MMBOW #3: Eric Maynor, Virginia Commonwealth

Most fans know him for "the Dagger" against Duke two seasons ago, but he's been making opponents say "dang" for the better part of three years. Over the past seven days, he put together one of the most impressive three-game stretches seen in Hoops Nation so far this season. Eric Maynor is our third Mid-Majority Baller of the Week for 2008-09.

Mr. Maynor spent his weekend in the premier vacation destination of Cancun, Mexico, but he was there to work. On what no less of a writer than Michael Litos called a ballroom with a basketball court in it, the VCU star helped engineer a technical upset over Mountain West school New Mexico -- a convincing 12-point win in which Maynor contributed an 18-point, five-assist performance. And while it ended up a losing cause, the Rams fought to within five points of SEC squad Vanderbilt -- the Mayn Man put up 31 while shooting 12-for-19. Add an early-week 35 against East Carolina, and his week was what could be easily called a "showcase."

And that's exactly what this is... he's looking to turn his senior year into a convincing pro resume. Check out these numbers: Maynor is seventh in the nation with a 24.5 ppg scoring average, and leads all Colonial Athletic Association players with a 5.7 assist average. In six games, he's shooting 53 percent from the floor, and 41 percent from 3. And don't forget the 4.0 boards per game; he's looking to average four per game three seasons in a row. Not bad for a point guard.

The 6-2 North Carolina native took a month to think over his early-entry status after his 17.9 ppg junior season, but VCU fans were overjoyed that he decided to stay an extra season. The 2008-09 CAA preseason player of the year will spend the next four months padding his highlight reel, and work on the paint-penetration skills that could take him from second-rounder to instant millionaire (and hopefully cut down on those turnovers). It's been great these last few years watching him mature from a shaky shooter as a freshman into a full-grown NBA-ready stud, and we're fortunate that the college ride isn't over quite yet. Congratulations, Eric Maynor, you're the MMBOW.

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