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(11-29-2018 02:33 PM)AdoptedMonarch Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 02:27 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  One thing I remember from last night that should be worked on today, helping DaJour when he's the outlet on a press. Dude was just standing with the ball for what seemed like an eternity right around half court.

My wife actually commented when that happened: "Oh, I was so afraid he was about to start dribbling toward the wrong basket."

Dickens will be more than fine. Last night's game was played at a very fast pace. He clearly was able to keep up, even if it occasionally looked like didn't know what to do or where to be at times.

I know he will be. He was a big key in keeping us alive in the first half and his length really disturbed a bunch of shots last night. And I can't wait until he gets a better feel for this offense, especially with his mid range game. I just felt awful for him in that moment.

A couple of observations:

These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

VCU opened 6-9 from three, then nada (0-11 rest of game). When nada happens, VCU is very one-dimensional...kamikaze drives into the pack-the-paint D and a couple of 7 footers (the blocks took their toll, they missed inside shots as well).

Ball control was key 1 for ODU. ODU committed just 9 TOs (VCU forces 17/g) and VCU got just 1 steal (avg 7/g) and 6 pts off TOs (and just 3 fast break pts). Caver shot poorly, but they could not speed him up or get ODU frantic...he also drew at least 4 fouls by stopping quickly and getting run over by the cheat defender coming from behind. That's senior leadership and give JJ and staff credit for having the players properly spaced (there were few double teams that resulted in traps).

ORBs were the other key. The VCU pressure resulted in short shot clocks on most half-court possessions and many forced shots (credit JJ and staff for this shortcoming as well, ODU does not find open shooters early on too many possessions). 15 ORBs for 15 second chance points in a 62-52 game is huge.

I think Elbert Robinson is going to be heard from before the season is over. Had some nice back-to-the-basket moves and blocks. I know he's had some injuries in his career but may be starting to get his game legs.

[quote='bigblue78' pid='15715497' dateline='1543520668']
A couple of observations:

These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

VCU opened 6-9 from three, then nada (0-11 rest of game). When nada happens, VCU is very one-dimensional...kamikaze drives into the pack-the-paint D and a couple of 7 footers (the blocks took their toll, they missed inside shots as well).

Ball control was key 1 for ODU. ODU committed just 9 TOs (VCU forces 17/g) and VCU got just 1 steal (avg 7/g) and 6 pts off TOs (and just 3 fast break pts). Caver shot poorly, but they could not speed him up or get ODU frantic...he also drew at least 4 fouls by stopping quickly and getting run over by the cheat defender coming from behind. That's senior leadership and give JJ and staff credit for having the players properly spaced (there were few double teams that resulted in traps).

ORBs were the other key. The VCU pressure resulted in short shot clocks on most half-court possessions and many forced shots (credit JJ and staff for this shortcoming as well, ODU does not find open shooters early on too many possessions). 15 ORBs for 15 second chance points in a 62-52 game is huge.
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Good points!

(11-29-2018 02:44 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

This is spot on. Both teams play hard. I thought the biggest difference was we played hard even when things weren't going our way. VCU seemed to let up on their effort when things started going awry for them. I credit our senior leadership and our coaching for that. Everyone on this board knows I'm a fan of Mike Rhoades, but last night, Jones clearly got the better of him.

By the way, it is really funny to me that the VCU board thinks they are the better team. I didn't see it that way at all. I think we beat that Rams team 70% of the time. VCU fans should be more worried that while our two senior guards really make us go, our young guys (Green, Godwin, Dickens, and Wade) were better than any of the young guys they seemed to have on their roster.

I don't worry about who is starting, but when we need buckets, I like the lineup of Caver, Wade (or Godwin), Green, Stith, and Dickens. Caver and Stith both rebound well for their size, and Wade showed us last night that he's not afraid to stick his nose in there, as well.

BJ has played the 4 spot 58% of the time he's on the court over the past 5 games.

Our most popular lineup has been Caver, Green, BJ, Carver, Dickens...but thats only 15% of the time. In almost every other lineup combination, there is no Carver (except a tiny stint with him at the 5)

Basically, we are:

1-Caver
2/3- Green/Godwin/Wade
4- Stith
5- Dickens/Robinson the large part of the time.

Id like to see more Ezikpe

Robinson has huge potential. Happy to hear that he has a positive attitude and looking for constant improvement. Right now AC is still outplaying him just by the sheer fact of being in the right place at the right time. Robinson missed a few assignments last night (one of BJ's passes to nobody was supposed to go to where Robinson was supposed to be). I also hope to see more Ezikpe and not just as a resort when the 7-footers are in foul trouble. We have some potential to be a deep team once Robinson and Dickens are up to speed. Hope we get there sooner than later and don't drop any head scratchers along the way.

Watched the replay and laughed over and over at the announcers bringing up how it would be difficult to come back due to our pace/lack of offense.

It's like people don't understand how quickly a basketball game can change.

(11-29-2018 02:32 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  There is a role for Carver. He has his strengths and I have no problem with him playing 10-15 mins per game. I think Taylor was a little bit better though. He did make his shots that he took and was a very good passer. He was a better rebounder than Carver. His biggest issue was his turned the ball over way too much. I think Carver is a better defender though.

I think he's a bit more nimble or a bit faster than Taylor was. I don't remember Taylor ever even attempted to drive at the rim like Carver has flashed a couple of times.

Do remember that Carver is only a Junior right now. Still has time to add things to his game. He doesn't need to be a star, just a blue collar player. I think he needs to put a ton of time into making putback shots, weird opportunistic dunks, and short bunny hop shots. Doesn't need to bring more offense than that for the role that he plays.

(11-29-2018 03:44 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 02:44 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

This is spot on. Both teams play hard. I thought the biggest difference was we played hard even when things weren't going our way. VCU seemed to let up on their effort when things started going awry for them. I credit our senior leadership and our coaching for that. Everyone on this board knows I'm a fan of Mike Rhoades, but last night, Jones clearly got the better of him.

By the way, it is really funny to me that the VCU board thinks they are the better team. I didn't see it that way at all. I think we beat that Rams team 70% of the time. VCU fans should be more worried that while our two senior guards really make us go, our young guys (Green, Godwin, Dickens, and Wade) were better than any of the young guys they seemed to have on their roster.

Rhoades did not have very many options last night. They only had a small line up option. We have a roster with flexibility to play a taller lineup or go small. Our defense the last 7 minutes was spot on...hence VCU began to panic and the comeback was completed.

(11-29-2018 05:01 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 03:44 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 02:44 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

This is spot on. Both teams play hard. I thought the biggest difference was we played hard even when things weren't going our way. VCU seemed to let up on their effort when things started going awry for them. I credit our senior leadership and our coaching for that. Everyone on this board knows I'm a fan of Mike Rhoades, but last night, Jones clearly got the better of him.

By the way, it is really funny to me that the VCU board thinks they are the better team. I didn't see it that way at all. I think we beat that Rams team 70% of the time. VCU fans should be more worried that while our two senior guards really make us go, our young guys (Green, Godwin, Dickens, and Wade) were better than any of the young guys they seemed to have on their roster.

Rhoades did not have very many options last night. They only had a small line up option. We have a roster with flexibility to play a taller lineup or go small. Our defense the last 7 minutes was spot on...hence VCU began to panic and the comeback was completed.

Just so we are clear. Are we not giving JJ credit for having a roster and the lineup to put VCU away? You might know where I already stand on the situation but I think it would be wrong not to give some credit when it's due.

(11-29-2018 03:44 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 02:44 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

This is spot on. Both teams play hard. I thought the biggest difference was we played hard even when things weren't going our way. VCU seemed to let up on their effort when things started going awry for them. I credit our senior leadership and our coaching for that. Everyone on this board knows I'm a fan of Mike Rhoades, but last night, Jones clearly got the better of him.

By the way, it is really funny to me that the VCU board thinks they are the better team. I didn't see it that way at all. I think we beat that Rams team 70% of the time. VCU fans should be more worried that while our two senior guards really make us go, our young guys (Green, Godwin, Dickens, and Wade) were better than any of the young guys they seemed to have on their roster.

Exactly! I might add too that Ezikpe is a very good looking freshman. We didn't use him much last night but he looks about as good as any big man they played last night.

(11-29-2018 02:30 PM)Sirloin Burger Wrote:  Brutal game last night. Like Dimitri Batten brutal.

Did anyone smell where VCUPav was sitting?

No, but I didn’t see him either.


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(11-29-2018 05:03 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 05:01 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 03:44 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 02:44 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

This is spot on. Both teams play hard. I thought the biggest difference was we played hard even when things weren't going our way. VCU seemed to let up on their effort when things started going awry for them. I credit our senior leadership and our coaching for that. Everyone on this board knows I'm a fan of Mike Rhoades, but last night, Jones clearly got the better of him.

By the way, it is really funny to me that the VCU board thinks they are the better team. I didn't see it that way at all. I think we beat that Rams team 70% of the time. VCU fans should be more worried that while our two senior guards really make us go, our young guys (Green, Godwin, Dickens, and Wade) were better than any of the young guys they seemed to have on their roster.

Rhoades did not have very many options last night. They only had a small line up option. We have a roster with flexibility to play a taller lineup or go small. Our defense the last 7 minutes was spot on...hence VCU began to panic and the comeback was completed.

Just so we are clear. Are we not giving JJ credit for having a roster and the lineup to put VCU away? You might know where I already stand on the situation but I think it would be wrong not to give some credit when it's due.

JJs job is to put players and the team in a position to win. He did just that. Nobody is not giving him credit. I was responding to the comment on Rhoades. The team played well down the stretch on both sides of the game.

(11-29-2018 06:41 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 05:03 PM)odu09 Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 05:01 PM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 03:44 PM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(11-29-2018 02:44 PM)bigblue78 Wrote:  These are, at present, two very flawed BB teams. They are both as bad as they looked at times and only decent when they play well. There was really no game-long standout player for either team, but both teams wasted no amount of effort.

This is spot on. Both teams play hard. I thought the biggest difference was we played hard even when things weren't going our way. VCU seemed to let up on their effort when things started going awry for them. I credit our senior leadership and our coaching for that. Everyone on this board knows I'm a fan of Mike Rhoades, but last night, Jones clearly got the better of him.

By the way, it is really funny to me that the VCU board thinks they are the better team. I didn't see it that way at all. I think we beat that Rams team 70% of the time. VCU fans should be more worried that while our two senior guards really make us go, our young guys (Green, Godwin, Dickens, and Wade) were better than any of the young guys they seemed to have on their roster.

Rhoades did not have very many options last night. They only had a small line up option. We have a roster with flexibility to play a taller lineup or go small. Our defense the last 7 minutes was spot on...hence VCU began to panic and the comeback was completed.

Just so we are clear. Are we not giving JJ credit for having a roster and the lineup to put VCU away? You might know where I already stand on the situation but I think it would be wrong not to give some credit when it's due.

JJs job is to put players and the team in a position to win. He did just that. Nobody is not giving him credit. I was responding to the comment on Rhoades. The team played well down the stretch on both sides of the game.

Right on. I misread your earlier post

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https://mobile.twitter.com/7CitiesHoopta...9018017793

Best clip available.

According to someone on the VCU boards, we won the game because we were motivated to outhustle them because our players have “VCU envy.”

Is there a clip of Caver’s dunk after BJ’s miss? Almost an ally oop

https://mobile.twitter.com/CBS6SportsSea...1981681664

Enjoy - it’s in the series of clips (and is replayed).