(12-11-2018 09:18 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote: [ -> ]
I say JJ is likely to retire after this year and our new HC is Coach Stith. I think JJ has done what any good mentor / leader does....grows and develops their replacement.
There was a time where I might have placed money on this idea, but it certainly seems like JJ is doing about as well as anyone could imagine given his situation. He's still relatively young. I've got to imagine, as long as his fight against cancer goes well, he is probably not ready to ride off into the sunset.
All contingent on his health. Period.
(12-11-2018 06:29 AM)odu09 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-11-2018 01:27 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-08-2018 08:43 AM)odu09 Wrote: [ -> ]The point is - we all understand what the big picture is. We get it. We really do.
When we get victories along the way, we should be enjoying them rather than pointing out what is ahead of us.
The problem is, many of the jones defenders don’t get the big picture because they are still defending the “job” he’s done as acceptable in year 6.
Giles and t Mac are prime examples, albeit not people who’s opinions should ever be taken seriously.
You're right, some people don't get it. And if they don't get it by now, they never will, regardless of how you or I post. I will freely admit this season is going better than how I predicted we would be right now. The big guys are struggling (predicted) but BJ and Caver are carrying the team much better than expected. Caver had an off night and still finished with a double-double (12 points and 12 assists). We have yet to see what the ceiling looks like with this team. No team in CUSA looks particularly dominate right now, and that could change, but as of right now we still look to be among the best of them and that's what matters... for now.
It’s going exactly how I thought it would save for vcu blowing a 17 point lead against us........namely, that we beat the teams we were supposed to, lost to the teams we were supposed to and our front court blows despite all of the “fans” who said they looked amazing in practice (practice???).
We don’t have the horses to win CUSA this year and I don’t see us winning 3 in 3 days without some luck and someone in the front court showing a pulse.
We are exactly who I thought we were which is YET AGAIN, good but not nearly good enough.
But yeah, let’s shut up the only fans on this board willing to take a realistic look at the program and expect better.
Great idea.
(12-13-2018 12:21 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-11-2018 06:29 AM)odu09 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-11-2018 01:27 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-08-2018 08:43 AM)odu09 Wrote: [ -> ]The point is - we all understand what the big picture is. We get it. We really do.
When we get victories along the way, we should be enjoying them rather than pointing out what is ahead of us.
The problem is, many of the jones defenders don’t get the big picture because they are still defending the “job” he’s done as acceptable in year 6.
Giles and t Mac are prime examples, albeit not people who’s opinions should ever be taken seriously.
You're right, some people don't get it. And if they don't get it by now, they never will, regardless of how you or I post. I will freely admit this season is going better than how I predicted we would be right now. The big guys are struggling (predicted) but BJ and Caver are carrying the team much better than expected. Caver had an off night and still finished with a double-double (12 points and 12 assists). We have yet to see what the ceiling looks like with this team. No team in CUSA looks particularly dominate right now, and that could change, but as of right now we still look to be among the best of them and that's what matters... for now.
It’s going exactly how I thought it would save for vcu blowing a 17 point lead against us........namely, that we beat the teams we were supposed to, lost to the teams we were supposed to and our front court blows despite all of the “fans” who said they looked amazing in practice (practice???).
We don’t have the horses to win CUSA this year and I don’t see us winning 3 in 3 days without some luck and someone in the front court showing a pulse.
We are exactly who I thought we were which is YET AGAIN, good but not nearly good enough.
But yeah, let’s shut up the only fans on this board willing to take a realistic look at the program and expect better.
Great idea.
Do you 100% guarantee we wont win 3 in 3 days?
(12-13-2018 12:21 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]It’s going exactly how I thought it would save for vcu blowing a 17 point lead against us........namely, that we beat the teams we were supposed to, lost to the teams we were supposed to and our front court blows despite all of the “fans” who said they looked amazing in practice (practice???).
We don’t have the horses to win CUSA this year and I don’t see us winning 3 in 3 days without some luck and someone in the front court showing a pulse.
We are exactly who I thought we were which is YET AGAIN, good but not nearly good enough.
But yeah, let’s shut up the only fans on this board willing to take a realistic look at the program and expect better.
Great idea.
I am not telling you or anyone else to shut up. But I mean you just proved my point in the very first line of your response... you see it as VCU squandering a 17 point lead, not ODU fighting back from a 17 point deficit. It's like you have this inherit bias against ODU that you can't shake because you hate the coach.
MOST of us thought (including you) that we would struggle early this year with an unknown front court. For some reason, you can't see that the back court is carrying much better than anyone expected, nor can you see that our front court doesn't even need to score in order for us to win so far. Our front court isn't amazing right now, but to say they don't have a pulse either shows that once again all you are looking at is the box score or you don't understand nearly as much about basketball as you claim. Points scored is not the only qualifier. Surely someone who has watched ODU basketball over the last 10 years would understand that. I wonder if you think Wade is a bad player because he's a guard only averaging less than 4 points a game so far.
You also suggesting that we can't win CUSA also means you aren't paying attention to the rest of the conference. I don't care if you do or not, but I would recommend not speaking about things you don't understand or have done 0 research on. RIGHT NOW, we are in every measure a top team yet again in the conference, despite our early struggles as most predicted. You should diss the conference, that would make more sense.
As far as your last line in your response. We want better too. The difference is we don't have the need to say it after every win, or 3 times after every loss. I'm sure you'll say it again after Saturday. It's not that we don't disagree, it's just we've seen it over and over and over again. You've drilled it here, and all of us know where you stand.
MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
(12-13-2018 06:42 AM)odu09 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 12:21 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote: [ -> ]It’s going exactly how I thought it would save for vcu blowing a 17 point lead against us........namely, that we beat the teams we were supposed to, lost to the teams we were supposed to and our front court blows despite all of the “fans” who said they looked amazing in practice (practice???).
We don’t have the horses to win CUSA this year and I don’t see us winning 3 in 3 days without some luck and someone in the front court showing a pulse.
We are exactly who I thought we were which is YET AGAIN, good but not nearly good enough.
But yeah, let’s shut up the only fans on this board willing to take a realistic look at the program and expect better.
Great idea.
I am not telling you or anyone else to shut up. But I mean you just proved my point in the very first line of your response... you see it as VCU squandering a 17 point lead, not ODU fighting back from a 17 point deficit. It's like you have this inherit bias against ODU that you can't shake because you hate the coach.
MOST of us thought (including you) that we would struggle early this year with an unknown front court. For some reason, you can't see that the back court is carrying much better than anyone expected, nor can you see that our front court doesn't even need to score in order for us to win so far. Our front court isn't amazing right now, but to say they don't have a pulse either shows that once again all you are looking at is the box score or you don't understand nearly as much about basketball as you claim. Points scored is not the only qualifier. Surely someone who has watched ODU basketball over the last 10 years would understand that. I wonder if you think Wade is a bad player because he's a guard only averaging less than 4 points a game so far.
You also suggesting that we can't win CUSA also means you aren't paying attention to the rest of the conference. I don't care if you do or not, but I would recommend not speaking about things you don't understand or have done 0 research on. RIGHT NOW, we are in every measure a top team yet again in the conference, despite our early struggles as most predicted. You should diss the conference, that would make more sense.
As far as your last line in your response. We want better too. The difference is we don't have the need to say it after every win, or 3 times after every loss. I'm sure you'll say it again after Saturday. It's not that we don't disagree, it's just we've seen it over and over and over again. You've drilled it here, and all of us know where you stand.
Exactly odu09. You hit the nail on the head. I also think our front court has not been as anemic as some claim. It's true our two bigs laid an egg against Fairfield but this teams makeup is so different this year we have to factor in that we have a wing playing the four spot quite a bit. Last year Porter, Brandon, and Carver played about 86% of the minutes at the 4 and 5. This year if you add Dickens, Robinson, Ezikpe, and Carver's minutes they are taking up about 68% of those minutes the 4 and 5 would play. So we are getting about 15 minutes a game at the four from a group of players and that group has been very productive. Acutually at this point in the season BJ is on track to have better rebounding numbers than his brother last year ( the best on the team). I get that it's early and conference play has not started but this team's makeup is so different I like the makeup of our front court much better than last year. Plus Ezikpe is adding that depth in the middle we did not have last year.
I loved Porter's play when he was on last year. He was a difference maker but when he started his antics during a game we had nobody to turn to except to put Brandon in the middle and bring Carver in. Jones has more to turn to this year and I still believe the best is ahead this season for both Dickens and Robinson.
Jones has said publicly this team was not going to be as strong on the boards as in years past but I believe the defense can still be better( or is better) because of the play and mobility we are getting in the front court.
(12-13-2018 09:01 AM)JJMonarch Wrote: [ -> ]Exactly odu09. You hit the nail on the head. I also think our front court has not been as anemic as some claim. It's true our two bigs laid an egg against Fairfield but this teams makeup is so different this year we have to factor in that we have a wing playing the four spot quite a bit. Last year Porter, Brandon, and Carver played about 86% of the minutes at the 4 and 5. This year if you add Dickens, Robinson, Ezikpe, and Carver's minutes they are taking up about 68% of those minutes the 4 and 5 would play. So we are getting about 15 minutes a game at the four from a group of players and that group has been very productive. Acutually at this point in the season BJ is on track to have better rebounding numbers than his brother last year ( the best on the team). I get that it's early and conference play has not started but this team's makeup is so different I like the makeup of our front court much better than last year. Plus Ezikpe is adding that depth in the middle we did not have last year.
I loved Porter's play when he was on last year. He was a difference maker but when he started his antics during a game we had nobody to turn to except to put Brandon in the middle and bring Carver in. Jones has more to turn to this year and I still believe the best is ahead this season for both Dickens and Robinson.
Jones has said publicly this team was not going to be as strong on the boards as in years past but I believe the defense can still be better( or is better) because of the play and mobility we are getting in the front court.
BJ has been a rebounding fool this year. He has been flying in for them, and it's been awesome to watch.
I'm just trying to figure out who is trying to shut anybody up. And once we discover who it is, somebody should tell them that that action seems to have a multiplication effect.
Go Monarchs.
(12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
(12-13-2018 10:28 AM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
Still though, last year there were 2 top 50 teams and 4 top 100 teams. This year there are 2 top 100 teams (NET), including us and, while I could be wrong, I'm not buying North Texas as at #53 (NET). This is the weakest CUSA has been at the top in a long time, though I think it has improved at the bottom.
(12-13-2018 10:28 AM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
I agree with your assessment about the defense. And I agree 100% about the problem UVA has in the post season. They bring it every night on defense and you can pretty much count on us doing the same. Some teams pick it up a notch on defense at tournament time and there isn't much for us or UVA to pick up on that end. However, Jones is making a concerted effort to get more offense by trying to score in the open court and he isn't getting much credit for that. We are going to struggle at times as we don't have a bunch of three point specialists and low posts threat but at some point we should give these kids some credit for finding their groove on offense. X and Godwin are clearly big pieces to the puzzle and they seem to be getting confidence in what they do. Is it enough? Who knows, but at least this year we seem to have more interchangeable parts to throw in the mix and Jones ( for the first time ever) seems to have a lot of confidence in his bench. This team is going to frustrate the heck out of us at times but as a fan right now I like the energy and excitement they bring.
(12-13-2018 11:19 AM)JJMonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 10:28 AM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
I agree with your assessment about the defense. And I agree 100% about the problem UVA has in the post season. They bring it every night on defense and you can pretty much count on us doing the same. Some teams pick it up a notch on defense at tournament time and there isn't much for us or UVA to pick up on that end. However, Jones is making a concerted effort to get more offense by trying to score in the open court and he isn't getting much credit for that. We are going to struggle at times as we don't have a bunch of three point specialists and low posts threat but at some point we should give these kids some credit for finding their groove on offense. X and Godwin are clearly big pieces to the puzzle and they seem to be getting confidence in what they do. Is it enough? Who knows, but at least this year we seem to have more interchangeable parts to throw in the mix and Jones ( for the first time ever) seems to have a lot of confidence in his bench. This team is going to frustrate the heck out of us at times but as a fan right now I like the energy and excitement they bring.
While UVA has underperformed in NCAA tournaments lately, they did win the ACC tournament last year and have fared well in the ACC tournament in other years since they got good again as well. Also Wisconsin has historically overperformed in the NCAAs as a defense first team. It is a crapshoot in these tournaments. Any team that goes cold shooting can be upset, probably more so an offense first team. UVA's defense allowed 74 points to UMBC (53 in the 2nd half). While their offense certainly went cold, their defense let them down as well.
(12-13-2018 11:34 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 11:19 AM)JJMonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 10:28 AM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
I agree with your assessment about the defense. And I agree 100% about the problem UVA has in the post season. They bring it every night on defense and you can pretty much count on us doing the same. Some teams pick it up a notch on defense at tournament time and there isn't much for us or UVA to pick up on that end. However, Jones is making a concerted effort to get more offense by trying to score in the open court and he isn't getting much credit for that. We are going to struggle at times as we don't have a bunch of three point specialists and low posts threat but at some point we should give these kids some credit for finding their groove on offense. X and Godwin are clearly big pieces to the puzzle and they seem to be getting confidence in what they do. Is it enough? Who knows, but at least this year we seem to have more interchangeable parts to throw in the mix and Jones ( for the first time ever) seems to have a lot of confidence in his bench. This team is going to frustrate the heck out of us at times but as a fan right now I like the energy and excitement they bring.
While UVA has underperformed in NCAA tournaments lately, they did win the ACC tournament last year and have fared well in the ACC tournament in other years since they got good again as well. Also Wisconsin has historically overperformed in the NCAAs as a defense first team. It is a crapshoot in these tournaments. Any team that goes cold shooting can be upset, probably more so an offense first team. UVA's defense allowed 74 points to UMBC (53 in the 2nd half). While their offense certainly went cold, their defense let them down as well.
Wisconsin didn't reach the Final Four until Bo Ryan figured out the offense thing. That team scored in the 80s regularly.
As far as UVA, I mentioned that they are a little different than us. They do play pretty good offense. Their issues is that their pace keeps everyone in the game and eventually they get bitten when the other team gets hot. Their is also an element of rigidity to what they do that keeps them from making an adjustment when things aren't going their way (UMBC).
(12-13-2018 11:19 AM)JJMonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 10:28 AM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
I agree with your assessment about the defense. And I agree 100% about the problem UVA has in the post season. They bring it every night on defense and you can pretty much count on us doing the same. Some teams pick it up a notch on defense at tournament time and there isn't much for us or UVA to pick up on that end. However, Jones is making a concerted effort to get more offense by trying to score in the open court and he isn't getting much credit for that. We are going to struggle at times as we don't have a bunch of three point specialists and low posts threat but at some point we should give these kids some credit for finding their groove on offense. X and Godwin are clearly big pieces to the puzzle and they seem to be getting confidence in what they do. Is it enough? Who knows, but at least this year we seem to have more interchangeable parts to throw in the mix and Jones ( for the first time ever) seems to have a lot of confidence in his bench. This team is going to frustrate the heck out of us at times but as a fan right now I like the energy and excitement they bring.
I agree with most of what you said. I am impressed with what some of the younger players are doing as well. Where I might disagree a bit is on whether making more of an effort to get out in transition helps a ton in
Post season play. Post season basketball is typically played a lot more in the half court, and you have to be able to execute your half court sets, and hit open 3s to win.
Our frontcourt has shown signs of being able to play (particularly Dickens), but they disappear far too often. If they can show some consistency, we may have a shot in March.
(12-13-2018 12:09 PM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 11:19 AM)JJMonarch Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 10:28 AM)Monarchblue Wrote: [ -> ] (12-13-2018 06:48 AM)EverRespect Wrote: [ -> ]MTSU sucks this year and WKU and Marshall are struggling so far. I'm sure someone will all of the sudden turn into a world beater, but as of now, it looks like we have a shot.
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
The problem, as I see it, is not that there are teams that are significantly better than us. The problem is that under the JJ system, it seems extremely difficult for the team to win three tough games in three days. Part of the problem is that we win games throughout the season by being more committed to defense that anyone else. Come tournament time, everyone steps up their defense, and our advantage is decimated while our scoring problems are exacerbated. UVA faces the same issue btw, hence their underperforming in the NCAAT every year. They are not exactly the same as us, though, as they actually do run good offense.
I agree with your assessment about the defense. And I agree 100% about the problem UVA has in the post season. They bring it every night on defense and you can pretty much count on us doing the same. Some teams pick it up a notch on defense at tournament time and there isn't much for us or UVA to pick up on that end. However, Jones is making a concerted effort to get more offense by trying to score in the open court and he isn't getting much credit for that. We are going to struggle at times as we don't have a bunch of three point specialists and low posts threat but at some point we should give these kids some credit for finding their groove on offense. X and Godwin are clearly big pieces to the puzzle and they seem to be getting confidence in what they do. Is it enough? Who knows, but at least this year we seem to have more interchangeable parts to throw in the mix and Jones ( for the first time ever) seems to have a lot of confidence in his bench. This team is going to frustrate the heck out of us at times but as a fan right now I like the energy and excitement they bring.
I agree with most of what you said. I am impressed with what some of the younger players are doing as well. Where I might disagree a bit is on whether making more of an effort to get out in transition helps a ton in Post season play. Post season basketball is typically played a lot more in the half court, and you have to be able to execute your half court sets, and hit open 3s to win.
I agree 100%. I think the key for us this year is Caver in that regard. He has great games at times and others, his shot is just not there. He is not proven to be solid at the line like I was hoping though he has shown improvement. Last year I ( my opinion) attributed that to him playing 40 minutes every game and handling the ball all the time. Early on this year I was hopeful we would see Kithcart playing a larger role at the point and taking a few minutes of Caver's time. Lately with his ankle sprain that has not happened. He should be good to go by now so we will see what the plan is using Kithcart very soon. Jones does have more options handling the ball with Wade and Green but the one thing that still bothers me is playing Caver all the time. I have no facts to back up my statement but I do know the better teams are going to make it as hard on Caver as they can and three days in a row of playing will require fresh legs. I just don't believe he will be at his best in tournament play if he is playing 38-40 minutes three days in a row.
We've won the CAA tournament back in the days when it was a good conference with Darius James playing nearly the whole tournament. I think even Drew Williamson did it too. It isn't unheard of.