MBB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

HSCFAN04 · December 02, 2008, 02:41:02 PM

Can anyone from HSC tell me why Paul Matthews isn't getting much PT? I watched this kid play in the Pittsburgh area and he seemed to be pretty good and from what I've read and watched he has played well and his stats are decent. Just wondering.....

jdubyadubya · December 02, 2008, 04:02:27 PM

Thanks Nova. Certainly brightened my day! By the way, you have been periodic(ally) brilliant today.

sludge · December 02, 2008, 08:37:20 PM

Hey ya'll, I'm just back from Haifa, Israel where we enjoyed some Strong hospitality. It was a great trip.

The European game (as seen in Israel) is very physical. The refs to let them play, especially in the paint. Euro game is also greatly based on pick and roll, or pick and pop. Pick and roll really works, as it can create at least momentary mismatches, even against a good defense.

Guilford has a big fan over there in Haifa.

I'm partly caught up on the ODAC, which looks very dynamic! I predict a wild season, based on the early returns. Somebody's got to poke the ball away from EMU sometimes (6 turnovers - remarkable)! I hope teams like RMC and VWC don't get discouraged (except against Guilford ;-) ). Its good to get that top ten or top 25 monkey off your back anyway.

General basketball observation... In every level of play anywhere, defense is a most significant factor in winning games. It can be very reliable, works well on the road, and is very much driven by effort (as distinct from dropping three pointers from long range, which also takes fine talent and pixie dust). Defense doesn't care how tight the rim is.

How much you "bring it" is a huge factor in winning.

Guilford's Mat Stanley isn't your typical starter, but is a deserving one. He really is a leader with his hustle and good vibe. His work ethic is great in practice, and he brings it. And, that's what you want out of your team.

Gotta bring it, Guilford.

Best wishes to everybody, even the slippery nasty Fish.
--- sludge

HSCfan · December 02, 2008, 08:48:11 PM

Guilford goes down to North Carolina Wesleyan at home by 21, I believe. While I was hoping that the Quakers could pull one out for the ODAC, I can't help but be a bit encouraged as a Tiger fan by that result. The Tigers, although they had to come back from a large deficit against the Bishops, did just that and had a chance to win or tie with 6 seconds left in Rocky Mount with NCWC shooting 60+ percent in the second half.

Of course every game is different, match ups are different, but I think it is more surprising that Guilford lost by such a large margin with Sanborn going off for almost 30 points. I still think that GC is one of the top-4 teams in the conference this year, despite this early season loss to a team that is red-hot right now.

I am also encouraged as a Tiger fan because, with H-SC having fallen to Maryville by 1, H-SC has lost two games to legitimate Top-25 teams (I know that Maryville is only receiving votes, but when all is said and done they will be in the Top-25) by a combined three points, I feel that the Tigers could be on the cusp.

But, in true 2008-09 ODAC fashion, my world could be rocked tomorrow night when the Tigers invade the Bast Center. That place hasn't been too kind to the Tigers over the past few years (an exception being last season), and I don't know what to expect from the Maroons. Good luck Tigers...this is a big, opening ODAC game for both sides.

Mr. Ypsi · December 02, 2008, 08:59:45 PM

sludge,

This may be a way premature question, but did you get the feeling Ben still has his aim on the NBA, or would he be perfectly content with a European career?

baselinejam · December 02, 2008, 10:35:34 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on December 02, 2008, 08:59:45 PM
sludge,

This may be a way premature question, but did you get the feeling Ben still has his aim on the NBA, or would he be perfectly content with a European career?

Not that you asked - but little geography lesson is due. Israel is in Asia. Then again also unasked - I hope Ben is focusing on his game in Haifa.'Cause if he has a shot in the NBA it won't be until he's 28 and has developed a stronger game and the body to go with it. IMO he'd be eaten alive by the players at the 4 & 5 in the League.

I'm interested as well - what do you think Sludge?

hasanova · December 02, 2008, 10:39:31 PM

Ouch! 76-55, NCWC over Guilford. Guilford is a good team, but NCWC is a great team ... at least tonight. The Bishops are talented and they can leap. It was a close back and forth first half and, surprisingly, Guilford had the the ball at 23 all poised to take a lead at the half. Bottom line, we missed a lay-up and NCWC threw a full court outlet pass with 1.3 seconds and hit a layup of their own at the buzzer .... so, a somewhat demoralizing 25-23 deficit for GC at the half.

Then, the Quakers couldn't do anything right to start the second and the Bishops were hot. I saw a couple of keys to the outcome: The Bishops outrebounded the Quakers 50-38, the Quakers were only 8-15 from the FT line, Guilford's three-point shooting was uncharacteristically low and Henson had, arguably, the worst game I've ever seen him play. I think he was 2 of 14 for 6 points.

NCWC earned the win and, at 7-0, deserves to be #24. GC's Sanborn had a yeoman 28 tonight, but the NCWC three-headed monster (Numbers 21, 22 and 23) combined for 48 points. If the Bishops are picked to finish 4th of 7 in the USAS this season, I think the coaches have missed the mark ... I predict NCWC will be the regular-season champ.

Oh well, time to put this one behind us and get ready for the Fish! We're still 4-2 and there's lots of basketball to play!

Mr. Ypsi · December 02, 2008, 10:52:44 PM

baselinejam,

Thanks for the 'geography lesson'. I'm well aware that Israel is geographically in Asia, but in basketball terms, they are considered European. Until you reach the Far East, they would utterly destroy any bball team in Asia.

hasanova · December 02, 2008, 11:19:07 PM

Quote from: jdubyadubya on December 02, 2008, 04:02:27 PM
Thanks Nova. Certainly brightened my day! By the way, you have been periodic(ally) brilliant today.

Thanks for your kindness, j dub. My brain's not a cup - it's a tub! full of facts - or distortions? - of galactic proportions. Not quantum - so there lies the rub!

hasanova · December 02, 2008, 11:27:47 PM

sludge - Sounds as though you had a good trip to Israel. I also read some about it on Ben's blog. Reading his accounts, it also seems as though his playing time is coming sparingly, but he's learning a lot about the very physical international style of play. Tough one at Guilford tonight ... NCWC is a great team and Guilford is still learning to play with this year's personnel. I didn't speak with him, but I think I saw Caleb tonight. Dave Odom was also there and we did get a chance to speak. I look forward to a more full report when we see each other. Shalom!

hasanova · December 02, 2008, 11:41:59 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on December 02, 2008, 10:52:44 PM
baselinejam,

Thanks for the 'geography lesson'. I'm well aware that Israel is geographically in Asia, but in basketball terms, they are considered European. Until you reach the Far East, they would utterly destroy any bball team in Asia.

Yeah, they can't have it both ways ... like Turkey!

sludge · December 03, 2008, 12:09:32 AM

Well, rats on that NC Wesleyan game, but they are a tough team. Guilford won't win them all, and the test is how you react to a loss. Just wipe that dust off your feet and go on!

Yeah, I also noticed the location of Israel, but the top Israeli teams do participate in the Euroleague, and the country in general has a fairly european feel, with additional Hebrew, Arab, Druze, B'Hai and who-knows-what-all influences. The basketball is good, and the food is good!

Ben is working to play in the NBA. He's 22 this season; perhaps he could accomplish that at age 25 (although it is probably foolish for me to say that; I don't hear him speculating about my career.) He's grown up some already since college, and he's playing really excellent defense right now. He's bumping every day in practice against Brooks Sales (Villanova) and Ido Kozikaro (Israeli national team), and he's learning alot.

Go Guilford! Don't let this evening throw you. If you make every game a life and death proposition, you'll have a lot of problems. For one thing, you'll be dead alot (learned that on this board).

jdubyadubya · December 03, 2008, 09:15:52 AM

Whoa now sludge! "Even the nasty slimy Fish...." "Them is fightin' words." As I recall, your Ben had his way with the nasty slimy Fish on many occasions. Check the stats, Nova, and see if I'm right. We'll see what happens very soon, won't we!

baselinejam · December 03, 2008, 09:37:06 AM

Ben Strong's team & team stats through 6 games:

http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=ISR&Team=2732

Good luck Ben.

DeWayneCarter · December 03, 2008, 09:59:51 AM

Quote from: baselinejam on December 03, 2008, 09:37:06 AM
Ben Strong's team & team stats through 6 games:

http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=ISR&Team=2732

Good luck Ben.

Looks like Ben Strong is playing with some talented players over there.. i.e. Davon Jefferson, a former USC standout who should have stayed another year in college before declaring for the draft.