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Great write up, 09. Thank you for posting.

(06-29-2017 09:38 AM)odu09 Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 08:34 AM)ODU_NYG Wrote:  Interview w/ JJ from last weekend. https://soundcloud.com/user-943507039/in...nes#t=0:00

Paraphrasing the transcript for anyone who can't listen. I bolded the most valuable response.

They start off by talking about the HS tournament happening, cool.

941: How do you reflect on the past year?
JJ: 19 wins wasn't the goal, we gave some games away (namely 3 that he could think of) solid season but not near what they would have liked. 4 best players coming down the stretch were soph. Hoping to be more mature in those situations next season. Fully expect to be good, the real question is depth. Can you get over injuries and bumps in the road? Have everyone here for summer school including Marquis and Michael (Godwin/Hueitt).

941: Replacing guys like Talley, Taylor, Baker, got some new faces and high profile transfers. What's the outlook for them along with the freshmen?
JJ: The freshman can come in and each of them give us something that we badly need - perimeter shooting. Didn't have that 1 or 2 guys last year to stretch the defense. Getting the freshman gives us an element we badly needed. Justice has to sit this year, but will work hard. McClinton tore ACL and had surgery, but we are trying to work with NCAA to get an extension and get a 6th year while spending this year on Masters.

941: What are you (JJ) allowed to do with the kids during the offseason with everyone on campus?
JJ: We're allowed 8 hours of basketball related activity (conditions, weight lifting, film, on-court bball) right now only 2 of those hours are allowed to be on-court bball with either the group or individuals. We do it with individuals to work on offensive skill work and shooting, spending a lot of one-on-one time. Lifting 4-5 times a week, see lots of gains at this time of the year. Once the season starts you maintain the bulk. In addition everyone is taking at least one summer school class, some with two.

941: Are they allowed to play in summer league?
JJ: They can play in summer league, but it's hard for them to due to the hectic schedule. Our guys are playing pickup in the new practice facility with a number of guys who play collegiately and are local or professionals who are here locally.

941: How do you divide up the 8 hours and what's the talk of it? There's some controversy around it. Plus, you aren't allowed to watch the pickup games?
JJ: We could watch them play but it would count as the 2 hours of on-court. So the pickup is good for the players since they like it but there is limited benefit - don't want to include it as official time.

941: Rules related to you and recruiting. Explain what you (JJ) can do during the offseason.
JJ: Right now until July we can't have prospects come on campus with their families and take unofficial visits. Unofficial just means they pay their own way. Once July hits it becomes a dead period for unofficial visits but then there are 3 four day periods where college coaches can go out to sites like the Peach Jam to watch teams compete in AAU tournaments. The 2nd and 3rd week there's different locations. Vegas is usually the last week with 200-300 teams competing. The mid major coaches spend 8am to midnight in the gym to evaluate the kids you are trying to recruit (the kids going to high major schools are easier to pick out).

941: How has the recruiting strategy changed from 2013 if at all, and are you a believer in altering your style based on the players you have or making them adapt to the way you play?
JJ: The biggest lesson we learned from T Holland is you don't take a round peg and fit in square hole. It's our job as coaches to make changes, sometimes drastic, based on personnel. It's our job to make our kids successful. You saw a shift around the halfway mark last season on how we were playing - we were playing a smaller lineup more often and spread the floor and allowed our players to attack off the dribble. That's how we see ourselves next year, getting ahead in transition, just makes more sense for this group to take advantage of the athleticism of these guys. There has been a subtle change that will be more prevalent going into this season.

They talk some NCAA changes from last season, pretty dry stuff so I left it out. Summed it up by saying with 351 programs with different budgets, it's really hard to find a one-size-fits-all strategy with rules. Dives into transfers and JJ says it's a mess right now and not good for the kids or for the college.

941: MTSU made back-to-back championships but lose 2 key players, Rice loses Rhoades and Evans, how does JJ size up CUSA?
JJ: I was with Rhoades earlier this week. Rice took a huge hit, they lost a lot of players and they've had to replenish their whole roster. MTSU will be good again, UAB will be very talented, WKU is probably the team everyone has their eye on. They've done an amazing job amassing talent down there, doing stuff no one in CUSA has ever done. Positive: extremely talented. The key will be they are all new and young and will need to develop chemistry. They are the preseason favorites without question. UTEP lost key guys but Floyd is such a good coach that even if they start slow he reinvents the team during the nonconference schedule and is competitive in the conference schedule.

Thanks!

No problem! I can keep doing these whenever the interviews are posted if you all like them enough

(06-29-2017 09:15 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  JJ -- "getting out of transition -- playing a little faster". Could we see a real change in the game we play this year?

He says that every year. It's not that he is lying, its just that what a coach who is used to playing his style calls getting out and running, isn't the same thing that we think of when we hear that.

(06-29-2017 09:36 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I am not sure that he has a choice with this roster.

Those people that complain about the pace over the past few seasons, don't understand the roster makeup at all. You can go year by year and show why Jones played the style that he did.

He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I'll believe it when I see it.

(06-29-2017 03:06 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 09:36 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I am not sure that he has a choice with this roster.

Those people that complain about the pace over the past few seasons, don't understand the roster makeup at all. You can go year by year and show why Jones played the style that he did.

He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

(06-30-2017 06:45 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 03:06 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 09:36 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I am not sure that he has a choice with this roster.

Those people that complain about the pace over the past few seasons, don't understand the roster makeup at all. You can go year by year and show why Jones played the style that he did.

He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

I believe he will attempt to spread the floor a bit more, and run more set for drives to the basket, but I seriously doubt the pace will increase enough to move us out of the bottom 1/3 in the NCAA. He is a control freak, and it would drive him crazy to let the kids just get out and run and play outside of his very structured system.

(06-30-2017 06:45 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 03:06 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 09:36 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I am not sure that he has a choice with this roster.

Those people that complain about the pace over the past few seasons, don't understand the roster makeup at all. You can go year by year and show why Jones played the style that he did.

He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

(06-30-2017 09:10 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 06:45 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 03:06 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 09:36 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I am not sure that he has a choice with this roster.

Those people that complain about the pace over the past few seasons, don't understand the roster makeup at all. You can go year by year and show why Jones played the style that he did.

He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

(06-30-2017 09:19 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:10 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 06:45 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 03:06 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 09:36 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I am not sure that he has a choice with this roster.

Those people that complain about the pace over the past few seasons, don't understand the roster makeup at all. You can go year by year and show why Jones played the style that he did.

He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength. We don't have a ton of guys that are good at getting out and running with good handles.

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:19 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:10 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 06:45 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-29-2017 03:06 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  He has played the same style since UVA. The players may fit the style, but that is because he is recruiting them.

I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

(06-30-2017 09:23 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:19 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:10 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 06:45 AM)757ODU Wrote:  I totally understand that. Seems to be recruiting a different type of player now. Green, Hueitt, and Godwin are made for the spread em out offense.

That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

Really? Look how often he turns the ball over in transition. Look how inefficient he is at finishing in transition. Why is that?

(06-30-2017 09:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:23 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:19 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:10 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

Really? Look how often he turns the ball over in transition. Look how inefficient he is at finishing in transition. Why is that?

Maybe because Jones didn't allow them to get out on the break. You have to work on transition O in practice. We'll agree to disagree right now. I believe Caver is made for the open floor. Hopefully we will find out this year.

(06-30-2017 09:26 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:23 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:19 AM)757ODU Wrote:  Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

Really? Look how often he turns the ball over in transition. Look how inefficient he is at finishing in transition. Why is that?

Maybe because Jones didn't allow them to get out on the break. You have to work on transition O in practice. We'll agree to disagree right now. I believe Caver is made for the open floor. Hopefully we will find out this year.

I will agree to disagree then. I would venture to guess Caver plays in transition in every pickup game/summer league game he ever plays. I don't believe that you are good in transition just because you are athletic. It takes a different skill set. I do agree that Caver is very athletic though; fast and pretty good handles.

I don't think his vision is great for a point guard and his passing can be reckless at times. He seems like the type of point guard that is good in the half court by knocking down 3s and passing in a more structured format. Just my opinion. If they open it up and he proves to be better at it, thats a good thing.

(06-30-2017 09:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:23 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:19 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:10 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  That probably won't affect pace a ton. Maybe a little bit with Green and Caver. I don't think Godwin and Hueitt are particularly strong in transition, but certainly better in transition than Baker. Many of our conference mates are slow pace teams as well, so that affects it to some degree. Godwin and Hueitt were added to spread the floor and knock down shots. Green will probably fill the role intended for Talley as a driving wing player.

Hueitt is extremely strong in transition. He looks for the 3 on the break.

Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

Really? Look how often he turns the ball over in transition. Look how inefficient he is at finishing in transition. Why is that?

Because half the team had trouble catching the ball and Stith hobbled through most of the season? When your outlet big running the floor in transition is Denzel Taylor, you are going to get turnovers too often.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I disagree his passing is reckless at times. I recall maybe a couple bad passes but most were the big man not even remotely ready or expecting them. As the season went on that got a little better.

I am kind of excited to see green and heuitt with caver pushing.

Overall pur fast break offense was adequate but had some really bad moments that I think we all glaringly remember.

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.

(06-30-2017 09:33 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:26 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:23 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

Really? Look how often he turns the ball over in transition. Look how inefficient he is at finishing in transition. Why is that?

Maybe because Jones didn't allow them to get out on the break. You have to work on transition O in practice. We'll agree to disagree right now. I believe Caver is made for the open floor. Hopefully we will find out this year.

I will agree to disagree then. I would venture to guess Caver plays in transition in every pickup game/summer league game he ever plays. I don't believe that you are good in transition just because you are athletic. It takes a different skill set. I do agree that Caver is very athletic though; fast and pretty good handles.

I don't think his vision is great for a point guard and his passing can be reckless at times. He seems like the type of point guard that is good in the half court by knocking down 3s and passing in a more structured format. Just my opinion. If they open it up and he proves to be better at it, thats a good thing.

His vision seemed fine to me. He may have gambled a bit too much, but that will improve with experience. I disagree that he is more of a ball control PG like Drew Williamson. When Caver is creating, we are better.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

(06-30-2017 09:33 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:26 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:25 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:23 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(06-30-2017 09:22 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Yes, but he needs a point guard that is good at pushing the floor and big men to drive to the basket to draw players in. I love Caver as much as anyone, but I don't know that that is his strength.

You can't be serious...

Really? Look how often he turns the ball over in transition. Look how inefficient he is at finishing in transition. Why is that?

Maybe because Jones didn't allow them to get out on the break. You have to work on transition O in practice. We'll agree to disagree right now. I believe Caver is made for the open floor. Hopefully we will find out this year.

I will agree to disagree then. I would venture to guess Caver plays in transition in every pickup game/summer league game he ever plays. I don't believe that you are good in transition just because you are athletic. It takes a different skill set. I do agree that Caver is very athletic though; fast and pretty good handles.

I don't think his vision is great for a point guard and his passing can be reckless at times. He seems like the type of point guard that is good in the half court by knocking down 3s and passing in a more structured format. Just my opinion. If they open it up and he proves to be better at it, thats a good thing.

His vision is incredible.

Look for Haynes to help in the transition offense as well. I think we are going to see a much more confident Haynes this season and our guys are not going to play scared like they seemed to at times last year. We did play better in the last third of the season when Jones had them pushing the ball harder up court but in the end we didn't have the tree point threats to close the deal, especially when Caver turned his ankle just before the CUSA tournament. Leading up to that he was on a tear. Also, we will see more of Stith and Porter together next season. Jones stated that on the coaches tour few weeks ago.