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

Three Observations
1) For perhaps the first time all year, the Monarchs were outplayed from an energy standpoint. For whatever reason, the team never looked like they were able to muster the energy we are used to seeing them play with. This is a team that must have that energy in order to compete, and without it, they were simply handled from the tip. While offense continues to be a concern, in this writer's opinion, the game was lost on the defensive end. The effort and focus simply weren't there.

2) Especially with Brandan Stith's injury, this is a team that will go as the four sophomores go (BJ, Caver, Talley, and Porter). Porter was saddled with foul trouble early and Caver probably had his worst game of the year. While this team needs Caver to occasionally knock down shots from behind the arc, I'm not sure having him take 8 three-pointers per game is a successful strategy going forward.

3) The Monarchs are not going to win many games when they turn the ball over 15 times. They are simply not efficient enough on offense to give away 15 possessions per game. And, when they do turn it over, it better be of the deadball kind, which at least allows them to set the defense. 20 points off turnovers is a recipe for disaster for this team. Frankly, it's a bit surprising that it was only a 12 point margin in the end.

Two questions

1) Now what? Only one game this week, how will the Monarchs respond? Charlotte is a team of guards with some offensive firepower, but lacks size and doesn't defend well. If the Monarchs want a first round bye in Birmingham, this is the type of game they need to win.

2) When does Brandan come back? There is some hope that he may be practicing by the end of the week, but at point will he be good enough to return, and when he does, at what point will he be back to normal?

One prediction

1) Since Jones has been the coach, the team has always seemed to respond well after tough losses. I expect the Monarchs to be able to find a way to take care of business against the 49ers, with or without Brandan. It won't be easy, but if the Monarchs can rediscover their toughness, I think they will out-tough Charlotte and come away with an important road win.

**Bonus prediction: I predict I will eat more than $5 worth of breakfast tomorrow and that the bacon will not be as crispy as Mac likes it.

You are absolutely right about the defense, that is where the game was lost. It was the worst defensive performance of the year by a longshot. LT shot 57% overall (next highest was 48%), they shot 79% from 3, and shot 25 free throws (making 18). They scored 75 points in 66 possessions and even turned the ball over 15 times as well. 1.14 points per possession that game with the next highest being 1.06 (vs. Marshall). eFG% of 65%....you cant win vs. that with a good offense.

Offensively, we did have a 20% turnover rate, which is second highest on the year. Points per possession of 0.95, which is about our average and middle of the pack in terms of how our season has gone. At the very least, the offense was good enough to make the game interesting. Every game that we play at a 65 or greater pace, we turn the ball over too much. (only time turning it over less than 15% of the time at that pace was vs. LSU)

LT is way better than their RPI shows them, but that is their fault due to scheduling. Charlotte, OTOH, has zero top 150 wins. Best win RPI wise was vs. Elon (176) Pretty much blown out vs. anyone top 150. We have to really guard the 3 point line vs. them. Even shooting 3s at a high clip, they aren't a great offense. They can't rebound. Their defense is awful. I think we will be favored and have a good shot at winning.

You are right about everything you posted Coach. That was just a bad performance from the opening tip. I sure hope we get Stith back for practice on Thursday. You are also correct about the flipping limp,greasy bacon. Put some fire to those puppies.

1. Without Branden in the middle, ODU is very susceptible to dribble-drive penetration. Taylor is already foul-prone, mostly due to moving screen violations and while Porter can block shots, he's does not physically intimidate opponents or move their bigs off the boards.

2. ODU is an inefficient offensive team and must make up for it by creating extra possessions for itself and/or limiting opponents from easy points (off TOs, second chance and FTs). Which leads to...

3. LT really didn't focus its D on the primary shooter...the "help" defenders all over-played the passing lanes or positioned themselves for RBs. Thus Talley and BJ had little trouble getting their shots off (actually Caver as well, but he missed all but one) while players that passed up shots (Taylor, Vassor, Carver and Baker) or tried to make the extra pass (primarily Caver, but the non-shooters as well) played right into their hands. For example, one at least two occassions, Caver drove, looked off the D and then tried a no-look pass- right into the waiting LT defender. Caver was visibly frustrated the entire game (throw in the missed shots and Bracey making him look like a statue on defense).

(01-17-2017 02:58 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  1. Without Branden in the middle, ODU is very susceptible to dribble-drive penetration. Taylor is already foul-prone, mostly due to moving screen violations and while Porter can block shots, he's does not physically intimidate opponents or move their bigs off the boards.

2. ODU is an inefficient offensive team and must make up for it by creating extra possessions for itself and/or limiting opponents from easy points (off TOs, second chance and FTs). Which leads to...

3. LT really didn't focus its D on the primary shooter...the "help" defenders all over-played the passing lanes or positioned themselves for RBs. Thus Talley and BJ had little trouble getting their shots off (actually Caver as well, but he missed all but one) while players that passed up shots (Taylor, Vassor, Carver and Baker) or tried to make the extra pass (primarily Caver, but the non-shooters as well) played right into their hands. For example, one at least two occassions, Caver drove, looked off the D and then tried a no-look pass- right into the waiting LT defender. Caver was visibly frustrated the entire game (throw in the missed shots and Bracey making him look like a statue on defense).

That is a really interesting take, and seemingly a really good way to defend us. You know we are going to pass the ball a thousand times, and don't really have to worry about anyone beating you from 3, so why not lay back in the passing lanes and look for opportunities to create turnovers, clog up the middle, and keep guards in better position to create rebounds. I think a lot of us have discussed how teams sag on us, but the ability that gives a team to try to cut off passing lanes hadn't really occurred to me.

(01-17-2017 02:58 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  1. Without Branden in the middle, ODU is very susceptible to dribble-drive penetration. Taylor is already foul-prone, mostly due to moving screen violations and while Porter can block shots, he's does not physically intimidate opponents or move their bigs off the boards.

2. ODU is an inefficient offensive team and must make up for it by creating extra possessions for itself and/or limiting opponents from easy points (off TOs, second chance and FTs). Which leads to...

3. LT really didn't focus its D on the primary shooter...the "help" defenders all over-played the passing lanes or positioned themselves for RBs. Thus Talley and BJ had little trouble getting their shots off (actually Caver as well, but he missed all but one) while players that passed up shots (Taylor, Vassor, Carver and Baker) or tried to make the extra pass (primarily Caver, but the non-shooters as well) played right into their hands. For example, one at least two occassions, Caver drove, looked off the D and then tried a no-look pass- right into the waiting LT defender. Caver was visibly frustrated the entire game (throw in the missed shots and Bracey making him look like a statue on defense).

Interesting take.....Strange that we didn't shoot more 3s outside of Caver (1-8). Baker went 2-4 and BJ went 2-2. If teams do sag off, Baker needs to be willing to take open 3s (and make them).

Defense was oddly the much bigger issue. Interesting to see how they come out vs. Marshall; there has been a clear deterioration in defensive performance without Brandan.

Watching this game made my eyes hurt

Fortunately i was too drunk by the second half to care.

(01-17-2017 04:38 PM)ODU804 Wrote:  Fortunately i was too drunk by the second half to care.

My kinda guy (or lady?) right here!

I know this may be a stupid question, but how does a team come out flat, as admitted to by Taley in the post game interview? Lack of energy as Coach states. The whole team? I realize it may be hard to be pumped up all the time for each and every game, but doesn't the joy of playing basketball give you a high, whereby you always come out ready to play? I know these kids are human and young, but if I had the opportunity to play college ball, I would be ready to kick a$$ every opportunity given to me. Especially against a worthy opponent like La Tech with second place on the line. I just don't get it..... Anyone?
I have said from day one, this team lacks leadership. Someone, like Freeman from last year, to step up and say, guys, let's go and lead by example. No one on this team is capable of leading or hasn't shown it yet. I doubt it's there, which is a shame. Until a player steps up, I fear more games like last Saturday and others will continue to happen. Hope I'm wrong, but we've seen a whole boat load of them this season already .
On to Saturday and Charlotte. I will be there.... Go Monarchs!

Worst part for me is Jeff jones literally did an interview with the Pilot just before the southern miss game saying we had "turned a corner".

What do we do? Come out and score 54 and barely beat one of the absolute worst teams in the country and then get blasted at home scoring in the 50's against a 200+ rpi team.

Yeah Jeff, we've REALLY turned a corner.

I think JB and Denzell are supposed to be the team's leaders since they are the captains. JB has looked flat for the last couple of games - he had a similiar stretch last season that lasted a while. He is taking less shots and now his passes aren't as great as they could be. I hope everything with him is alright in his head and in his personal life.

Denzell not being on the court was just due to early foul trouble. Having him and Porter get fouls early is a sure way to allow for easy penetration from the other team while Brandan is out.

I realize Charlotte's record isn't great, but I still think they are better than the record shows. I believe our guys need to bring their A game if they want to come out of there with a W.

We need our A game, EVERY game. Hope we start that trend this coming Saturday.