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

The Warriors best lineup is Curry, Thompson, iguodala, Barnes and Green. Tallest player is 6'6.

I just think you have to be able to spread teams out and then drive them in today's game. We can't do that right now and it shows.

Stith is listed at 6'7 but that is an archaic way to view a post player. With his wingspan and hands, his 6'7 is much bigger than most everyone else in our conference. Name me a post player in CUSA that can physically matchup with Brandan Stith. He plays bigger than everyone from what I've seen.

I agree with this. Stith plays big and that is more important that listed height. Stith has a 7 foot wingspan and gets off the floor quickly. Thats better than having a 6-10 guy with a 6-10 wingspan that is slow. He's perfectly capable of being the lone "big man" vs. most teams. Actually being able to spread teams out may help him out on putbacks and drivers dishing to him in the lane.

(02-16-2016 11:08 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I agree with this. Stith plays big and that is more important that listed height. Stith has a 7 foot wingspan and gets off the floor quickly. Thats better than having a 6-10 guy with a 6-10 wingspan that is slow. He's perfectly capable of being the lone "big man" vs. most teams. Actually being able to spread teams out may help him out on putbacks and drivers dishing to him in the lane.

We agree on this one. He has wingspan, athleticism, and major hops and plays bigger than most centers in the NCAA. Stith can absolutely be the lone big.

The nice thing about next year's lineup is the versatility. We can go big against teams like Purdue, or small if the need fits. Haven't had this ability in quite a while.

Stith, Haynes, (and Green if he doesn't redshirt) give us some needed length at the guard spot.

(02-16-2016 11:28 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  The nice thing about next year's lineup is the versatility. We can go big against teams like Purdue, or small if the need fits. Haven't had this ability in quite a while.

Stith, Haynes, (and Green if he doesn't redshirt) give us some needed length at the guard spot.

We are going to need to be versatile. Don't forget about this lil tourney...

(02-16-2016 11:03 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  The Warriors best lineup is Curry, Thompson, iguodala, Barnes and Green. Tallest player is 6'6.

I just think you have to be able to spread teams out and then drive them in today's game. We can't do that right now and it shows.

The spread and drive offense is only effective when you have guys that can hit the shots from 3, otherwise a team can simply pack it back into a zone to take away the drives and let you chuck away from outside. Until we have a few good 3 point shooters we had better concentrate on scoring closer to the basket. Size and skill down low tend to pay dividends in accomplishing that. All of those Warriors guys you listed can knock down the 3 and a couple of them are exceptional at it.

Well the game has surely passed me by.

I don't want a 6' 9" kid to replace Stith, I want a 6' 9" kid to keep the bigs from bottling him up. A 6' 7" front court is a guaranteed way to stay competitive with the W&Ms of the world IMO. And I'm sure we can do better.

(02-16-2016 11:42 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(02-16-2016 11:03 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  The Warriors best lineup is Curry, Thompson, iguodala, Barnes and Green. Tallest player is 6'6.

I just think you have to be able to spread teams out and then drive them in today's game. We can't do that right now and it shows.

The spread and drive offense is only effective when you have guys that can hit the shots from 3, otherwise a team can simply pack it back into a zone to take away the drives and let you chuck away from outside. Until we have a few good 3 point shooters we had better concentrate on scoring closer to the basket. Size and skill down low tend to pay dividends in accomplishing that. All of those Warriors guys you listed can knock down the 3 and a couple of them are exceptional at it.

The problem is the big schools gobble up all the decent big guys. ODU is not going to get any big guys right at of high school that can play right away. They have to go after developmental bigs. And you can't fill the roster with developmental bigs as many don't work out.

I agree that we need some guys that can shoot. Kah/Colbert seem to be bigger guys that can at least threaten the defense. I think Stith can shoot. I hope Caver/Evans/Talley/Haynes end up being able to shoot, but they are question marks at this point.

(02-16-2016 11:48 AM)FearTheLion Wrote:  Well the game has surely passed me by.

I don't want a 6' 9" kid to replace Stith, I want a 6' 9" kid to keep the bigs from bottling him up. A 6' 7" front court is a guaranteed way to stay competitive with the W&Ms of the world IMO. And I'm sure we can do better.

Stith as a 7 foot wingspan that is important. Being 6-7 means pretty much nothing.

Look at schools like Dayton, Butler, SMU, Providence...and a number of other schools to see how to compete without a front like of 6-9 guys.

Butler went to two final fours with almost entirely all wings. Remember Khyle Marshall, he was often their big at 6'6 but had that elite motor/wingspan.

(02-16-2016 11:05 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Stith is listed at 6'7 but that is an archaic way to view a post player. With his wingspan and hands, his 6'7 is much bigger than most everyone else in our conference. Name me a post player in CUSA that can physically matchup with Brandan Stith. He plays bigger than everyone from what I've seen.

6'-10" Uchebo of Charlotte matches up physically, but doesn't exert himself on the defensive end. He is hampered by a knee condition that slows him up. Uchebo is already nearly unstoppable on offense when he catches it in the low post against us and rebounds as well or better than anyone in the league.

If Uchebo was playing against the Jr & Sr year 6'-10" Mark West that played at ODU, he would probably not fare nearly so well. Stith is above average and plays big for a 6'-7" guy, but he doesn't play big for above average 6'-10" (or taller) guys. I believe that plays a big part in why Stith frequently hurries his shots. He is frequently up against taller players and wants to get it up before they can react and block it. Unfortunately, it affects his accuracy and touch on the shot and causes him to miss more than he would otherwise from close range. I think that he will improve on those things over time.

This is becoming a Stith thread, which is okay. He's becoming a focal point

I believe he rushes his opportunities in large part because he doesn't have enough of them. If he gets the basketball, it is often because he killed himself to obtain it. Unlike Denzell, Stith tries to convert those into points and yes, it is often rushed or messy.

If Stith was used like a Frank Hassell, also 6'7, he would be more into the flow of the game and thus more efficient.

(02-16-2016 12:11 PM)ODUR8R Wrote:  This is becoming a Stith thread, which is okay. He's becoming a focal point

I believe he rushes his opportunities in large part because he doesn't have enough of them. If he gets the basketball, it is often because he killed himself to obtain it. Unlike Denzell, Stith tries to convert those into points and yes, it is often rushed or messy.

If Stith was used like a Frank Hassell, also 6'7, he would be more into the flow of the game and thus more efficient.

Stith is also still getting used to being an offensive player. So much of his offense up to date is putbacks from his strong rebounding that he hasn't gotten comfortable scoring with his back to the basket. He seems to be getting more comfortable in this sense and it takes time to learn the nuances.

(02-16-2016 12:06 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(02-16-2016 11:05 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Stith is listed at 6'7 but that is an archaic way to view a post player. With his wingspan and hands, his 6'7 is much bigger than most everyone else in our conference. Name me a post player in CUSA that can physically matchup with Brandan Stith. He plays bigger than everyone from what I've seen.

6'-10" Uchebo of Charlotte matches up physically, but doesn't exert himself on the defensive end. He is hampered by a knee condition that slows him up. Uchebo is already nearly unstoppable on offense when he catches it in the low post against us and rebounds as well or better than anyone in the league.

If Uchebo was playing against the Jr & Sr year 6'-10" Mark West that played at ODU, he would probably not fare nearly so well. Stith is above average and plays big for a 6'-7" guy, but he doesn't play big for above average 6'-10" (or taller) guys. I believe that plays a big part in why Stith frequently hurries his shots. He is frequently up against taller players and wants to get it up before they can react and block it. Unfortunately, it affects his accuracy and touch on the shot and causes him to miss more than he would otherwise from close range. I think that he will improve on those things over time.

I believe that part of Stith's problem with hurrying shots, and taking more difficult shots than necessary is his inability to shoot freethrows. You see a lot of young bigs that can't shoot freethrows struggle to score because they are trying to avoid the foul. Could be wrong, but that's my take.

(02-16-2016 02:12 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-16-2016 12:06 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(02-16-2016 11:05 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Stith is listed at 6'7 but that is an archaic way to view a post player. With his wingspan and hands, his 6'7 is much bigger than most everyone else in our conference. Name me a post player in CUSA that can physically matchup with Brandan Stith. He plays bigger than everyone from what I've seen.

6'-10" Uchebo of Charlotte matches up physically, but doesn't exert himself on the defensive end. He is hampered by a knee condition that slows him up. Uchebo is already nearly unstoppable on offense when he catches it in the low post against us and rebounds as well or better than anyone in the league.

If Uchebo was playing against the Jr & Sr year 6'-10" Mark West that played at ODU, he would probably not fare nearly so well. Stith is above average and plays big for a 6'-7" guy, but he doesn't play big for above average 6'-10" (or taller) guys. I believe that plays a big part in why Stith frequently hurries his shots. He is frequently up against taller players and wants to get it up before they can react and block it. Unfortunately, it affects his accuracy and touch on the shot and causes him to miss more than he would otherwise from close range. I think that he will improve on those things over time.

I believe that part of Stith's problem with hurrying shots, and taking more difficult shots than necessary is his inability to shoot freethrows. You see a lot of young bigs that can't shoot freethrows struggle to score because they are trying to avoid the foul. Could be wrong, but that's my take.

That's a good point Monarchblue and could very possibly be a contributing factor to him rushing his shots so much. Even if it isn't, he still needs to improve that part of his game (free throw shooting). Going 3 for 10 at the line just isn't anywhere near good enough at this level.

I'm anxious to see what happens with Xavier Green. I am sure he will probably redshirt but if he doesn't, it means Coach Jones believes he can make a MONSTER contribution next year. Contributing will not lead to him playing next year. He will need to be thought of as a star.

There will be an open competition at every spot next year, perhaps even Brandan's (though I'd think he's safe). If someone comes in and plays and practices better than Denzel Taylor, so be it

(02-17-2016 12:36 PM)jumpshooter Wrote:  There will be an open competition at every spot next year, perhaps even Brandan's (though I'd think he's safe). If someone comes in and plays and practices better than Denzel Taylor, so be it

Gonna make a not so bold prediction and say someone will. I know you were just using it as an example.

I agree, i think (actually hope only for the sake of our offense) someone does