MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[osnapitsodac]

I think HSC will be on the positive side of that post RS is very small and they lost a couple of key seniors jus like HSC im looking for jyri 2 have a big first game hopefully(he deserves it)Maryville will be a huge test dont know too much about st.marys.

[HSCfan]

St. Mary's, as most ODACers remember, is the team that went into Ragan-Brown and stunned the Quakers in the first round last season...don't know exactly who they lost, but I do know that former R-MC player Alex Irmer is still in the lineup. Either way, a game against a defending NCAA Tourney team at the their gym will be a difficult one. I see H-SC manuevering through their first seven contests at 5-2, with a loss to either Maryville or St. Mary's. Maryville has had a tough off-season, losing a couple kids to injury if I am not mistaken. I personally think Maryville will have their hands full with a well-coached Tiger team early in the season...where anything can happen.

As far as Jyri having a big first game; if he can provide the Tigers with 5-6 rebounds per game and shoot 75% from the foul line, Jyri will contribute plenty to the H-SC cause. Ever since he set foot on campus, Jyri has been one of the hardest workers and quintessential team players, doing everything the coaches ask of him. As much as I would love to see it, Jyri will never be that 14 point, 8 rebound guy. But, he can be that consistent 6-8 point, 6 rebound player who shuts down the opposing big man with his physical style of play. He is a wonderful defender, and one of the keys to Hampden-Sydney's success this year will be defending the post. While Lane Medlin is a very capable scorer, as is Karlis Trops, the Tigers really lack that solid post defender outside of Jyri. He can truly be one of the most valuable players on the roster in 2008-09.

[78rmc]

Links to RMC's SA trip.  What a great opportunity for these kids.  It's quite an advantage to be playing while the rest of the ODAC is sitting at home.
Based on these articles, the ODAC may need to be concerned about a new big in Braxton.

http://www.rmc.edu/News/MBBall09-CHILE1.aspx
http://www.rmc.edu/News/MBBall09-CHILE2.aspx
http://www.rmc.edu/News/MBBall09-CHILE3.aspx

[78rmc]

Here's a fourth game update:

http://www.rmc.edu/News/MBBall09-CHILE4.aspx

[sludge]

Ben Strong signed a multi-year contract with professional team Haifa Heat, (also called Maccabi Haifa Heat)  located in northern Israel.  Here's a link to the  release.  (Ben played for Guilford College the past four years.)
http://www.mhbasket.co.il/newsEng.asp?lang=en&id=362

The Haifa Heat plays in the Israel Premier league, reputedly one of the ten best leagues in the world.  The league participates in the European championship.  Haifa Heat just earned their way into the Premier league last year, so you could consider them up and coming.

Strong reportedly did a great job in a 50 player, two day tryout in Florida.  The players mainly had professional experience, some with ACC backgrounds.  Strong has some heavy traffic in front of him on the roster; he'll be working hard for playing time. It's a great development opportunity!

[hasanova]

Ben Strong signed a multi-year contract with professional team Haifa Heat, (also called Maccabi Haifa Heat)  located in northern Israel.  Here's a link to the  release.  (Ben played for Guilford College the past four years.)
http://www.mhbasket.co.il/newsEng.asp?lang=en&id=362

The Haifa Heat plays in the Israel Premier league, reputedly one of the ten best leagues in the world.  The league participates in the European championship.  Haifa Heat just earned their way into the Premier league last year, so you could consider them up and coming.

Strong reportedly did a great job in a 50 player, two day tryout in Florida.  The players mainly had professional experience, some with ACC backgrounds.  Strong has some heavy traffic in front of him on the roster; he'll be working hard for playing time. It's a great development opportunity!

That's great, sludge!  Thanks for the update.  I saved the team's site, so I'll check on his progress this year.  Peace

[HSCfan]

Congratulations to Ben. I have always thought that Guilford players are not only tremendous athletes, but also tremendous people, and Ben is the epitome of a respectful young man. He has definitely earned this opportunity and is most deserving. I enjoyed watching him play and wish him the best of luck in Israel.

If that squad knows what is best for them, Ben will make his way into the lineup rather quickly 

[osnapitsodac]

yea congrats 2 ben I really liked that video but wished it would have had some odac clips in in.lol

[hasanova]

Congratulations to Ben. I have always thought that Guilford players are not only tremendous athletes, but also tremendous people, and Ben is the epitome of a respectful young man. He has definitely earned this opportunity and is most deserving. I enjoyed watching him play and wish him the best of luck in Israel.

If that squad knows what is best for them, Ben will make his way into the lineup rather quickly 

I have to give HSCfan a karma boost!  lol

[HSCfan]

Whew! Thank you hasanova...I'm not very fond of being associated with a negative number, unless of course I am on the links...which I must admit I don't ever come close to sniffing when I am out there!

[hasanova]

Whew! Thank you hasanova...I'm not very fond of being associated with a negative number, unless of course I am on the links...which I must admit I don't ever come close to sniffing when I am out there!

No problem ... you're welcome.  My golf game is similar.  I've heard two things about golf as well as created one of my own (#3) which sum it up for me:

1. Golf is a nice walk ruined.
2. Golf is flog spelled backwards.
3. Perhaps I should stick with bowling ... I am yet to lose a bowling ball.

Fore!  Peace

[milloylawyer]

Who are  the top teams and players in the ODAC this season?

[baselinejam]

Ben Strong signed a multi-year contract with professional team Haifa Heat, (also called Maccabi Haifa Heat)  located in northern Israel.  Here's a link to the  release.  (Ben played for Guilford College the past four years.)
http://www.mhbasket.co.il/newsEng.asp?lang=en&id=362

The Haifa Heat plays in the Israel Premier league, reputedly one of the ten best leagues in the world.  The league participates in the European championship.  Haifa Heat just earned their way into the Premier league last year, so you could consider them up and coming.

Strong reportedly did a great job in a 50 player, two day tryout in Florida.  The players mainly had professional experience, some with ACC backgrounds.  Strong has some heavy traffic in front of him on the roster; he'll be working hard for playing time. It's a great development opportunity!

I am very happy for Ben. This is seems like an excellent opportunity for him. Any comments from the "Ben has a shot at the NBA" crowd.

[hasanova]

The tryout that produced a contract for Ben Strong was held in Miami and the Israeli team is called the Heat.  Do they have a developmental contract/agreement with the NBA's Miami Heat?  Just curious ...

[sludge]

The tryout that produced a contract for Ben Strong was held in Miami and the Israeli team is called the Heat.  Do they have a developmental contract/agreement with the NBA's Miami Heat?  Just curious ...

I don't think there's any relationship like that, just good alliterative branding by the Haifa Heat.

Somebody asked about the ODAC top team this season, and I wonder whether we had a consensus earlier.  (Fat chance!). 

Were people thinking Randoph-Macon looks strong this year (seems pretty likely to me)? Hampden-Sydney?  Or the nasssty Fish?  Fresh horse in the race?  I think Guilford may start off bumpy and then gel to become a tough date for anybody.