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(01-31-2020 03:27 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 03:11 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

If Pilavios is in the frontcourt, we are in trouble. At this point, he would serve better as a third string off guard behind Wade, Oliver, and Green (maybe even behind the incoming freshman.) We definitely need another big, hopefully a true 5.

He's obviously not a great option at this point but he's been improving. Ideally, someone else will come in next year, possibly another recruit that we've been talking to. Alfis certainly not a guard though.

"I'll grant you he has been improving, and I actually like what he is contributing for a guy that plays a few minutes a game, but unless he grows he is not the answer at the 4. The dude is a guard. If you had to take a guard and put them at the 4 I think it would be Wade well before it would be Alfis.

(02-03-2020 09:34 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 03:27 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 03:11 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

If Pilavios is in the frontcourt, we are in trouble. At this point, he would serve better as a third string off guard behind Wade, Oliver, and Green (maybe even behind the incoming freshman.) We definitely need another big, hopefully a true 5.

He's obviously not a great option at this point but he's been improving. Ideally, someone else will come in next year, possibly another recruit that we've been talking to. Alfis certainly not a guard though.

"I'll grant you he has been improving, and I actually like what he is contributing for a guy that plays a few minutes a game, but unless he grows he is not the answer at the 4. The dude is a guard. If you had to take a guard and put them at the 4 I think it would be Wade well before it would be Alfis.

Ive never said he's the answer at the 4. He probably isnt even the first big off the bench next year. He's just depth at the 4 spot. He cannot guard players on the perimeter (will occasionally play on the perimeter in a zone). Reece and Ezikpe should be the starters at the 4 and 5 spot. The two greeks and a newcomer will likely be the bench players. With Wade and O'Connell occasionally seeing time at the 4.

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

I feel a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions two voices cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

LOL.

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

People write players off if they don't play the first year for some reason. See all the people that wrote Reece off last year. Some are probably writing Hunter off.

I've heard good things about Karaiskos so I think there is a decent chance he's a contributor next year.

There are also 3 more scholarships available and there will be some transfers on the market. I expect us to be very active in the JUCO/transfer market. Next years teams has the core to win the conference.

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

During the recruiting cycle prior to last season Jeff brought in 3 big men that could contribute right away so getting 2 isn't nearly as big as you are making it out to be.

(02-03-2020 12:07 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  People write players off if they don't play the first year for some reason. See all the people that wrote Reece off last year. Some are probably writing Hunter off.

I've heard good things about Karaiskos so I think there is a decent chance he's a contributor next year.

There are also 3 more scholarships available and there will be some transfers on the market. I expect us to be very active in the JUCO/transfer market. Next years teams has the core to win the conference.

I don't see why people would have been writing Hunter off if that is true. I do seem to recall you saying a few weeks ago that he wasn't ready to play yet.

I agree with you about ODU hitting the JUCO/transfer market this off season. Hope they can find one or more bigs with the same success that they got Curry last summer.

What "good things" have you heard about Kariiskos???

(02-03-2020 12:48 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 12:07 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  People write players off if they don't play the first year for some reason. See all the people that wrote Reece off last year. Some are probably writing Hunter off.

I've heard good things about Karaiskos so I think there is a decent chance he's a contributor next year.

There are also 3 more scholarships available and there will be some transfers on the market. I expect us to be very active in the JUCO/transfer market. Next years teams has the core to win the conference.

I don't see why people would have been writing Hunter off if that is true. I do seem to recall you saying a few weeks ago that he wasn't ready to play yet.

I agree with you about ODU hitting the JUCO/transfer market this off season. Hope they can find one or more bigs with the same success that they got Curry last summer.

What "good things" have you heard about Kariiskos???

I've heard that he is a terrific shooter. Of course, so was Sam Harris in warmups.

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

Yeah, anything other than a band aid is not happening at this point. It would be possible to get a Jonathan Alredge type contributor that can play right away, but it doesn't help the long-term health of the program or team development. Those are a big part of the reason we are what we are today. Very little team development in this regime, last year's seniors being the exception.

What's your breaking point with this discussion thread?...

(02-03-2020 01:06 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

Yeah, anything other than a band aid is not happening at this point. It would be possible to get a Jonathan Alredge type contributor that can play right away, but it doesn't help the long-term health of the program or team development. Those are a big part of the reason we are what we are today. Very little team development in this regime, last year's seniors being the exception.

Actually, two of last year's seniors were transfers.

But I agree. It's hard to develop freshmen when you don't land any. Now that we have, let's see what JJ can do.

(02-03-2020 01:06 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

Yeah, anything other than a band aid is not happening at this point. It would be possible to get a Jonathan Alredge type contributor that can play right away, but it doesn't help the long-term health of the program or team development. Those are a big part of the reason we are what we are today. Very little team development in this regime, last year's seniors being the exception.

I don't think there is a chance in hell we can get a Jonathan Arledge type player in the transfer portal. Those days are gone.

(02-03-2020 02:14 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:06 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

Yeah, anything other than a band aid is not happening at this point. It would be possible to get a Jonathan Alredge type contributor that can play right away, but it doesn't help the long-term health of the program or team development. Those are a big part of the reason we are what we are today. Very little team development in this regime, last year's seniors being the exception.

I don't think there is a chance in hell we can get a Jonathan Arledge type player in the transfer portal. Those days are gone.

Im not sure why you say that.

Arledge, Porter, Stith, Dickens (tho didn't work out) have all been fairly recent.

(02-03-2020 01:34 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Actually, two of last year's seniors were transfers.

But I agree. It's hard to develop freshmen when you don't land any. Now that we have, let's see what JJ can do.

6 of the top 10 teams have at least 3 transfers on the roster. That's just college basketball in 2020. To say that you "must" get freshmen recruits just isn't true anymore. Sure, you'd love to have kids in your program for 4 years, but it is far rarer now than it's ever been.

(02-03-2020 01:34 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:06 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(01-31-2020 02:10 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Next year we will have Kalu and Reece in the frontcourt with the Pilavious and Karaiskos backing them up. We could use some depth but I'm not sure it will be a grad center. They would likely have to come off the bench behind Ezikpe.

Ezikpe "who hasn't developed" is still only a soph. He's played more minutes. He's rebounded better, more assists and steals, etc. In conference play he has really come on of late. PER of 28 (2nd behind Wade), rebound rate of 23% (1st), ws/40 of .227 (2nd behind Wade). He started slow but has really come on late and played like most of us expected him to.

ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

Yeah, anything other than a band aid is not happening at this point. It would be possible to get a Jonathan Alredge type contributor that can play right away, but it doesn't help the long-term health of the program or team development. Those are a big part of the reason we are what we are today. Very little team development in this regime, last year's seniors being the exception.

Actually, two of last year's seniors were transfers.

But I agree. It's hard to develop freshmen when you don't land any. Now that we have, let's see what JJ can do.

I was speaking of Caver and Stith. Yes, Stith was a transfer, but he was here developing with the team for 4 years and playing for 3 years. We aren't likely going to land another Stith either given there are no more and we all know why we got them to begin with. Robinson, who was a band aid, who aside from a game or two was a warm body needed because Jones didn't recruit any bigs... same circumstance we are talking about here. We aren't moving forward. If anything we are moving backwards because we are out of Stiths.

(02-03-2020 02:22 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:34 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Actually, two of last year's seniors were transfers.

But I agree. It's hard to develop freshmen when you don't land any. Now that we have, let's see what JJ can do.

6 of the top 10 teams have at least 3 transfers on the roster. That's just college basketball in 2020. To say that you "must" get freshmen recruits just isn't true anymore. Sure, you'd love to have kids in your program for 4 years, but it is far rarer now than it's ever been.

We aren't getting any of the transfers the top 10 teams get and none of the top 10 teams are getting transfers because they can't recruit freshmen. You are comparing apples and oranges. A big reason mid majors typically make tournament runs is because they are better teams full of juniors and seniors that have been together. You have to recruit them as freshmen and keep them together. That is how you build a program. A "rebuilding" season is when you have a new recruiting class and it takes them much of the year to develop their roles and responsibilities on the team and gel. The fact that every year in JJ's regime is a rebuilding year is a failure. Just because other teams are also failing to do this is not an excuse.

(02-03-2020 02:22 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:34 PM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  Actually, two of last year's seniors were transfers.

But I agree. It's hard to develop freshmen when you don't land any. Now that we have, let's see what JJ can do.

6 of the top 10 teams have at least 3 transfers on the roster. That's just college basketball in 2020. To say that you "must" get freshmen recruits just isn't true anymore. Sure, you'd love to have kids in your program for 4 years, but it is far rarer now than it's ever been.

No problem with transfers, but I think we've ridden that wave as far as we can and are experiencing it's limits.

I don't think building a team with only transfers can lead to long term success. Aaron Caver looks to be only the second 4 year player under JJ to graduate with the program. We need a few more.

(02-03-2020 02:17 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 02:14 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 01:06 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 11:49 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-03-2020 10:48 AM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  ODU needs to bring in a talented big man this spring / summer that can contribute immediately when the season starts. To be on the safe side they should recruit more than one. If it is a senior transfer that is good enough I am fine with Kalu either coming off the bench as back up, or with him playing the 4 along side of the new center and having Reese coming off the bench.

Karaiskos has not shown anyone here anything at this point to make us say that he would or should be counted on as a backup. For all we know he won't play any more next season than he has this season. I hope he turns out to be great, but I have no reason at all to expect that he will based upon how this season has gone.

Pilavious may improve enough to be a player worthy of getting significant minutes next season, but at this point I don't see it. His first step quickness isn't there which is why players he is guarding get by him with the dribble so easily in the man to man defense. He's timid about putting the ball on the floor. If you watch him play, he typically receives a pass, dribbles one time, and passes. He doesn't shoot that well. Unless he makes significant strides in the off season, and his minutes aren't limited next season, then that will mean that ODU has not recruited as well as they needed to for next season. Hopefully Wade will be recovered and able to play effectively which would also lower Pilavious on the depth chart - neither Wade nor Pilavious should be playing the 4. This season things have fallen apart and necessity has dictated some of the personnel moves on the court.

I was glad to see Hunter finally get a lot of time in the game against LA Tech, and that he made the most of it. Hopefully Jeff will continue to give him similar minutes the remainder of the season.

I don't think anybody (or mostly anybody) is disagreeing with you that we need at least one big that can play right away, I just think that most of us realize that is like asking for a sparkling unicorn that farts rainbows. Those players just aren't really available this late in the game for programs at our level. I would be a massive coup for JJ to pull that out of his ass. There is really only one way for us to get good bigs at this point, and this is to get freshman that need 2 or three years to develop, and even then, there is a decent chance they are going to leave if they do become studs because damn near everybody needs a big that can play, and the P5s will be lining up for anybody who fits that description.

Yeah, anything other than a band aid is not happening at this point. It would be possible to get a Jonathan Alredge type contributor that can play right away, but it doesn't help the long-term health of the program or team development. Those are a big part of the reason we are what we are today. Very little team development in this regime, last year's seniors being the exception.

I don't think there is a chance in hell we can get a Jonathan Arledge type player in the transfer portal. Those days are gone.

Im not sure why you say that.

Arledge, Porter, Stith, Dickens (tho didn't work out) have all been fairly recent.

Arledge and Porter were a different time. Whether it was the perception of our program, or the quickly changing dynamic of the college hoops transfer market, or both, it seems that teams that are similar to us do not ever get bigs that are major contributor at this point.

I didn't include Stith because his dad is the reason we got him, and I didn't include Dickens because he was not good. I mean if you want to tout him as a good get because of his high school rating, that is fine, I guess, but the reality is that he was a stiff that is going to be playing at Hampton because that is the level he is able to compete at.

I just don't understand the comment of a different time. What changed in the last 3 years except that now more transfers are hitting the market?

Dickens was a year (or 2) removed from being a 4 star player. There was a lot of interest in him. Not all players turn out, but there will be plenty of players on the market.