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There just aren't that many 6'10+ guys who can play to go around anymore since the one and done stuff started. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting to get someone like those guys.

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(01-04-2018 12:27 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-03-2018 07:31 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  New players available next year for us, include one - 4* and three - 3*. Two bigs and two guards. I see us going with two PFs, two wings and a point. Not many teams even in the NBA have true centers. The other thought, the center position is the hardest to develop at our level, most players need 2-3 years.

In a 10 year period (or less), Blaine got Alex Laughton, Gerald Lee, Frank Hassell, and Chris Cooper to come to ODU. While each had their own nuances, they all fit the bill for being a center that could defend, rebound, and score inside against most anyone they had to play against as an opposing center. Some played as freshmen. Some redshirted for development. It can be done - even at ODU.

I'm encouraged by the fact that Jeff is actively recruiting one or two. I'll be disappointed if he is unsuccessful with his efforts - again. Maybe Blaine just had better connections than Jeff does.

None of those guys were true Centers, they were power forwards. We need to get over our obsession with defined positions, players need to be well rounded offensively and defensively, and have a multifaceted game to be successful in today's game. Just my opinion

I agree with the last two posts wholeheartedly. A 6'8" guy who can play inside and step out is fine by me! I also like a Trey Porter shot blocking type. Maybe we can get one more of each please!

I would take another big guy in this class, but we will have Carver, Porter, Kalu, and Reece all playing the 4/5 next year. Add in possibly development from Pilavious. The following year we may add Vaughan. Depending on the player, another grad transfer might be ideal to allow for the development of the young guys. Hard to see another wing or point guard earning time for the next couple years.

(01-04-2018 12:01 PM)mac Wrote:  I agree with the last two posts wholeheartedly. A 6'8" guy who can play inside and step out is fine by me! I also like a Trey Porter shot blocking type. Maybe we can get one more of each please!

That's fine by me too Mac ... as long as that 6'8" guy can also defend the post against the other team when they actually do have a player like Porter, or someone even potentially better offensively inside than him at 6'-10", 6'-11", or 7'-0". That's a tall order for any 6'-7" guy that ODU is likely to ever get.

(01-04-2018 11:57 AM)BigBlueMonarch Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 12:27 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-03-2018 07:31 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  New players available next year for us, include one - 4* and three - 3*. Two bigs and two guards. I see us going with two PFs, two wings and a point. Not many teams even in the NBA have true centers. The other thought, the center position is the hardest to develop at our level, most players need 2-3 years.

In a 10 year period (or less), Blaine got Alex Laughton, Gerald Lee, Frank Hassell, and Chris Cooper to come to ODU. While each had their own nuances, they all fit the bill for being a center that could defend, rebound, and score inside against most anyone they had to play against as an opposing center. Some played as freshmen. Some redshirted for development. It can be done - even at ODU.

I'm encouraged by the fact that Jeff is actively recruiting one or two. I'll be disappointed if he is unsuccessful with his efforts - again. Maybe Blaine just had better connections than Jeff does.

None of those guys were true Centers, they were power forwards. We need to get over our obsession with defined positions, players need to be well rounded offensively and defensively, and have a multifaceted game to be successful in today's game. Just my opinion

What is your definition of a "true center" and a power forward?

FYI, I too believe that players need to be, or at least should be, well rounded offensively and defensively. All of those guys that I mentioned from the last decade were talented at both ends of the floor. There were some others that I didn't mention from that same time period like Janko Mrksic that were not at talented at one end or the other (or both).

(01-04-2018 12:31 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I would take another big guy in this class, but we will have Carver, Porter, Kalu, and Reece all playing the 4/5 next year. Add in possibly development from Pilavious. The following year we may add Vaughan. Depending on the player, another grad transfer might be ideal to allow for the development of the young guys. Hard to see another wing or point guard earning time for the next couple years.

I've never stood next to or near Pilavious, but someone that posts on here claims that he has and that the guy is not any taller than 6'-4" at most. I can tell by looking at him that he is not at all brawny, heavy, or what I would call ruggedly built. I can't picture him covering someone like 6'-8" Justin Johnson from WKU, or even our own 4 & 5 guys (Brandan or Porter).

Depending on what Jones is able to do recruiting wise between the end of this season and the beginning of next season, it may end up where he needs to find another transfer to replace Porter after next season, or to back him up next season.

(01-04-2018 01:51 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 12:31 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I would take another big guy in this class, but we will have Carver, Porter, Kalu, and Reece all playing the 4/5 next year. Add in possibly development from Pilavious. The following year we may add Vaughan. Depending on the player, another grad transfer might be ideal to allow for the development of the young guys. Hard to see another wing or point guard earning time for the next couple years.

I've never stood next to or near Pilavious, but someone that posts on here claims that he has and that the guy is not any taller than 6'-4" at most. I can tell by looking at him that he is not at all brawny, heavy, or what I would call ruggedly built. I can't picture him covering someone like 6'-8" Justin Johnson from WKU, or even our own 4 & 5 guys (Brandan or Porter).

Depending on what Jones is able to do recruiting wise between the end of this season and the beginning of next season, it may end up where he needs to find another transfer to replace Porter after next season, or to back him up next season.

How many skilled 6-10 players or taller have we played this year and how many are we expected to play? I'm not sure I can think of one off the top of my head that I worried Brandan could not guard.

(01-04-2018 02:05 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 01:51 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 12:31 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I would take another big guy in this class, but we will have Carver, Porter, Kalu, and Reece all playing the 4/5 next year. Add in possibly development from Pilavious. The following year we may add Vaughan. Depending on the player, another grad transfer might be ideal to allow for the development of the young guys. Hard to see another wing or point guard earning time for the next couple years.

I've never stood next to or near Pilavious, but someone that posts on here claims that he has and that the guy is not any taller than 6'-4" at most. I can tell by looking at him that he is not at all brawny, heavy, or what I would call ruggedly built. I can't picture him covering someone like 6'-8" Justin Johnson from WKU, or even our own 4 & 5 guys (Brandan or Porter).

Depending on what Jones is able to do recruiting wise between the end of this season and the beginning of next season, it may end up where he needs to find another transfer to replace Porter after next season, or to back him up next season.

How many skilled 6-10 players or taller have we played this year and how many are we expected to play? I'm not sure I can think of one off the top of my head that I worried Brandan could not guard.

What has ODU's strength of schedule been thus far this season? If having a good record against that level of competition alone is what we should view as acceptable then they are right where they need to be.

As for how many 6'-10" players we are expected to play going forward ... that is a bit of a loaded question. If ODU is fortunate enough to make the NCAA Tournament then I would expect to see them encounter some for sure, especially if they make it beyond the first round which I'm sure we all hope that they would.

It's really kind of a Catch 22 isn't it? If a team like ODU is good enough to make it into games involving the better teams they will need them to match up with those taller players better. If on the other hand they are going to reside in the realm of CBI and Vegas 16 Tournaments then they are less likely to have those issues and what they have had recently will suffice.

No further comments about Pilavious?

I mean, the chances of facing a skilled 6-10 or higher guy that can dominate in the post is far less than the chances of facing one. There aren't many good ones throughout the entire college game. It wouldn't matter what our strength of schedule is unless we are facing Purdue every game. Going through the top 25 (expected tourney teams), there are very few there either.

Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

Pilavious has been discussed ad nauseam. He's listed at 6-6; some people claim he's 6-4. All I know is he's got some height on me and Im 6-3. He was brought over to develop and play the stretch 4 type position. Put him in the weight room, is he that much difference in pure size than Carver is right now? (6-4 or 6-5 and 220ish?) Carver, FWIW, is the teams best rebounder right now. What else is there to say?

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I mean, the chances of facing a skilled 6-10 or higher guy that can dominate in the post is far less than the chances of facing one. There aren't many good ones throughout the entire college game. It wouldn't matter what our strength of schedule is unless we are facing Purdue every game. Going through the top 25 (expected tourney teams), there are very few there either.

Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

Pilavious has been discussed ad nauseam. He's listed at 6-6; some people claim he's 6-4. All I know is he's got some height on me and Im 6-3. He was brought over to develop and play the stretch 4 type position. Put him in the weight room, is he that much difference in pure size than Carver is right now? (6-4 or 6-5 and 220ish?) Carver, FWIW, is the teams best rebounder right now. What else is there to say?

After last game, Alfis might be the team's best rebounder per 40....

(01-04-2018 03:19 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I mean, the chances of facing a skilled 6-10 or higher guy that can dominate in the post is far less than the chances of facing one. There aren't many good ones throughout the entire college game. It wouldn't matter what our strength of schedule is unless we are facing Purdue every game. Going through the top 25 (expected tourney teams), there are very few there either.

Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

Pilavious has been discussed ad nauseam. He's listed at 6-6; some people claim he's 6-4. All I know is he's got some height on me and Im 6-3. He was brought over to develop and play the stretch 4 type position. Put him in the weight room, is he that much difference in pure size than Carver is right now? (6-4 or 6-5 and 220ish?) Carver, FWIW, is the teams best rebounder right now. What else is there to say?

After last game, Alfis might be the team's best rebounder per 40....

He's still 2nd....to....Michael Heuitt Jr.! Alf is catching up since MH only had 1 rebound in 4 mins. Terrible!

(01-04-2018 03:19 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I mean, the chances of facing a skilled 6-10 or higher guy that can dominate in the post is far less than the chances of facing one. There aren't many good ones throughout the entire college game. It wouldn't matter what our strength of schedule is unless we are facing Purdue every game. Going through the top 25 (expected tourney teams), there are very few there either.

Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

Pilavious has been discussed ad nauseam. He's listed at 6-6; some people claim he's 6-4. All I know is he's got some height on me and Im 6-3. He was brought over to develop and play the stretch 4 type position. Put him in the weight room, is he that much difference in pure size than Carver is right now? (6-4 or 6-5 and 220ish?) Carver, FWIW, is the teams best rebounder right now. What else is there to say?

After last game, Alfis might be the team's best rebounder per 40....

Our skinny 6'-3" shooting guard - Heuitt - is in the running for that rebounding title too.

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

I'm not as familiar with the Villanova and Xavier rosters, but UVA currently has 6'-9", 6'-10", and 7'-0" on their roster so they are hardly small. Apparently their coach sees some value or need there.

(01-04-2018 03:35 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

I'm not as familiar with the Villanova and Xavier rosters, but UVA currently has 6'-9", 6'-10", and 7'-0" on their roster so they are hardly small. Apparently their coach sees some value or need there.

They are all basically role players. Who is 7 foot? Huff? He barely plays.

The only low post guy they really have is Salt and he plays like 20 mins and just sets screens. Very perimeter oriented unless Wilkins gets some putbacks, who is there ideal big man.

Plenty others...WVA (different style of play though), Witchita State, Texas Tech....

There are very few teams that are going to pound the rock in the post to a big guy. It's just not effective offense unless the big guy is extremely skilled. Teams would rather have guys that are better at defending the pick n roll, which is so much more common nowadays. Put in a 7 footer (outside of guys like Jackson and Ayton types) and teams will just put them in PNR and kill them from the 3 point line when the center has to drop to guard the basket.

(01-04-2018 03:46 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:35 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

I'm not as familiar with the Villanova and Xavier rosters, but UVA currently has 6'-9", 6'-10", and 7'-0" on their roster so they are hardly small. Apparently their coach sees some value or need there.

They are all basically role players. Who is 7 foot? Huff? He barely plays.

The only low post guy they really have is Salt and he plays like 20 mins and just sets screens. Very perimeter oriented unless Wilkins gets some putbacks, who is there ideal big man.

Screeeeeeeech!!! That's the sound of the goal post moving.

Your comment that I replied to was that teams like UVA don't worry about getting taller players (see darkened post from you above). I gave information to show that UVA does have those types of (taller) players on their current roster. Now you want to change the discussion to how many minutes they play or what type of game they play while in the game. None of that changes the fact that their coach recruited them to come to UVA because he felt they could help the team be successful.

Michael Hueitt is a role player who barely plays for ODU. Does that make him a bad player too?

Well, if you want to argue against UVA, who is a perimeter team who's favorite big man is Wilkins, then sobeit. They do have Jack Salt that plays 20 mins. There are plenty of other teams that do not have players like you describe and a lot more at our level.

Jack Salt is a junior (maybe even a redshirt junior?). No reason to compare him to a true freshman.

(01-04-2018 03:24 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:19 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I mean, the chances of facing a skilled 6-10 or higher guy that can dominate in the post is far less than the chances of facing one. There aren't many good ones throughout the entire college game. It wouldn't matter what our strength of schedule is unless we are facing Purdue every game. Going through the top 25 (expected tourney teams), there are very few there either.

Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

Pilavious has been discussed ad nauseam. He's listed at 6-6; some people claim he's 6-4. All I know is he's got some height on me and Im 6-3. He was brought over to develop and play the stretch 4 type position. Put him in the weight room, is he that much difference in pure size than Carver is right now? (6-4 or 6-5 and 220ish?) Carver, FWIW, is the teams best rebounder right now. What else is there to say?

After last game, Alfis might be the team's best rebounder per 40....

He's still 2nd....to....Michael Heuitt Jr.! Alf is catching up since MH only had 1 rebound in 4 mins. Terrible!

Hueitt has a huge wing span. Seems like I read something like 6'10" last year.

(01-04-2018 04:40 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Well, if you want to argue against UVA, who is a perimeter team who's favorite big man is Wilkins, then sobeit. They do have Jack Salt that plays 20 mins. There are plenty of other teams that do not have players like you describe and a lot more at our level.

Jack Salt is a junior (maybe even a redshirt junior?). No reason to compare him to a true freshman.

Wasn't arguing either for or against UVA. Just pointing out the fallacy in your implication that UVA doesn't care about recruiting size (height) when their current roster has size on it.

Yes, there are a lot of teams that do not have players like an Alex Laughton, Gerald Lee, Chris Cooper, or Frank Hassell on them. Currently I am thankful that we have Porter the rest of this season and hopefully next as well.

(01-04-2018 05:57 PM)JJMonarch Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:24 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:19 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(01-04-2018 03:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I mean, the chances of facing a skilled 6-10 or higher guy that can dominate in the post is far less than the chances of facing one. There aren't many good ones throughout the entire college game. It wouldn't matter what our strength of schedule is unless we are facing Purdue every game. Going through the top 25 (expected tourney teams), there are very few there either.

Do teams like Villanova worry about getting taller players? UVA, Xavier, etc?

Pilavious has been discussed ad nauseam. He's listed at 6-6; some people claim he's 6-4. All I know is he's got some height on me and Im 6-3. He was brought over to develop and play the stretch 4 type position. Put him in the weight room, is he that much difference in pure size than Carver is right now? (6-4 or 6-5 and 220ish?) Carver, FWIW, is the teams best rebounder right now. What else is there to say?

After last game, Alfis might be the team's best rebounder per 40....

He's still 2nd....to....Michael Heuitt Jr.! Alf is catching up since MH only had 1 rebound in 4 mins. Terrible!

Hueitt has a huge wing span. Seems like I read something like 6'10" last year.

It would be nice if his height was 6'10". He would be like a Magic Johnson type shooting guard and could easily get his shot off over the other guards. Imagine all of the rebounds he would be getting then!