-ending injury, I'd have to agree with Scottie - and even that might be too late!

Come on Scottie & Ypsi where's the love? At least keep an open mind. Check the ODAC only stats; Bienemann leads Strong in scoring, fg% and o boards. He does it without a 6'10" sidekick(the Genrals don't have anyone over 6'7").

It should be a fun game to watch next week!

[DenbowsRoomie]

Not to mention that Ben Strong looks like he should play basketball....while Greg Bienemann looks like he should be a golfer or something.

Deceptive!

[sludge]

Anyone ready to throw up some roadblocks to the Ben Strong POY bus?

No

Barring a season-ending injury, I'd have to agree with Scottie - and even that might be too late!

Come on Scottie & Ypsi where's the love? At least keep an open mind. Check the ODAC only stats; Bienemann leads Strong in scoring, fg% and o boards. He does it without a 6'10" sidekick(the Genrals don't have anyone over 6'7").

It should be a fun game to watch next week!

Well Strong hasn't had many minutes with or tag-teaming with that injured 6'10" guy.  But Tyler is making a comeback, and might be a big factor. 

Anyway, I agree about one thing: the game with the Genies will be fun.  Guilford has RMC and VWC on the road in front of that, though.  Is there a more challenging road trip?

[FortyFour]

No offense to Balenga intended, but from what I saw last night, he's not the best wing guard on VWC.  Fields has got a lot of game.  He is quick and explosive to the basket, can hit pullup or fadeaway jumpers and his behind the arc shooting is good, although his form isn't as nice as Balenga's.  Last year as a freshman in Salem, he helped the Tigers out by taking some shots outside the Marlin offense, but he has it going on now.  His offensive quickness is hard to handle. 

The Marlin combination of speed and good shooters is tough.

I don't know about the comparison between Fields and Balenga (I think the two have strengths in their game that makes a "better than" comparison tough), but I agree that Fields is a tremendous talent.  The few times I've been able to watch the Marlins in person over the past couple years, I came away feeling that he would blossom into a very special wing player in the ODAC.  I just think he's a tough cover for the reasons you mentioned  - pull-up jumpers, dribble-drive ability, and above-average three point ability.  I think he's been able to make some solid strides in his game this year (like better shot selection), and I think he's going to give opposing ODAC teams fits for the rest of his career.

[mybleedinghands]

I think Fields can be a more dangerous player than Balenga.

[hasanova]

I haven't researched his numbers, but the one time I saw Balenga this year (vs Guilford) he didn't play well at all.  Everyone has a bad game every once in a while, but you just don't expect a 1st team performer to not score.

[GP05]

I also think Fields can be better than Balenga. Compared to Balenga as a Sophomore, he's at least nearly as good. Balenga's leadership on that team, however, makes him special.  You can argue 1st team/2nd team regardless but it has never been statistics that really separated Balenga.  It's nice to see Fields showing signs of leadership and clutch shooting somewhat reminiscent of his senior counterpart who shot his way to a ring in his own soph season.  I'd love to see a Field's imitation of Mr. Balenga come tournament time.

[jdubyadubya]

TonTon is having a bumpy year, kind of a senioritis type of thing. Ben Strong is hands down the POY. COY might just be Coach Moir. FOY - no clue.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Ton Ton has had back-to-back bumpy seasons. He was a very good player when he wasn't the focus of the defense, as he wasn't in Virginia Wesleyan's national championship season. He hit a couple of big shots in the Elite 8 and Championship games.

But since he became the main outside threat last season and then main scoring threat this season, it doesn't seem like he has been able to raise his game to compensate.

Lots of expectations after that championship season have not materlized.

[FortyFour]

Ton Ton has had back-to-back bumpy seasons. He was a very good player when he wasn't the focus of the defense, as he wasn't in Virginia Wesleyan's national championship season. He hit a couple of big shots in the Elite 8 and Championship games.

But since he became the main outside threat last season and then main scoring threat this season, it doesn't seem like he has been able to raise his game to compensate.

Lots of expectations after that championship season have not materlized.

I don't know what those expectations could have been then.  Balenga is averaging (rounded numbers): 16 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg, 1.5 steals, 42% FG, 39% 3P, and 81% FT.  I don't really see how that's a bad year, or not meeting expectations.   

The strength of his game has always been his outside shot (which I would argue that he has been the main outside threat since he came to VWC - even as a freshman).  He has a solid chance to leave VWC as it's second all-time leading scorer, he's already the leading 3 point shooter in school history, he's been the primary wing scorer on teams that have posted 24, 30, and 28 win seasons, and oh yeah, he did hit a bunch of huge, clutch shots during the 2006 championship run.  I don't see how he hasn't lived up to expecations.  All in all, "bumpy seasons" or not, I'll take a kid like Balenga on my team any day of the week. 

[hasanova]

Man, how much is at stake in Guilford's back-to-back games at RMC and VWC tomorrow and Sunday?   Talk about make it or break it for the ODAC championship!  Any sense for how many fans will be in both venues?  If I could, I'd be at both games, but I'll have to settle for the net.  Honestly, I don't have a clue how either of these games are going to go!  Peace