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

(02-07-2020 10:24 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  All we need is a stud center and we will be a force next year. This is what we’re looking at:

1: Curry (sen) and Hunter (soph)
2: Green (sen), AJ (jr), Wade (jr)
3/4: Reece (jr), Kalu (jr), Wade (jr), Greeks (jr)
5: ?

Next year is extremely promising if we can just land an impactful big.

What makes you think a team that a 9-15 this year is going to be fantastic next year? Forget the stud big man. That ain't happening.

Sure they will be better, probably quite a bit better, but to extrapolate what we have seen this year into a conference champion next year seems like a massive stretch.

And I know players improve, before someone gives me that canned response. Players don't often improve enough to turn a 12 win team into a 25 win team.

It seems there is some reality distortion going on with some folks on this topic. Maybe it's because this group is extremely likable, they really are. I actually enjoy watching this year's team more than last year's in many ways, but I just can't imagine how they magically become the powerhouse that some predict they will by adding a wing, who I like, but doesn't fill any of this team's holes, and big who, at best, will likely be someone like Elbert Robinson.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

(02-08-2020 12:12 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 10:24 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  All we need is a stud center and we will be a force next year. This is what we’re looking at:

1: Curry (sen) and Hunter (soph)
2: Green (sen), AJ (jr), Wade (jr)
3/4: Reece (jr), Kalu (jr), Wade (jr), Greeks (jr)
5: ?

Next year is extremely promising if we can just land an impactful big.

What makes you think a team that a 9-15 this year is going to be fantastic next year? Forget the stud big man. That ain't happening.

Sure they will be better, probably quite a bit better, but to extrapolate what we have seen this year into a conference champion next year seems like a massive stretch.

And I know players improve, before someone gives me that canned response. Players don't often improve enough to turn a 12 win team into a 25 win team.

It seems there is some reality distortion going on with some folks on this topic. Maybe it's because this group is extremely likable, they really are. I actually enjoy watching this year's team more than last year's in many ways, but I just can't imagine how they magically become the powerhouse that some predict they will by adding a wing, who I like, but doesn't fill any of this team's holes, and big who, at best, will likely be someone like Elbert Robinson.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Delusions always trump rational thought.

(02-08-2020 12:12 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 10:24 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  All we need is a stud center and we will be a force next year. This is what we’re looking at:

1: Curry (sen) and Hunter (soph)
2: Green (sen), AJ (jr), Wade (jr)
3/4: Reece (jr), Kalu (jr), Wade (jr), Greeks (jr)
5: ?

Next year is extremely promising if we can just land an impactful big.

What makes you think a team that a 9-15 this year is going to be fantastic next year? Forget the stud big man. That ain't happening.

Sure they will be better, probably quite a bit better, but to extrapolate what we have seen this year into a conference champion next year seems like a massive stretch.

And I know players improve, before someone gives me that canned response. Players don't often improve enough to turn a 12 win team into a 25 win team.

It seems there is some reality distortion going on with some folks on this topic. Maybe it's because this group is extremely likable, they really are. I actually enjoy watching this year's team more than last year's in many ways, but I just can't imagine how they magically become the powerhouse that some predict they will by adding a wing, who I like, but doesn't fill any of this team's holes, and big who, at best, will likely be someone like Elbert Robinson.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

An improvement of about 4 points per game would have netted us about 7 additional wins already.

Hey I know we all want “next year”, to be the year. Again. Well, I thought we were gonna be fairly good this year with our returning players being so much better. Except the two I thought were gonna be really good this year seemed to return the exact same or even worse , that being Dickens and Godwin. So the auto improvement theory from one year to the next doesn’t always work I guess. I’m really worried about Wade returning in tack. Although I have yet to read anyway official that Wade tore his ACL, if he did in fact, he may not be the same player.

The good side though is that our kids seem to play hard, very hard, so I’d expect them to come back next year fired up. But, to get this program back to 23-27 game wins it is gonna boil down to who we bring in next year. To my way of thinking at least two of the three new players are gonna need to be ready to help out from day one. So, might mean two grad transfers and a juco or a rookie with a lot of promise. If we can get them. Need an Arledge or Painter type to be able to step in right away .

If people think next years team will be great, thats one thing. If they think it a conference championship type, thats a totally reasonable belief.

(02-08-2020 08:02 AM)mac Wrote:  Hey I know we all want “next year”, to be the year. Again. Well, I thought we were gonna be fairly good this year with our returning players being so much better. Except the two I thought were gonna be really good this year seemed to return the exact same or even worse , that being Dickens and Godwin. So the auto improvement theory from one year to the next doesn’t always work I guess. I’m really worried about Wade returning in tack. Although I have yet to read anyway official that Wade tore his ACL, if he did in fact, he may not be the same player.

The good side though is that our kids seem to play hard, very hard, so I’d expect them to come back next year fired up. But, to get this program back to 23-27 game wins it is gonna boil down to who we bring in next year. To my way of thinking at least two of the three new players are gonna need to be ready to help out from day one. So, might mean two grad transfers and a juco or a rookie with a lot of promise. If we can get them. Need an Arledge or Painter type to be able to step in right away .

Mac, you are exactly right improvement is not automatic, but this team has a lot of pieces in place with just what’s returning to be very good. It can be turned around in just one year. Just look down the road at Richmond this year. They were something like 20 losses last year and now they are a bubble team with basically their starting lineup returning and fans were begging to fire the coach. They even put up a billboard in Richmond saying he should be fired.

This sophomore class we have could be one of our best ever. Wade was a stud until he went down. This team ( which some refuse to admit) was turning the corner and beginning to play very good basketball until his injury and following the departure of Dickens and Godwin. How about Oliver? When was the last time we had a sophomore that has had the impact of Oliver? He is better than BJ was as a sophomore. We would probably have to go back to Gerald Lee to see a sophomore that is making an impact like Oliver or even Wade. Let’s throw in Kalu. We know he has a tremendous upside. Everybody says we need a stud big man. We might have him in Kalu. Sure, he has been inconsistent but the talent is there. And then there is Reece, he has shown flashes as well. At times he is a train wreck but there are other times he looks awesome. Even the naysayers admit this group works hard and I expect to see that same work ethic in the offseason.

I didn’t even mention the juniors but Curry may be the best player on the team. He has improved tremendously in just this season. An off-season of working with these guys could pay huge dividends. Green has struggled this season but we also all know he can play a lot better. Throw in Hunter having a year to grow and this team has the potential to go a long way next year.

Obviously we do need some additions to make a championship run next year but I don’t think we need a stud to go with this team. We need some solid players to fill out our roster that will contribute. On paper the freshman from NC looks like he fills the bill.

It’s frustrating that some of our fans just look at the record and give up on us ever having a chance to be good with these guys. As you mentioned we have lost 6 games by 3 points or less and one other in OT. Our record sucks and it’s been a tough year in a lot of areas but I truly believe this team has the makeup to be very strong next year.

(02-08-2020 07:59 AM)ODUBB35 Wrote:  

(02-08-2020 12:12 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 10:24 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  All we need is a stud center and we will be a force next year. This is what we’re looking at:

1: Curry (sen) and Hunter (soph)
2: Green (sen), AJ (jr), Wade (jr)
3/4: Reece (jr), Kalu (jr), Wade (jr), Greeks (jr)
5: ?

Next year is extremely promising if we can just land an impactful big.

What makes you think a team that a 9-15 this year is going to be fantastic next year? Forget the stud big man. That ain't happening.

Sure they will be better, probably quite a bit better, but to extrapolate what we have seen this year into a conference champion next year seems like a massive stretch.

And I know players improve, before someone gives me that canned response. Players don't often improve enough to turn a 12 win team into a 25 win team.

It seems there is some reality distortion going on with some folks on this topic. Maybe it's because this group is extremely likable, they really are. I actually enjoy watching this year's team more than last year's in many ways, but I just can't imagine how they magically become the powerhouse that some predict they will by adding a wing, who I like, but doesn't fill any of this team's holes, and big who, at best, will likely be someone like Elbert Robinson.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

An improvement of about 4 points per game would have netted us about 7 additional wins already.

Other teams improve too so not necessarily.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

(02-08-2020 08:02 AM)mac Wrote:  Hey I know we all want “next year”, to be the year. Again. Well, I thought we were gonna be fairly good this year with our returning players being so much better. Except the two I thought were gonna be really good this year seemed to return the exact same or even worse , that being Dickens and Godwin. So the auto improvement theory from one year to the next doesn’t always work I guess. I’m really worried about Wade returning in tack. Although I have yet to read anyway official that Wade tore his ACL, if he did in fact, he may not be the same player.

The good side though is that our kids seem to play hard, very hard, so I’d expect them to come back next year fired up. But, to get this program back to 23-27 game wins it is gonna boil down to who we bring in next year. To my way of thinking at least two of the three new players are gonna need to be ready to help out from day one. So, might mean two grad transfers and a juco or a rookie with a lot of promise. If we can get them. Need an Arledge or Painter type to be able to step in right away .

Mac, you are exactly right improvement is not automatic, but this team has a lot of pieces in place with just what’s returning to be very good. It can be turned around in just one year. Just look down the road at Richmond this year. They were something like 20 losses last year and now they are a bubble team with basically their starting lineup returning and fans were begging to fire the coach. They even put up a billboard in Richmond saying he should be fired.

This sophomore class we have could be one of our best ever. Wade was a stud until he went down. This team ( which some refuse to admit) was turning the corner and beginning to play very good basketball until his injury and following the departure of Dickens and Godwin. How about Oliver? When was the last time we had a sophomore that has had the impact of Oliver? He is better than BJ was as a sophomore. We would probably have to go back to Gerald Lee to see a sophomore that is making an impact like Oliver or even Wade. Let’s throw in Kalu. We know he has a tremendous upside. Everybody says we need a stud big man. We might have him in Kalu. Sure, he has been inconsistent but the talent is there. And then there is Reece, he has shown flashes as well. At times he is a train wreck but there are other times he looks awesome. Even the naysayers admit this group works hard and I expect to see that same work ethic in the offseason.

I didn’t even mention the juniors but Curry may be the best player on the team. He has improved tremendously in just this season. An off-season of working with these guys could pay huge dividends. Green has struggled this season but we also all know he can play a lot better. Throw in Hunter having a year to grow and this team has the potential to go a long way next year.

Obviously we do need some additions to make a championship run next year but I don’t think we need a stud to go with this team. We need some solid players to fill out our roster that will contribute. On paper the freshman from NC looks like he fills the bill.

It’s frustrating that some of our fans just look at the record and give up on us ever having a chance to be good with these guys. As you mentioned we have lost 6 games by 3 points or less and one other in OT. Our record sucks and it’s been a tough year in a lot of areas but I truly believe this team has the makeup to be very strong next year.
[/quote]

I love you man but when you said Oliver was better than BJ as a sophmore, you lost me. I like Oliver but he’s a one dimensional shooter type. BJ did so much more, could play inside or out. Played very good defense too. Hopefully he can grow and expand his game: regarding Wade. We can only hope he comes back from this serious setback and us 90% as good as he was, not a given at all. Zip, shows flashes then retreats. Second season is almost over, time to step up. Plus, we need someone taller on our squad. Taller and good!

From ODU sports on BJ.

2016-17: Received the team's Cal Bowdler Most Improved Player Award … Appeared in all 31 possible games, making 26 starts … Finished the season as the team's third leading scorer … Averaged 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per contest in conference play … Shot 79.4% from the free-throw line, which ranked fifth in Conference USA … Poured in a career best 22 points at WKU (Jan. 7, 2017) … Hauled down a career high 10 rebounds at UAB (Feb. 11, 2

(02-08-2020 09:53 AM)mac Wrote:  

(02-08-2020 08:02 AM)mac Wrote:  Hey I know we all want “next year”, to be the year. Again. Well, I thought we were gonna be fairly good this year with our returning players being so much better. Except the two I thought were gonna be really good this year seemed to return the exact same or even worse , that being Dickens and Godwin. So the auto improvement theory from one year to the next doesn’t always work I guess. I’m really worried about Wade returning in tack. Although I have yet to read anyway official that Wade tore his ACL, if he did in fact, he may not be the same player.

The good side though is that our kids seem to play hard, very hard, so I’d expect them to come back next year fired up. But, to get this program back to 23-27 game wins it is gonna boil down to who we bring in next year. To my way of thinking at least two of the three new players are gonna need to be ready to help out from day one. So, might mean two grad transfers and a juco or a rookie with a lot of promise. If we can get them. Need an Arledge or Painter type to be able to step in right away .

Mac, you are exactly right improvement is not automatic, but this team has a lot of pieces in place with just what’s returning to be very good. It can be turned around in just one year. Just look down the road at Richmond this year. They were something like 20 losses last year and now they are a bubble team with basically their starting lineup returning and fans were begging to fire the coach. They even put up a billboard in Richmond saying he should be fired.

This sophomore class we have could be one of our best ever. Wade was a stud until he went down. This team ( which some refuse to admit) was turning the corner and beginning to play very good basketball until his injury and following the departure of Dickens and Godwin. How about Oliver? When was the last time we had a sophomore that has had the impact of Oliver? He is better than BJ was as a sophomore. We would probably have to go back to Gerald Lee to see a sophomore that is making an impact like Oliver or even Wade. Let’s throw in Kalu. We know he has a tremendous upside. Everybody says we need a stud big man. We might have him in Kalu. Sure, he has been inconsistent but the talent is there. And then there is Reece, he has shown flashes as well. At times he is a train wreck but there are other times he looks awesome. Even the naysayers admit this group works hard and I expect to see that same work ethic in the offseason.

I didn’t even mention the juniors but Curry may be the best player on the team. He has improved tremendously in just this season. An off-season of working with these guys could pay huge dividends. Green has struggled this season but we also all know he can play a lot better. Throw in Hunter having a year to grow and this team has the potential to go a long way next year.

Obviously we do need some additions to make a championship run next year but I don’t think we need a stud to go with this team. We need some solid players to fill out our roster that will contribute. On paper the freshman from NC looks like he fills the bill.

It’s frustrating that some of our fans just look at the record and give up on us ever having a chance to be good with these guys. As you mentioned we have lost 6 games by 3 points or less and one other in OT. Our record sucks and it’s been a tough year in a lot of areas but I truly believe this team has the makeup to be very strong next year.

I love you man but when you said Oliver was better than BJ as a sophmore, you lost me. I like Oliver but he’s a one dimensional shooter type. BJ did so much more, could play inside or out. Played very good defense too. Hopefully he can grow and expand his game: regarding Wade. We can only hope he comes back from this serious setback and us 90% as good as he was, not a given at all. Zip, shows flashes then retreats. Second season is almost over, time to step up. Plus, we need someone taller on our squad. Taller and good!

From ODU sports on BJ.

2016-17: Received the team's Cal Bowdler Most Improved Player Award … Appeared in all 31 possible games, making 26 starts … Finished the season as the team's third leading scorer … Averaged 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per contest in conference play … Shot 79.4% from the free-throw line, which ranked fifth in Conference USA … Poured in a career best 22 points at WKU (Jan. 7, 2017) … Hauled down a career high 10 rebounds at UAB (Feb. 11, 2
[/quote]

I can’t argue with those numbers on BJ Mac. I knew he was good that season but didn’t realize he was that good. But Oliver in his short season has shown he could be a star. He should only get better.

Actually, BJ was not better as a soph than Oliver is now. It's not even really close. The only thing BJ did better as a soph was rebound was shoot more. That doesn't mean Oliver will be better as a junior and senior but there is hope that that can happen.

PER 15.3 - 16.3
TS%- 47%- 55%
Reb%- 10.5- 6.9
Tov%- 9.9- 7.9
3P%- 27%- 36%

(02-08-2020 12:12 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(02-07-2020 10:24 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  All we need is a stud center and we will be a force next year. This is what we’re looking at:

1: Curry (sen) and Hunter (soph)
2: Green (sen), AJ (jr), Wade (jr)
3/4: Reece (jr), Kalu (jr), Wade (jr), Greeks (jr)
5: ?

Next year is extremely promising if we can just land an impactful big.

What makes you think a team that a 9-15 this year is going to be fantastic next year? Forget the stud big man. That ain't happening.

Sure they will be better, probably quite a bit better, but to extrapolate what we have seen this year into a conference champion next year seems like a massive stretch.

And I know players improve, before someone gives me that canned response. Players don't often improve enough to turn a 12 win team into a 25 win team.

It seems there is some reality distortion going on with some folks on this topic. Maybe it's because this group is extremely likable, they really are. I actually enjoy watching this year's team more than last year's in many ways, but I just can't imagine how they magically become the powerhouse that some predict they will by adding a wing, who I like, but doesn't fill any of this team's holes, and big who, at best, will likely be someone like Elbert Robinson.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

I’m glad my comment sparked a flurry of discussion. You covered the counterpoints, so I won’t be redundant by repeating them. But a meaningful presence in the post/paint would be huge for our team. We would have won the UTSA game if we could have pulled down a couple of critical rebounds - or if Wade was still playing. And I realize UTSA is not a good team, but their shooting performance the other night was exceptional.

I have noticed you view a situation almost entirely based on the metrics. For example, we only have won nine games; therefore, we are an awful team. Another example, we have only been to the dance once in the past several years; therefore, our program has declined and is destitute. I just don’t think in the same absolute terms. I think the team this year is better than their record and will be significantly improved next year for the reasons you already noted - plus the addition of a talented big - which I do have faith we will land. Also, we lost two close CUSAT championship games (when we had Freeman), and easily could have been to the dance three times vs one. But again, I don’t view a situation strictly based on the final metrics.

(02-08-2020 10:43 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Actually, BJ was not better as a soph than Oliver is now. It's not even really close. The only thing BJ did better as a soph was rebound was shoot more. That doesn't mean Oliver will be better as a junior and senior but there is hope that that can happen.

PER 15.3 - 16.3
TS%- 47%- 55%
Reb%- 10.5- 6.9
Tov%- 9.9- 7.9
3P%- 27%- 36%

Aside from the stats, I think BJ was the better shooter. Of course we haven't even seen half a season from Oliver so that opinion could change. But Oliver seems to pick his shots carefully. He only shoots when he's wide open. BJ would shoot with players in his face because he could always rise above them. That and his occasional shooting slumps probably led to lower %. Maybe Oliver doesn't shoot well under pressure and knows his limitations. Players like Jackson will shoot it in any situation. It would be nice to see us run more plays to get Oliver open. Right now most of his shots seem to come off a Curry drive and kick out. And mac (I think) said one dimensional. If by one dimensional you mean Oliver is only a jump shooter, I disagree. He will occasionally drive and even sometimes take it all the way. I definitely think he can develop that part more.

Oliver def. doesn't have the variety of scoring options yet that BJ had...BJ could post up as well. But Oliver is much quicker and is a better shooter. AJ needs to continue to expand on is game.

But, Oliver doesn't really have anyone to get him the ball in different spots either. Green isn't a playmaker and Curry doesn't look to dish when driving. And he hasn't mastered running the offense yet.

What we have in place right now is a core of good (not great) players. They play hard and give everything they have for the team. The problem is they haven't been dealt a full deck! They have good enough players at the 1-4 positions but don't have anything at the 5 and it is killing them. Kalu, Reece and Carver are having to fill in at the 5 because there is no other option and we are not able to hang in with most teams. Thank goodness the CUSA is weak this year at the 5 position or we would be in worse position then we are. All this has to fall directly into JJ's lack or inability to recruit big men. Has always been his problem as a coach. We can look into next year and after all we want to but there is no 6'10" + in it. Seems like we always have to cross our fingers and hope one appears as a transfer and usually we take whatever we can get. JJ's recruiting is the downfall of his teams He does a good job with what he has but this weakness isn't fair to the ones on the team that have to endure this problem. The future of this team's success isn't with JJ!

Anyone who thinks GOOD Sophomores don't turn into GREAT Seniors quite frequently, must not have a very long history watching CBB. Green will likely be an All-Conference player. Wade (assuming he comes back healthy) will be an All-Conference player. Curry, Ezikpe, and Oliver will likely be fringe All-Conference players, as well. Reece has shown tremendous upside, but he's still raw. If he can play under control and refine his skills, he could be a very good player.

The difference this season between 15 wins and 25 wins would have been 1-2 players making marginally more progress over the offseason than they already did. We have five players who should make pretty noticeable leaps next year. I'm not putting a ton of stock in Green making a big jump, but he can't regress. If only 4 players make a noticeable jump in progress next year, we'll likely be in the hunt for a Conference Championship.

(02-11-2020 09:08 AM)T-Mac Wrote:  Anyone who thinks GOOD Sophomores don't turn into GREAT Seniors quite frequently, must not have a very long history watching CBB. Green will likely be an All-Conference player. Wade (assuming he comes back healthy) will be an All-Conference player. Curry, Ezikpe, and Oliver will likely be fringe All-Conference players, as well. Reece has shown tremendous upside, but he's still raw. If he can play under control and refine his skills, he could be a very good player.

The difference this season between 15 wins and 25 wins would have been 1-2 players making marginally more progress over the offseason than they already did. We have five players who should make pretty noticeable leaps next year. I'm not putting a ton of stock in Green making a big jump, but he can't regress. If only 4 players make a noticeable jump in progress next year, we'll likely be in the hunt for a Conference Championship.

I never said the core of players we have now will not be good or even great! I said we are lacking a big man to take pressure off of Reece and Ezipke. It is not fair to expect them to have to battle against taller more dominant players. I honestly feel that we are 1 quality big man away from going to the dance next year and making a statement.

(02-11-2020 09:44 AM)BigBlueBobby Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 09:08 AM)T-Mac Wrote:  Anyone who thinks GOOD Sophomores don't turn into GREAT Seniors quite frequently, must not have a very long history watching CBB. Green will likely be an All-Conference player. Wade (assuming he comes back healthy) will be an All-Conference player. Curry, Ezikpe, and Oliver will likely be fringe All-Conference players, as well. Reece has shown tremendous upside, but he's still raw. If he can play under control and refine his skills, he could be a very good player.

The difference this season between 15 wins and 25 wins would have been 1-2 players making marginally more progress over the offseason than they already did. We have five players who should make pretty noticeable leaps next year. I'm not putting a ton of stock in Green making a big jump, but he can't regress. If only 4 players make a noticeable jump in progress next year, we'll likely be in the hunt for a Conference Championship.

I never said the core of players we have now will not be good or even great! I said we are lacking a big man to take pressure off of Reece and Ezipke. It is not fair to expect them to have to battle against taller more dominant players. I honestly feel that we are 1 quality big man away from going to the dance next year and making a statement.

Which taller, more dominant players have they gone against?

The Future...since we will never really know, here goes.

• We get an invite to the ACC
• We win a National Championship in Basketball
• We win a national championship in Football
• We are called the best university of all time
• JJ wins National Coach of the year 6 times
  

All that and people still *****....

Sounds about right

(02-11-2020 10:11 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 09:44 AM)BigBlueBobby Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 09:08 AM)T-Mac Wrote:  Anyone who thinks GOOD Sophomores don't turn into GREAT Seniors quite frequently, must not have a very long history watching CBB. Green will likely be an All-Conference player. Wade (assuming he comes back healthy) will be an All-Conference player. Curry, Ezikpe, and Oliver will likely be fringe All-Conference players, as well. Reece has shown tremendous upside, but he's still raw. If he can play under control and refine his skills, he could be a very good player.

The difference this season between 15 wins and 25 wins would have been 1-2 players making marginally more progress over the offseason than they already did. We have five players who should make pretty noticeable leaps next year. I'm not putting a ton of stock in Green making a big jump, but he can't regress. If only 4 players make a noticeable jump in progress next year, we'll likely be in the hunt for a Conference Championship.

I never said the core of players we have now will not be good or even great! I said we are lacking a big man to take pressure off of Reece and Ezipke. It is not fair to expect them to have to battle against taller more dominant players. I honestly feel that we are 1 quality big man away from going to the dance next year and making a statement.

Which taller, more dominant players have they gone against?

That's exactly what the fans of other teams can say when they look at ODU versus their own team (no matter how big or small they may be in the post). Mediocrity against mediocrity proves nothing. We're talking about getting ODU back to where it should and used to be. That includes having a post PRESENCE, not merely having someone playing in the post.

VCU, FIU, and Richmond all had either taller or more dominant players at center then ODU had. Had the WKU center (Bassey) not gotten a season ending injury you could surely add him to the list. ODU hasn't played conference leader North Texas yet and they have a pretty good center that given the opportunity ODU would certainly like to have. One could make a case that W & M does as well. Heck, even lowly JMU's 6'-8" center took it to ODU's centers and as bad of a season as they are having, they defeated ODU in Norfolk. NOTE- I'm not saying the JMU center IS great, but he played great against ODU's centers.

If you don't see that ODU needs SIGNIFICANT improvement at the center position then I'm afraid you are simply stuck in a defenseless position and no one will ever be able to convince you any differently. It is one of the major reasons that ODU is under .500 this season.