(11-28-2017 02:41 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote: This game is really simple to determine the outcome. We have the advantage in the post. If Brandon and Trey can stay out of foul trouble we should be able to establish the low post. The issue will be the tricky tack fouls and if the FECESU crowd can pressure the officials to make calls. Also, if FECESU is able to manhandle our guards it will make it easy to go down hill and draw fouls. I hope we play more zone in this game. They will show token pressure to limit our shot clock on each possess. We had FECESU beat at home last year until we let our foot off the gas. This game I suspect FECESU will be favored by 4 to 6pts.
I agree with your mentioning that Brandan and Porter need to stay out of foul trouble. The most key couple of players to me to keep out of foul trouble are Porter and Caver with Brandan a very close 3rd on the list. We especially can't afford to lose Caver (IMO). Need steady point guard play in this one especially.
My keys to an ODU victory would be -
1). Stay out of foul trouble (see above).
2). Hit a decent percentage of your shots (including 3 pointers and foul line). Can't be throwing up bricks when you have an open look. Need to take advantage and make them pay.
3). Don't turn it over more than 8 - 12 times. Them getting turnovers is like blood in the water to sharks. It gets both them and the crowd hyped up.
4). Keep Williams from driving into the lane nearly every possession or he and his teammates will get a lot of easy shots, likely shoot a high percentage from all over, and draw many fouls on ODU.
5). Keep an eye on Cofield (sp) out at the 3 point line.
6). Guard Tillman closely all over the floor. He can score inside and out to the 3 point line.
7). And as Blaine Taylor used to tell his teams ... embrace the moment. Enjoy playing in front of the raucous and hostile crowd instead of playing scared because of it.