The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Plus, if you read some of the comments from the recruits, we have been working on these guys for awhile now, building relationships. Starting to pay off.

(10-30-2017 06:35 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(10-29-2017 10:52 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-29-2017 10:08 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(10-29-2017 07:28 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Basketball is virtually positionless. NO need for a “true center”.

Other than a center, what other positions does a team not need to to have on it in your world to play positionless basketball? You realize we aren't talking about games down at the YMCA right?

Uhh positionless would imply no traditinal 1-5 positions..... it is how a lot of teams are moving once they realize teams abuse true centeds of the past. They need someone that can bring ball up court and a couple guys that can rebound.

Our two “frontcourt” players this year will be 6-7 and 6-5 at times.

Yes and we will be woefully undersized. I would also say that the PG (1) is a true defined position. The Center position does have a variance depending on the offense you run. True Centers (5) are back to the basket entry pass receiver, that can rebound, defend around the basket to the foul line, and can score in the paint are what several programs want.

Which teams will we place this year that we will be undersized and abused down low against?

(10-30-2017 06:39 AM)odu09 Wrote:  Serious question: is this sudden uptick in recruiting due to having a practice facility?

Maybe. Long term recruiting as well. For some reason a lot of kids commit to the team that first started recruting them.

(10-30-2017 06:39 AM)odu09 Wrote:  Serious question: is this sudden uptick in recruiting due to having a practice facility?

I think it helps, it can't hurt. Things like the new dining hall doesn't hurt either. Most of the recruits that committed in the 2018 class, we been on for a while. But when it comes down to committing, a recruit is looking at many pros and cons. Things like the relationship with the coaching staff, playing time available, can the staff help develop them to the next level, the style of play, even the types of studies offered, but the school's commitment is huge.

This class is solid with two 3* players and a few bigs. Most of this class can stretch the floor with a mid range game, with the ability to put the ball on the floor. Teams won't be able to pack in on us. I see a line-up in a couple years with of four players 6-7 or bigger on the floor. I can't member having this many bigs coming in who have the ball skills this class has.

(10-30-2017 07:44 AM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  

(10-30-2017 06:39 AM)odu09 Wrote:  Serious question: is this sudden uptick in recruiting due to having a practice facility?

I think it helps, it can't hurt. Things like the new dining hall doesn't hurt either. Most of the recruits that committed in the 2018 class, we been on for a while. But when it comes down to committing, a recruit is looking at many pros and cons. Things like the relationship with the coaching staff, playing time available, can the staff help develop them to the next level, the style of play, even the types of studies offered, but the school's commitment is huge.

This class is solid with two 3* players and a few bigs. Most of this class can stretch the floor with a mid range game, with the ability to put the ball on the floor. Teams won't be able to pack in on us. I see a line-up in a couple years with of four players 6-7 or bigger on the floor. I can't member having this many bigs coming in who have the ball skills this class has.

I think it helps in a variety of ways and is the preferred big guy from this staff. Guys that can move and defend the pick and roll on defense. Guys that can spread the floor and make the motion offense more effective. Really helps the high low post action if they are good passers.

Practice facility helps, definitely. My theory, which the haters will disavow, is that if you coach at, say, AU, you tailor your recruiting to kids that can play at that level. That leaves another level or 2 or 3 of kids you figure you have no chance to get so you don't pursue the kid, maybe his HS and AAU coach, etc. At that level you can't afford to waste resources. So when you move up a level, there is a new level of kid to recruit, maybe you shoot a bit higher than before, and you start building new relationships. Takes time. Interesting to note that Hueitt said ODU had recruited him, for 3 years. I don't know that we would have gotten him if we'd started his junior or senior year of HS. Is this a full-proof theory? Of course not. Was JJ's last year at AU 10-20? Yes, it was, so maybe he struck out on whoever his main targets were the previous couple of years. I don't know, you don't know. What seems sure is that we're moving back in the right direction.

(10-30-2017 06:35 AM)monarx Wrote:  Alex L and Gerald L weren't true centers and they worked out fine.

Gee L was more of a true 5 vs Alex. Gee L caught the ball in the post and the offense ran through him a lot.

(10-30-2017 08:54 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(10-30-2017 06:35 AM)monarx Wrote:  Alex L and Gerald L weren't true centers and they worked out fine.

Gee L was more of a true 5 vs Alex. Gee L caught the ball in the post and the offense ran through him a lot.

Agree 100%. It's easy to think of Lee as more of a 4 because he could shoot so well but his length and post up game made him a true center. Our offense ran through him in the low post.

(10-30-2017 06:35 AM)monarx Wrote:  Alex L and Gerald L weren't true centers and they worked out fine.

A true center to me is one that has two qualities -

(A) Big enough and skilled enough to effectively defend a big opposing center one on one in the low post.

(B) Big enough and skilled enough to effectively score in the low post one on one against the same center.

Alex L and Gerald L checked both of those boxes. The fact that both could also score from outside or sometimes guard a player further away from the basket were pluses. Frank H and Mark W are very successful examples of former ODU centers that checked both of those boxes, but didn't have the more rounded games that Alex L and Gerald L did.

They both played PG at times too! :)

We get Kalu Ezikpe.

(10-30-2017 11:52 AM)odu83alumni Wrote:  We get Kalu Ezikpe.

Reported like 3 or 4 pages ago....

Pronunciation, please???? Kalu Ezikpe!

(10-30-2017 01:26 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  Pronunciation, please???? Kalu Ezikpe!

Can't wait for Jack to try that one. Lol

This is my concession post because I have been hard on Jeff Jones & staff on their inability to recruit quality big men. They have put together a really nice class this year. I am glad they shut me up.

(10-30-2017 01:26 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  Pronunciation, please???? Kalu Ezikpe!

I am guessing: e - ZICK - pee

(10-30-2017 03:32 PM)odufansam Wrote:  This is my concession post because I have been hard on Jeff Jones & staff on their inability to recruit quality big men. They have put together a really nice class this year. I am glad they shut me up.

Most everyone has been hard on the MBB staff regarding recruiting and deservedly so. Last years class and this years class seems on paper to be better. Time will tell but after last years class many have backed off of their criticism of JJ and this staffs recruiting.

(10-30-2017 03:32 PM)odufansam Wrote:  This is my concession post because I have been hard on Jeff Jones & staff on their inability to recruit quality big men. They have put together a really nice class this year. I am glad they shut me up.

Sent from my SM-N920V using CSNbbs mobile app

What I appreciate about this coaching staff is the effort they have put into recruiting. Even though thy seemed to be struggling the past few years to sign some high school stars we would like to have seen wearing ODU blue, there was never any question they were working extremely hard to bring in players that would help us. They have had all sorts of players to come in for a visit and it looks like that hard work is beginning to pay off now. And when we did seem to miss our top targets Jones just didn't settle for a body. I think about guys like Ebondo, Arledge early on that contributed to our success. Whether we are happy or not with the results it's fair to say this coaching staff has left no stone unturned.

(10-30-2017 03:49 PM)CalODUFan Wrote:  

(10-30-2017 01:26 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  Pronunciation, please???? Kalu Ezikpe!

I am guessing: e - ZICK - pee

My guess would just change the ending to pay. E-zick-pay.