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

Well, much of this has been covered, but here's what I got.

3 Observations
1) My eyes doth deceive me: When looking at the box score and charting the game, there were a number of things that really surprised me. The game was played to a 60 possession pace. This has been discussed ad nauseum in the other thread, but the aggression with which the Monarchs played really made the game feel faster than it was. Next, Trey Porter only played 9 minutes. 5-5, 10 points was an effective 9 minutes, for sure. The lineup of Caver, BJ, Talley, Brandan, and Trey only played one minute together. We only scored 4 fast break points (although I would have counted Jordan's early three as transition points as well). The Monarchs only played two possessions of zone defense (one in the first half that resulted in a layup for UAB, and one in the 2nd half that caused UAB to take a bad shot after a timeout). The lineup that was the most effective was Ahmad, BJ, Zoran, Carver, and Brandan. They really put the game away. All of these things really surprised me when I broke down the tape.

2) Hitting early shots gave our guys confidence. We hit 3 three pointers in the first four minutes, which forced UAB into a timeout before the media timeout. It seemed that unlike recent play, the guys just got rolling and each of them felt confident when they had the rock. Confidence goes a long way in this game and we had it on Saturday night.

3) The energy was just different than it has been. In particular, the bench was really into the game. For my money, our bench has had very little energy in most games. Saturday night, they were into it. I noticed that at around the 9 minute mark of the first half, there was even a "de-fense" chant coming from the bench. I don't think I've seen that all year. While it's hard to imagine that a bench chant translates to better play on the court, I do think the energy can be transferred.

Two Questions

1) What does this mean? Was it an anomaly? Surely, the Monarchs aren't going to shoot 60% in each game, but will they be able to play with that kind of aggression going forward? To me, the aggression and energy is key to the success. The shooting percentage will regress to the mean, but the energy doesn't have to.

2) Was Saturday night the coming out party for Aaron Carver or just a blip on the radar? We probably can't count on him for 6 points every night, but can he be effective in a few minutes per game and willing to knock down that midrange shot when defenders are really laying off him to guard the other post? If he can give the Monarchs 5-10 effective minutes, it will open up a variety of lineups Jones can use.

One Prediction

1) Caver, BJ, and Porter seem to be getting better and better. Talley, when his head in the game, is a really tough matchup for teams in our league. As Brandan gets healthy, we know what he is capable of. I don't know what the rest of the season holds, but I think we get some payback on Saturday night.

Quote:The lineup that was the most effective was Ahmad, BJ, Zoran, Carver, and Brandan.

Coach, what does AC have to do going forward to get on a first name basis with you?

Great writeup as usual, really appreciate it.

Another thing I noticed when I watched the replay of the game, and this is obvious, but for those who didn't watch - Caver was truly lights out. He was knocking down shots a few steps behind the 3 point line, his release seemed super quick. Most of them were dribble step back shots too, I think. It was really impressive.

Another thing, here are BJ's point totals for the last 13 games. Yes, 13. Here we go:
18, 8, 21, 22, 14, 17, 7, 12, 10, 15, 8, 17, 16. That's an average of 14 points per game, an amount most of us would agree we wanted to see from him in the preseason. I think the rust is dusting off. His floor is 7 points, I'll take it.

I feel bad for our seniors, and they are captains, but it seems like we do best when they aren't in the game. Baker's shot is just as inconsistent as last year. BJ is a much bigger offensive threat, and while giving up some defense to have him in, it seems worth it.

(02-14-2017 07:25 AM)odu09 Wrote:  Coach, what does AC have to do going forward to get on a first name basis with you?

If he gets to double digits in a game, I'll write his first name.

My additions:

1). Caver played the most complete game at PG of the season and perhaps in several seasons for ODU. It was obvious early that he was "in the zone"...a great feeling where you can stare down your defender knowing you can score at will. As UAB extended its D to account for the threat, Caver didn't play selfish, but rather exploited the change for positive effect...Caver probably could have gone for 30+ in a win, but his play changed the entire team's psyche.

2). The shout out for Carver...for taking the available shots. The D played him loosely...why not, he usually passes on the available opportunities (1-16 FG will do that). This is Taylor's most obvious fault, by repeatedly refusing to take the scoring opportunity options, his defender is free to help on defense or get in RB position (Taylor's positive is that he exploits this freedom to sneak inside for ORBs).

3). Not enough acclaim for BJ's 10 RBs. UAB mauls opponents inside and they were causing considerable attrition on ODU (Carver out, Taylor 4 fouls and Porter 3 fouls in 9 mins). Without BJ securing those RBs, UAB gets additional scoring opprtunities (if not statistical possessions) and even more fouls on our bigs...relying on Vassor or Kah inside down the stretch would not have been pretty.

(02-14-2017 08:56 AM)bigblue78 Wrote:  My additions:

1). Caver played the most complete game at PG of the season and perhaps in several seasons for ODU. It was obvious early that he was "in the zone"...a great feeling where you can stare down your defender knowing you can score at will. As UAB extended its D to account for the threat, Caver didn't play selfish, but rather exploited the change for positive effect...Caver probably could have gone for 30+ in a win, but his play changed the entire team's psyche.

2). The shout out for Carver...for taking the available shots. The D played him loosely...why not, he usually passes on the available opportunities (1-16 FG will do that). This is Taylor's most obvious fault, by repeatedly refusing to take the scoring opportunity options, his defender is free to help on defense or get in RB position (Taylor's positive is that he exploits this freedom to sneak inside for ORBs).

3). Not enough acclaim for BJ's 10 RBs. UAB mauls opponents inside and they were causing considerable attrition on ODU (Carver out, Taylor 4 fouls and Porter 3 fouls in 9 mins). Without BJ securing those RBs, UAB gets additional scoring opprtunities (if not statistical possessions) and even more fouls on our bigs...relying on Vassor or Kah inside down the stretch would not have been pretty.

You're absolutely right. I actually meant to include this in my writeup, and not just about BJ, but Ahmad's 5 rebounds were also big. If you can get 15 rebounds from those guys, basically playing at the guard position, that's a huge lift.

Thanks you two for your usual insightful analysis, really appreciate it.
Caver has really been playing great(keep practicing those foul shots) and BJ Stith has looked really fine for weeks now. Carver I liked since I read his blog he did back at prep school. That kid has a great head on those shoulders!

Coach and 78, a question for next year. With both these guards coming on, and Green becoming available, do you think we redshirt Goodwin next year? Heiutt seems too good to hold back.

I like AC - old school baby!
That's what the coaches and players call him.
It's probably what his dad - The Original AC - calls him.

(02-14-2017 10:53 AM)mac Wrote:  Thanks you two for your usual insightful analysis, really appreciate it.
Caver has really been playing great(keep practicing those foul shots) and BJ Stith has looked really fine for weeks now. Carver I liked since I read his blog he did back at prep school. That kid has a great head on those shoulders!

Coach and 78, a question for next year. With both these guards coming on, and Green becoming available, do you think we redshirt Goodwin next year? Heiutt seems too good to hold back.

It was making 3s that forced UAB to extend the D, which then allowed ODU many more options for penetration (dribble and pass) and open mid-range shots. WE lose Baker as an option next year and while Caver has hit in spurts, his present shot mechanics lead me to believe he'll be an inconsistent perimeter shooter. BJ and Talley are also limited in range. There's need for at least one of the recruits (or Green) to fill the role of keeping defenses extended or ODU will continue to be a plodding, often frustrated (and boring) team on the floor.

Is Green supposed to be a good 3 pt shooter? I always tend to forget about the guys who are RS'ing during the season.

(02-14-2017 10:53 AM)mac Wrote:  Thanks you two for your usual insightful analysis, really appreciate it.
Caver has really been playing great(keep practicing those foul shots) and BJ Stith has looked really fine for weeks now. Carver I liked since I read his blog he did back at prep school. That kid has a great head on those shoulders!

Coach and 78, a question for next year. With both these guards coming on, and Green becoming available, do you think we redshirt Goodwin next year? Heiutt seems too good to hold back.

I know it wasn't my question but I'll take a simple stab - I think whoever learns the defense the best would get the start over the other. We are losing Baker who is one of our best defenders, so that will be the void to fill. This is assuming both Splash Bros can shoot and still get open to make a shot at the collegiate level.

(02-14-2017 12:04 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 10:53 AM)mac Wrote:  Thanks you two for your usual insightful analysis, really appreciate it.
Caver has really been playing great(keep practicing those foul shots) and BJ Stith has looked really fine for weeks now. Carver I liked since I read his blog he did back at prep school. That kid has a great head on those shoulders!

Coach and 78, a question for next year. With both these guards coming on, and Green becoming available, do you think we redshirt Goodwin next year? Heiutt seems too good to hold back.

I know it wasn't my question but I'll take a simple stab - I think whoever learns the defense the best would get the start over the other. We are losing Baker who is one of our best defenders, so that will be the void to fill. This is assuming both Splash Bros can shoot and still get open to make a shot at the collegiate level.

Isn't Godwin more of a small forward? With Talley and BJ ahead of him, I would think he would most likely redshirt unless he is simply too good to do so.

Redshirt? Before one game against UAB, he and Hueitt were the Saviors and the only chance of us being competitive next season.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

UAB? Caver and Stith have both looked better and better every game for weeks now.
They will he even better next year. The film I've seen of the North Carolina kid looks like he can come in and play right away with that shooting stroke.Caver, Green and Stith is a great nucleus and add one more, poof , will we ever lose again! Ps, Isn't Godwin a guard?

(02-14-2017 12:34 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  Redshirt? Before one game against UAB, he and Hueitt were the Saviors and the only chance of us being competitive next season.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Who said this?

(02-14-2017 12:08 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 12:04 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 10:53 AM)mac Wrote:  Thanks you two for your usual insightful analysis, really appreciate it.
Caver has really been playing great(keep practicing those foul shots) and BJ Stith has looked really fine for weeks now. Carver I liked since I read his blog he did back at prep school. That kid has a great head on those shoulders!

Coach and 78, a question for next year. With both these guards coming on, and Green becoming available, do you think we redshirt Goodwin next year? Heiutt seems too good to hold back.

I know it wasn't my question but I'll take a simple stab - I think whoever learns the defense the best would get the start over the other. We are losing Baker who is one of our best defenders, so that will be the void to fill. This is assuming both Splash Bros can shoot and still get open to make a shot at the collegiate level.

Isn't Godwin more of a small forward? With Talley and BJ ahead of him, I would think he would most likely redshirt unless he is simply too good to do so.

I thought he was coming in as a SG, but I suppose we won't really know where he goes until he's on the court.

(02-14-2017 12:50 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 12:34 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  Redshirt? Before one game against UAB, he and Hueitt were the Saviors and the only chance of us being competitive next season.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Who said this?

Pretty much the entire board.

(02-14-2017 01:42 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 12:50 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 12:34 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  Redshirt? Before one game against UAB, he and Hueitt were the Saviors and the only chance of us being competitive next season.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Who said this?

Pretty much the entire board.

I thought the tone surrounding this was if JJ can't field a good team with the incoming talent then the seat is scorching hot.

Coach, in your prediction, you included Porter as one of the players who is improving. I agree, but I really am not enough of a round ball guy to expound on that very eloquently. Could you take a few minutes the talk to what you saw against UAB and in any previous games that leads you to this conclusion? As a general comment, he appears to me to emerging as a real force for this team and will be vital down the the home stretch and into the conference tournament.

(02-14-2017 01:42 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 12:50 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(02-14-2017 12:34 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  Redshirt? Before one game against UAB, he and Hueitt were the Saviors and the only chance of us being competitive next season.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Who said this?

Pretty much the entire board.

Havent read 1 single person say this.

(02-14-2017 01:55 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  Coach, in your prediction, you included Porter as one of the players who is improving. I agree, but I really am not enough of a round ball guy to expound on that very eloquently. Could you take a few minutes the talk to what you saw against UAB and in any previous games that leads you to this conclusion? As a general comment, he appears to me to emerging as a real force for this team and will be vital down the the home stretch and into the conference tournament.

Trey has been in double figures in 4 of our last 5 games, and in the last 9 games, he has only shot under 50% once (a 1-3 effort in 9 minutes @Rice). You want your bigs to be able to convert at a +50% fg%.

Now, specifically against UAB, the first time he touched the ball, he traveled when he was posting up, got doubled, but the primary defender backed off just a bit and caused Trey to shuffle his feet. On the very next possession, he posted up in the zone, waited a second to see how the defense was going to react, no double came, so he made a nice move over his left shoulder for an easy lay in.

In the 2nd half, he came into the game and on the first offensive possession, he caught the ball in the post, the double came from Carver's man, Trey kicked it back out for Carver's open jumper. Two possessions later, he caught the ball in the high post, turned over his right shoulder, and pulled up for a 12-foot jump shot (Jones thought he was fouled on this one and got the T). Later, he showed off his improved range with an 18-foot jump shot, had another post-up move, and my favorite of the game, his offensive rebound that he powered up through traffic to finish.

He has clearly been working on his post moves, and he's clearly trying to get stronger, but what has most impressed me is his knowledge and understanding of where to get the best position, and then when he catches it, reading the defense and making decisions based on what the defense is giving him.