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

(01-08-2017 09:20 AM)AdoptedMonarch Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:56 AM)Tbac3 Wrote:  I believe Porter's best games are yet to come (2+ seasons left). Once he can gain a little weight and more strength he will be even more of a factor. He seems to hesitate a lot when he gets the ball on the low block due to his lack of strength. This will improve.

Small nit -- but I speak from experience. I don't think that Porter's hesitation with the ball comes from lack of strength but instead from a lack of touch. Watching him receive a pass directly under the basket, or collect an offensive rebound, and then have to gather himself before he puts the ball back up, brings back frustrating memories from my competitive play (at a much, much lower level, of course).

Like size, strength, speed and quickness, "soft hands" is one of those skills that some kids have and others don't. Interestingly, one of my coaches advised me to play ping pong, alternating the paddle between hands. It may have just been mental, but it seemed to help, at least a little.

Bottom line, Porter is a fabulous player as is. We are most fortunate that he opted to transfer.

(01-08-2017 09:20 AM)AdoptedMonarch Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:56 AM)Tbac3 Wrote:  I believe Porter's best games are yet to come (2+ seasons left). Once he can gain a little weight and more strength he will be even more of a factor. He seems to hesitate a lot when he gets the ball on the low block due to his lack of strength. This will improve.

Small nit -- but I speak from experience. I don't think that Porter's hesitation with the ball comes from lack of strength but instead from a lack of touch. Watching him receive a pass directly under the basket, or collect an offensive rebound, and then have to gather himself before he puts the ball back up, brings back frustrating memories from my competitive play (at a much, much lower level, of course).

Like size, strength, speed and quickness, "soft hands" is one of those skills that some kids have and others don't. Interestingly, one of my coaches advised me to play ping pong, alternating the paddle between hands. It may have just been mental, but it seemed to help, at least a little.

Bottom line, Porter is a fabulous player as is. We are most fortunate that he opted to transfer.

I thought some of those miscues with the ball were a result of getting bumped off his path. Let's hope he improves with both soft hands and strength. he gives us great length inside and depth.

(01-08-2017 11:08 AM)HeadsetGuy Wrote:  I for one had forgotten that we are integrating so many new players into the rotation, and I was being to focused on short term results.
New players:
BJ- slow start after sitting most of 2 years, lighting it up (much better shooting in motion than set)
Trey- a few color guys told me last year that Porter was a defensive stalwart (correct!) his offense has been a bonus
Randy- looks really lost, may struggle to see time
Travis- the kid has moxie, needs to slow his game down, spend a second or two more for the best pass
Aaron- plays defense well, grabs a board here and there, but seems unwilling to shoot
Alassane- maybe the Stith injury forced the coaching staff to play him, had some flashes in the game vs WKU, I think he plays the rest of the season, 5-6 mins a game

Returners:
Zoran- better of the bench, needs to stay out of doghouse
Ahmad- I still think he is a SG, playing at an all-conference level
Brendan- he's the guy that pulls the fax out of the machine before its done printing, can't seem to wait for plays to develop, tries too hard/plays too fast
Jordan- heart of a lion, has been a revelation shooting the ball from deep
Denzell- its okay to be a glue guy and the little things he always does, but seems to disappear more than in the past
Stephen- I still think he should be on scholarship, played well yesterday, been used more of late, like Kah 5-6 mins a game down the stretch

My view:
Set at PG- Caver is team MVP, Fields doing well
Improved at SG- BJ is emerging (2nd team possible CUSA), Baker is solid, Haynes is lost
fine when Talley is SF- BJ is not as good at SF as SG, Talley may make 2nd team CUSA
mixed bag at PF- Brendan has not played well, Carver won't shoot, Kah and Vassor are specialized role players O/D
Great defensive C, so-so offense, Taylor has plateaued and Porter has been great

Why do you think Caver is a SG?

(01-07-2017 07:09 PM)Fatalisk Wrote:  Down 10 with 16:11 to play. Don't see where the come back is coming from.

We ain't good.

(01-08-2017 12:36 PM)Tbac3 Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 09:20 AM)AdoptedMonarch Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:56 AM)Tbac3 Wrote:  I believe Porter's best games are yet to come (2+ seasons left). Once he can gain a little weight and more strength he will be even more of a factor. He seems to hesitate a lot when he gets the ball on the low block due to his lack of strength. This will improve.

Small nit -- but I speak from experience. I don't think that Porter's hesitation with the ball comes from lack of strength but instead from a lack of touch. Watching him receive a pass directly under the basket, or collect an offensive rebound, and then have to gather himself before he puts the ball back up, brings back frustrating memories from my competitive play (at a much, much lower level, of course).

Like size, strength, speed and quickness, "soft hands" is one of those skills that some kids have and others don't. Interestingly, one of my coaches advised me to play ping pong, alternating the paddle between hands. It may have just been mental, but it seemed to help, at least a little.

Bottom line, Porter is a fabulous player as is. We are most fortunate that he opted to transfer.

I thought some of those miscues with the ball were a result of getting bumped off his path. Let's hope he improves with both soft hands and strength. he gives us great length inside and depth.

I too see the hesitation in Porters game. There was one time he received the ball in the low post with his back to the basket and nobody behind him. He could have had and easy layup but made no move until somebody came up behind him. He has to think too much about what move he's gonna make rather than by instinct. That will improve with experience. But I like that he wants the ball and wants to score. He has the right attitude.

(01-08-2017 12:42 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 11:08 AM)HeadsetGuy Wrote:  I for one had forgotten that we are integrating so many new players into the rotation, and I was being to focused on short term results.
New players:
BJ- slow start after sitting most of 2 years, lighting it up (much better shooting in motion than set)
Trey- a few color guys told me last year that Porter was a defensive stalwart (correct!) his offense has been a bonus
Randy- looks really lost, may struggle to see time
Travis- the kid has moxie, needs to slow his game down, spend a second or two more for the best pass
Aaron- plays defense well, grabs a board here and there, but seems unwilling to shoot
Alassane- maybe the Stith injury forced the coaching staff to play him, had some flashes in the game vs WKU, I think he plays the rest of the season, 5-6 mins a game

Returners:
Zoran- better of the bench, needs to stay out of doghouse
Ahmad- I still think he is a SG, playing at an all-conference level
Brendan- he's the guy that pulls the fax out of the machine before its done printing, can't seem to wait for plays to develop, tries too hard/plays too fast
Jordan- heart of a lion, has been a revelation shooting the ball from deep
Denzell- its okay to be a glue guy and the little things he always does, but seems to disappear more than in the past
Stephen- I still think he should be on scholarship, played well yesterday, been used more of late, like Kah 5-6 mins a game down the stretch

My view:
Set at PG- Caver is team MVP, Fields doing well
Improved at SG- BJ is emerging (2nd team possible CUSA), Baker is solid, Haynes is lost
fine when Talley is SF- BJ is not as good at SF as SG, Talley may make 2nd team CUSA
mixed bag at PF- Brendan has not played well, Carver won't shoot, Kah and Vassor are specialized role players O/D
Great defensive C, so-so offense, Taylor has plateaued and Porter has been great

Why do you think Caver is a SG?

What is a fax machine?

Seriously, it was great to see Kah, but how in the heck did he play long enough to rack up 5 fouls? I must have missed some of his time on the court. Talley & BJ were unstoppable. Zoran's crossover move was sweet. Seemed like he would drive when they played him close and take the jumper when they played off. BJ doesn't have the driving ability but because of his hops he can shoot over anyone in his face. He doesn't need much room. And Caver is doing what he's been doing but now hitting more shots. That is a huge contribution. I hope Brandan can come back soon and add to the momentum.

Here's hoping for an upward trajectory through the conference schedule.

Kah foed almost every time down court. Except the layup.

(01-08-2017 11:13 AM)MonarchCAM Wrote:  I don't think the ASN announcers were actually at the game last night...again. That's why the sound was off, you didn't see them at half time, or any interviews, and at times they sounded lost. I guess is saves money, but it's bush league and leads to bad broadcasts.

Is that why I was hearing whistles and horns before the TV whistles and horns?

Anybody know if we're able to rewatch the game online anywhere? ASN doesn't seem to have a previous aired games section on their website.

ASN will be lots of Saturday remotely announced games coming up, enjoy

(01-07-2017 11:25 PM)757ODU Wrote:  Anybody ready to admit what Giles and I have been preaching? Our point guard is a damn stud.

Anyone ready to admit what Myself and several others have been preaching, we are much better when we don't play the slowest pace in the nation?

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(01-07-2017 11:32 PM)757ODU Wrote:  Monarchblue...We have respect for each other's posts, but I demand respect for the team after this game. I truly believe you, unlike certain others, want the best for the program. Cheers brother.

There is nothing to complain about with this two game stretch. We played the best ball we have all season, and were the best we have been offensively maybe in JJ's entire tenure. I don't think it is a coincidence that we shot better from the field and from the line while playing a faster pace. I also don't have a ton of insight because I was unable to watch either of the games. I listened to the majority on the radio, but its hard to tell exactly what is going on that way.


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(01-08-2017 08:56 AM)Tbac3 Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:51 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 12:49 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 12:46 AM)JJMonarch Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 12:18 AM)Razor Ramon Monarch Wrote:  Please calm down.

Western Kentucky is currently the number 208th ranked tpi team in the country. It's a decent enough win on the road but remember when we used to play jmu and Delaware and Towson and we wouldn't even bat an eyelash when we beat them?

Well wku is basically at that level this year so to quote winston wolf, let's not start sucking each other's popsicles just yet.

It was a good performance, we not only played well offensively but we finally made some FT's.

But holy hell Stansbury is an awful in game coach. He may be a good recruiter but I see why he gets canned everywhere he goes. They don't look anywhere close to the team they were under Ray Harper.

Cusa is kind of a dumpster fire this year yet again.

The only good teams (top 100 rpi) are Marshall and middle tenn st. and Marshall is barely top 100.

I'm afraid if we run up our win totals against a horrible big south level conference many of our less informed fanbase will see that as progress when really we are still treading water as far as the big picture goes. Guess we will see what happens.

It's comical how we can win a game and you want to make sure the fan base doesn't overreact to a win but we lose a game or even fall behind at halftime and you want to proclaim that we have a horrible coach, horrible players, etc. why can't you enjoy a good road win? I guess it's hard for you to understand that a Jeff Jones team could actually make some adjustments and improve in some areas.

I enjoyed it and gave the team credit for playing well.

Now I want to see them play like that in multiple games in a row and not regress again offensively, that is the point.

But nice overreaction, who could possibly have seen that coming with this fanbase lol.

Won without our starting big man. Showed that Kah CAN get a few minutes here and there. These extra minutes for Porter right now are going to come up big at the end of the year. Team is improving every time they take the floor. I hope proving that we can knock down some shots will open up the lane for Brandan a little

I believe Porter's best games are yet to come (2+ seasons left). Once he can gain a little weight and more strength he will be even more of a factor. He seems to hesitate a lot when he gets the ball on the low block due to his lack of strength. This will improve.

I agree. I think it is 80% about confidence for Trey. He has good skills around the basket, he just needs to trust them. He turns the wrong way to avoid shot blockers way too often. He is big enough and that little hook is good enough that when he gets the ball and just turns and shoots he is hard to defend.

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(01-08-2017 09:10 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 09:03 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:31 AM)blewbyu Wrote:  I think it is safe to say at this point we are a much better team when we play at a faster pace. We are a good athletic team that seems to find more of a rhythm at a faster pace. Plus they seem to relax a bit when they are not having to shot the ball as the clock counts down 4,3,2,1 every trip down the floor. I think the kids enjoy it more and I know as a fan it is much better entertainment.

We didnt really play at a much faster pace, we were just more efficient. It is clear they are trying to get out in transition more though for sure. We had a couple chances where ccaver hit the bigs down dloor over the top but the bigs hesitated and then just dribbled out.

Caver, Talley, and BJ really carried us this week. Disappointing effort from Baker, but I dont know how much we can get away with BJ at the 2 defensivley.

For us to be a good team, I thought BJ and Zoran would have to get the majority of minutes at the 2 and 3. That would mean they would have to play great defense. At the end of the year, we saw Zoran get the minutes over Baker.

Completely agree. I love JB, but it is a GOOD sign when he is less of a factor.

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We didn't play all that well at Marshall. Decent on offense (1 ppp) and good enough to win (against terrible defense), but defense really let us down.

We played really well vs. WKY.

(01-08-2017 08:28 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  We didn't play all that well at Marshall. Decent on offense (1 ppp) and good enough to win (against terrible defense), but defense really let us down.

We played really well vs. WKY.

Correct. The growth of confidence offensively in the Marshall game was pleasing but defensively we were, by our standards, awful. We are far better than them.

Hey we must of played half way decent defense in the first half against Marshall since we held them in the 20's with Stith still in the game. Btw, did you see they put up 110 on Charlotte this weekend? Man, that's something like the running Monarchs of Sonny Allen used to do!

(01-08-2017 08:03 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-07-2017 11:25 PM)757ODU Wrote:  Anybody ready to admit what Giles and I have been preaching? Our point guard is a damn stud.

Anyone ready to admit what Myself and several others have been preaching, we are much better when we don't play the slowest pace in the nation?

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I know you are being snarky, but I didn't believe we could be successful at a faster pace until I saw it the last two games. Until then our attempts to push it looked awkward. I don't know if the better shooting is a result of the pace, or if the pace increased because we were hitting shots. Probably more of the former than latter. But we played almost perfect basketball late in the second half of WKU. Good offense and great defense combined. I'd like to see more of that effort.

cerebral vs instinctive Got to have the right balance and I think they found it. JJ must have been reading this board and took our advice

(01-09-2017 12:15 PM)Chillie Willie Wrote:  

(01-08-2017 08:03 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(01-07-2017 11:25 PM)757ODU Wrote:  Anybody ready to admit what Giles and I have been preaching? Our point guard is a damn stud.

Anyone ready to admit what Myself and several others have been preaching, we are much better when we don't play the slowest pace in the nation?

Sent from my Pixel C using Tapatalk

I know you are being snarky, but I didn't believe we could be successful at a faster pace until I saw it the last two games. Until then our attempts to push it looked awkward. I don't know if the better shooting is a result of the pace, or if the pace increased because we were hitting shots. Probably more of the former than latter. But we played almost perfect basketball late in the second half of WKU. Good offense and great defense combined. I'd like to see more of that effort.

I can understand your thought process, but I am not necessarily advocate running a ton of fast breaks (you are right, we struggle with that at times), but moreso just getting the ball up the court quickly and attacking the defense before they are locked in. We rebound well, so getting a rebound, quickly outletting, and trying to get a good early look is something I think we should be able to do well.