CSNbbs

Full Version: 2015-2016 Season-perception vs reality
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
Pages: 1 2 3 4
As we put a bow on this season (no disrespect meant to those Vegas 16/8/4/2.5 supporters), but something I have wondered all year.

Where were we all so wrong?

The perception from us fans was that this team was top 25 caliber. The coaches and SID's agreed pre season. So where did it go wrong?

I have compared this team to the Alex Loughton's senior campaign. Lots of hope, which ended up as just a bunch of hype. But are they similar?

The Loughton team struggled to gain momentum all year. They never really hit their stride. Gave it a run in the NIT, but that was consolation at that point.

This years team had one of the all time special players in Monarch's history and they never could quite pull it together. Was the fact that the season never got off on the right foot a bigger deal than we thought. Was The dismissal and suspension of multiple players that big of a challenge? The injury to Stith? The fact that we never had a true second option?

Or...were the expectations just out line? And by expectations, I was envisioning hovering in or around the top 25 all year (also receiving votes). Coming through non-conference with 2-4 losses. Taking a few lumps in conference but setting ourselves up for an at-large possibility. My expectations included no grand thoughts of a NCAA deep run. Once you are in the tournament, who knows.
(03-22-2016 11:02 AM)BigBlue23 Wrote: [ -> ]Where were we all so wrong?

1. Richard Ross's leadership was more essential to last year's success than we imagined.
2. Javonte Douglas and Ambrose Mosely were expected to be key contributers.
3. Pervier was expected to play a role. Turned out not only was he not good enough to see the floor, but his attitude and behavior was a liability to the team's chemistry.
4. Started the season with turmoil over suspensions.
5. Stith's injury and slow recovery cost us some games.
6. Freeman didn't really get going until conference play.

The Loughton team really had no excuses. I suppose the CAA as a whole was stronger than expected... that was the year Hofstra was snubbed, UNCW won and got in as an 8/9 and George Mason made their Final 4 run. Maybe Kiah Thomas had Richard Ross leadership. That was the only player we lost after making the NCAAs the previous year and giving Michigan State all they could handle.
First off, last years team was clearly better, but I don't think it is to the degree that people think. This year, we had tough non conference road games, last year we had non conference home games. We lost 5 more games than last year. We lost our 2nd best player for a chunk of the season and had losses of 2 points to St. Joes, 2 to Southern Miss, 1 to UAB, 3 to MTSU, and 3 to Marshall.

We averaged 69 points and gave up 62. Stith being healthy and normal variation and we probably are a 25+ win team. Its pretty impressive when you think about it.

Having said that, our expectations were too high (including myself). We were roughly top 50/60ish last year. Expecting us to lose 5 rotational players and replacing them with Stith, Biberaj, Vassor, and 2 freshman is a lot ot ask. Then asking the team to make a jump from top 50/60 to top 25..... Personally, I failed to account enough for the losses of the big guys Ross/Arledge.
We also lost 3 buzzer beaters that really hurt. Last year we won close games at home OOC. This year, we lost close games on the road OOC (sans Purdue and Richmond, where we just plain sucked.)

With the style we play, we are going to be in a lot of close games. Thus there is a fine line between winning and losing, and that line can be altered by suspensions, injuries, depth, etc.
(03-22-2016 11:08 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]
(03-22-2016 11:02 AM)BigBlue23 Wrote: [ -> ]Where were we all so wrong?

1. Richard Ross's leadership was more essential to last year's success than we imagined.
2. Javonte Douglas and Ambrose Mosely were expected to be key contributers.
3. Pervier was expected to play a role. Turned out not only was he not good enough to see the floor, but his attitude and behavior was a liability to the team's chemistry.
4. Started the season with turmoil over suspensions.
5. Stith's injury and slow recovery cost us some games.
6. Freeman didn't really get going until conference play.

I agree with all of this. We also had more home games last season and won a lot of the close ones. Stith's injury, the early suspensions, Douglas and Mosely getting canned, were awful turn of events in that we lost a lot of talent, it affected chemistry and we had to figure out a new style which takes time. Its surely disappointing, but considering what we lost, I guess we did pretty good.
22 wins in what we are calling a very bad year. We did great recovering from the pre season bad luck and early season player led implosion .
(03-22-2016 01:05 PM)mac Wrote: [ -> ]22 wins in what we are calling a very bad year. We did great recovering from the pre season bad luck and early season player led implosion .

Agreed...... just a few more to cap the year. Go Monarchs
I don't think the preseason expectations were that far off.

Long version: Others have mentioned these, but Pervier turning out to be a wasted effort, suspensions, loss of Mosley and Douglas and Stith's injury resulted in the OOC schedule being much harder than was anticipated. Despite all the adversity, the team came together during conference play, and we wound up tied for third. Then in the conference tourney, we played four days in a row and still came within a RCH of taking it all and going to the Big Dance.

Short version. Despite early season, unanticipated problems, this team pulled it together to win 22 games and play in the conference tournament championship game.

Summary: This was a good team that had a difficult year.

Prediction: The Monarchs win three games in Las Vegas.
My long-form reaction to Old Dominion basketball in the 2015-16 season:

$hit happens.
In addition to what has been said already, I'll add the battle that Jeff Jones had to face with cancer. Not making excuses, but it has been a tough year, and the men on our team had enough character to nearly get to the Big Dance.
(03-22-2016 01:47 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote: [ -> ]In addition to what has been said already, I'll add the battle that Jeff Jones had to face with cancer. Not making excuses, but it has been a tough year, and the men on our team had enough character to nearly get to the Big Dance.

A nice thing to say and a very good point. 04-cheers
I think our problems were compounding.

1. We lost 3 players who were expected to contribute and the Stith injury didn't help.

2. Consequently, it took JJ a couple of months to figure out his rotation.

3. This significantly delayed the team's chemistry (Typically teams get into a groove and begin gelling after playing 10-15 games together.) This is evidenced by our late season push.

Ultimately, imo we just ran out of time.
(03-22-2016 01:57 PM)Tribrocavs Wrote: [ -> ]I think our problems were compounding.

1. We lost 3 players who were expected to contribute and the Stith injury didn't help.

2. Consequently, it took JJ a couple of months to figure out his rotation.

3. This significantly delayed the team's chemistry (Typically teams get into a groove and begin gelling after playing 10-15 games together.) This is evidenced by our late season push.

Ultimately, imo we just ran out of time.

2nd point is certainly valid. Look how long it took Stephen F. Austin and Kentucky to gel. (just 2 examples)
Didn't want to post this in a new thread, but saw this on twitter from Payton Pervier:

Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 11h11 hours ago

Man I miss juco. I rushed my decision, although in the long run ODU was right for me beyond basketball reasons. Don't let people lie to you.
https://twitter.com/Payton_Pervier/statu...6149620739

The "Don't let people lie to you" line is vague enough to make me wonder what exactly he means by that.
So, he goes on a bit of a twitter rant last night:

This one was right before the one I posted:
Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 12h12 hours ago

Everything will come to light at some point.

The rest of these are one after another after the one I posted.

Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 12h12 hours ago

Trust your heart, but in the long run if you believe in God he's got your back regardless.

Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 12h12 hours ago

Fr everyone making decisions in juco rn, just think about what's right for you. Make sure your relation with your head coach is true.

Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 12h12 hours ago

All that matters is what is your future. Do what is best for you, please done settle y'all. Please don't.

Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 11h11 hours ago

If I reach and help one person I'll be happy. Do what is best for you and you only. What's right for you and your family not some program.

Quote:Payton Pervier ‏@Payton_Pervier · 11h11 hours ago

Listen to what's right for u, not what is right for their program. My pro future is already set, I just wish my college career ended better.

https://twitter.com/Payton_Pervier

This is not meant as some sort of judgement/indictment on Pervier, just found intriguing dialogue and wondered what others thought.
Sounds like maybe some sour grapes and some wishing for a second chance.
L-O-S-E-R
He's likely blaming the coach for his poor performance. Probably feels Jones promised him more playing time or something.
Translation: "Screw the Team (program) and Head Coach. Give me more playing time."
I'm sure we will be seeing him in the NBA very soon!
Pages: 1 2 3 4
Reference URL's