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

I found this one to be difficult, too. Maybe these guys are exactly who we thought they were.

Three Observations
1) The Monarch defense struggled again against dribble penetration. Maybe it's Stith's injury, maybe it's Caver's minutes played, or maybe it's a combination of a bunch of things, but the defense is not playing nearly at the level it had early in the year. A strong finish to the season might very well depend on the success of this team to find its defensive groove again.

2) Ahmad Caver continues to play at a really high level. 16 points (including some big shots down the stretch), 6 assists, and only 1 turnover. One has to be concerned about Caver logging 35+ minutes on a nightly basis, but to his credit, the sophomore PG continues to deliver.

3) Perhaps the criticism that Jeff Jones refuses to change is unwarranted. The Monarchs showed numerous defensive looks (M2M, Press, 3-2, 1-3-1). Offensively, Jones and the Monarchs did what they could to push the pace (despite two awful fast break possessions). FIU was content to slow the game and pound the ball into the floor, but Jones was constantly imploring the Monarchs to push the pace when they could. Lastly, despite what many on here believe, he has been willing to pull his seniors at crucial times, in order to get some more offense from the younger guys. It seems to me, at least, that the coaches are doing whatever they have to do, including being flexible with the game plans, in order to find some success.

Two questions
1) Will Caver's legs be fresh enough down the stretch? Clearly, the Monarchs are depending on him for scoring, directing the offense, and look to him as one of the better perimeter defenders. That's a big ask for 35-37 minutes per night.

2) Will this team be focused against FAU? With a HUGE road trip on the horizon, will this young team understand that the road trip is only huge, if they take care of business against the Owls on their home floor? It's easy on a message board to say "be focused," but the minds of 20-year-olds are tricky things.

One Prediction
1) Those hoping for a blowout against a bad team will likely be disappointed. I expect the game to be close for most of it, with the Monarchs pulling it out with late free throws to win by 8. However, my real prediction is that this fan, and a few others, will be daydreaming during the alumni introductions of "what would this team be like if we had him on this roster!?"

1) ODU looks much more confident and efficient when Talley and Caver lead the offense...65.2% second half (Talley + Caver 8-11 FG, 17 pts) vs 37% first half (Talley + Caver 2-9 FG, 7 pts).

2) ODU got 19 pts, 11 RBs and 3 blocks from the 5. Brandan's PT will increase as the ankle allows, but ODU needs that level of production to continue...so, will Porter continue to be productive in reduced, reserve minutes or should he start and ODU bring both Brandan and Talley off the bench as the "shock" team.

3) While FIU did in fact falter in the end game, ODU did not. Rather, ODU stuck to script, neither looking for the refs to award FTs on forced drives or shooting quick 3s to try to gain separation. Maturity only comes through patience and experience...we'll see how far ODU has progressed next week.

It really doesnt matter but it still bothers me that Talley and Brandan are coming off the bench. I understand why, but just start your best players and make early rotations if you want.

It wouldnt be for long stretches, but Im curious to see how a lineup of Caver/Haynes/Talley/Carver/Stith would do with more of a attempt at getting out in transition.

Why Carver? I can see all the others, but Carver has shown 0 offense. Not sure who else though.

(02-04-2017 10:32 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  Why Carver? I can see all the others, but Carver has shown 0 offense. Not sure who else though.

Porter

(02-04-2017 10:32 AM)Old Dominion Wrote:  Why Carver? I can see all the others, but Carver has shown 0 offense. Not sure who else though.

Agree, I can see the others but would prefer that coach play Kah over Carver at this point. I would like to see Porter and Stith together with Stith, Talley, and Caver. That lineup looks intriguing but we would probably have to play zone with the two bigs playing together.

Because Carver can move in transition a bit. Can open up the court a little on offense. Can defende bigger guys on defense.

Whenever the idea of playing Stith and Porter together comes up, someone tries to shoot it down by saying we would have matchup problems, well so would the other team. That's where coaching comes in. You maximize your advantage and minimize your disadvantage (I'm not even sure there would be a huge defensive problem with both playing). Regardless, if they are so small at the 4 the Brandan or Trey can't defend, then good luck to them stopping us in the post.

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What advantage would we have on offense with Brandan and Porter? Stith isnt a scorer except putbacks or drive and dish and Porter is pretty soft inside. Im not sure what disadvantage it would put on the opposing defense?

The kind of advantage we had with out best front court ever... Frank and Lee. The kind of advantage that every team that has ever played a true 4 and true 5 has had. We have two players that can score and rebound in the post against a team that (because we are assuming their 4 is smaller and impossible for Brandan or Trey to guard) is incapable of defending one of our bigs. This is basketball 101. Oh and we also have the advantage of having our 5 best players on the floor.

We also have the flexibility go small and move Talley to the 4 when the matchups don't work in our favor. The only scenario where we have no advantage is yours, where we put an end of the bench guy on the floor just because he fits your very specific size and mobility requirements.

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(02-04-2017 03:27 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  The kind of advantage we had with out best front court ever... Frank and Lee. The kind of advantage that every team that has ever played a true 4 and true 5 has had. We have two players that can score and rebound in the post against a team that (because we are assuming their 4 is smaller and impossible for Brandan or Trey to guard) is incapable of defending one of our bigs. This is basketball 101. Oh and we also have the advantage of having our 5 best players on the floor.

We also have the flexibility go small and move Talley to the 4 when the matchups don't work in our favor. The only scenario where we have no advantage is yours, where we put an end of the bench guy on the floor just because he fits your very specific size and mobility requirements.

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Agree...Absolutely!!!!

Give me Odell Hodge and Petey Sessoms as the best front court in ODU history. Not to take anything away from your point though!

http://pilotonline.com/sports/three-ex-o...42649.html

Petey wasn't a 4, was he? Thought he played the three.

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(02-04-2017 04:25 PM)mac Wrote:  Give me Odell Hodge and Petey Sessoms as the best front court in ODU history. Not to take anything away from your point though!

http://pilotonline.com/sports/three-ex-o...42649.html

I love you, man!

(02-04-2017 04:25 PM)mac Wrote:  Give me Odell Hodge and Petey Sessoms as the best front court in ODU history. Not to take anything away from your point though!

http://pilotonline.com/sports/three-ex-o...42649.html

Throw in Mario Mullen for good measure. Those were the days.

(02-04-2017 03:27 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  The kind of advantage we had with out best front court ever... Frank and Lee. The kind of advantage that every team that has ever played a true 4 and true 5 has had. We have two players that can score and rebound in the post against a team that (because we are assuming their 4 is smaller and impossible for Brandan or Trey to guard) is incapable of defending one of our bigs. This is basketball 101. Oh and we also have the advantage of having our 5 best players on the floor.

We also have the flexibility go small and move Talley to the 4 when the matchups don't work in our favor. The only scenario where we have no advantage is yours, where we put an end of the bench guy on the floor just because he fits your very specific size and mobility requirements.

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Frank and Lee were great players that you could throw the ball down low and they could score. Neither Porter or Stith can really do this well.

I disagree that Porter is better than Taylor. But it depends on matchup and our players on court at the time. Porter is better offensively for sure.

(02-04-2017 06:34 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(02-04-2017 03:27 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  The kind of advantage we had with out best front court ever... Frank and Lee. The kind of advantage that every team that has ever played a true 4 and true 5 has had. We have two players that can score and rebound in the post against a team that (because we are assuming their 4 is smaller and impossible for Brandan or Trey to guard) is incapable of defending one of our bigs. This is basketball 101. Oh and we also have the advantage of having our 5 best players on the floor.

We also have the flexibility go small and move Talley to the 4 when the matchups don't work in our favor. The only scenario where we have no advantage is yours, where we put an end of the bench guy on the floor just because he fits your very specific size and mobility requirements.

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Frank and Lee were great players that you could throw the ball down low and they could score. Neither Porter or Stith can really do this well.

I disagree that Porter is better than Taylor. But it depends on matchup and our players on court at the time. Porter is better offensively for sure.

Pivoting the argument as usual? The discussion was about next year.

This year, I have no problem starting Denzel, but I wouldn't be afraid to play Stith and Porter together in select rotations, or when something needs to change.


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When did someone talk about next year?

(02-04-2017 06:57 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  When did someone talk about next year?

My bad. Misread earlier post.

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