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Who is Taylor?

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:02 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 01:27 PM)bench jockey Wrote:  No offense to this young man, but I think we're seeing the reality of what's facing MJ, etc.
Bad program the last few years with no name value or recognition at this point. Kids don't live in the past and we've had no presence for quite a while.
Overvaluing of players like Deng by bigger schools; I really thought he was someone we had a shot at.
I have hopes this young fella can contribute -- if not more -- but he's not a building block as I see it. As with all things ODU hoops the last few years,. I hope I'm wrong.

I think you are going to be wrong with this roster. I am optimistic about this team. This roster has been built so significantly better than the previous staff could build one. I am cautiously optimistic, but slightly concerned about the PG position. The fact that some are saying Ceasar is an option there is very very scary to me. He has a long way to go to run an offense.

I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

Looking and watching Jaden, he very well built and very strong. Fork Union gave him another year of experience, and he has the ability to play the point, both on offense & defense.

(05-03-2024 02:37 PM)Stat Geek Wrote:  Who is Taylor?

Maybe we filled our last scholarship! Bluelight is ahead of the game!

(05-03-2024 02:37 PM)Stat Geek Wrote:  Who is Taylor?

My goof, it’s Walker.:

(05-03-2024 03:06 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:37 PM)Stat Geek Wrote:  Who is Taylor?

Maybe we filled our last scholarship! Bluelight is ahead of the game!

Sorry, to lazy to go back to the roster. It’s Walker!

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:02 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 01:27 PM)bench jockey Wrote:  No offense to this young man, but I think we're seeing the reality of what's facing MJ, etc.
Bad program the last few years with no name value or recognition at this point. Kids don't live in the past and we've had no presence for quite a while.
Overvaluing of players like Deng by bigger schools; I really thought he was someone we had a shot at.
I have hopes this young fella can contribute -- if not more -- but he's not a building block as I see it. As with all things ODU hoops the last few years,. I hope I'm wrong.

I think you are going to be wrong with this roster. I am optimistic about this team. This roster has been built so significantly better than the previous staff could build one. I am cautiously optimistic, but slightly concerned about the PG position. The fact that some are saying Ceasar is an option there is very very scary to me. He has a long way to go to run an offense.

I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:02 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 01:27 PM)bench jockey Wrote:  No offense to this young man, but I think we're seeing the reality of what's facing MJ, etc.
Bad program the last few years with no name value or recognition at this point. Kids don't live in the past and we've had no presence for quite a while.
Overvaluing of players like Deng by bigger schools; I really thought he was someone we had a shot at.
I have hopes this young fella can contribute -- if not more -- but he's not a building block as I see it. As with all things ODU hoops the last few years,. I hope I'm wrong.

I think you are going to be wrong with this roster. I am optimistic about this team. This roster has been built so significantly better than the previous staff could build one. I am cautiously optimistic, but slightly concerned about the PG position. The fact that some are saying Ceasar is an option there is very very scary to me. He has a long way to go to run an offense.

I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:02 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 01:27 PM)bench jockey Wrote:  No offense to this young man, but I think we're seeing the reality of what's facing MJ, etc.
Bad program the last few years with no name value or recognition at this point. Kids don't live in the past and we've had no presence for quite a while.
Overvaluing of players like Deng by bigger schools; I really thought he was someone we had a shot at.
I have hopes this young fella can contribute -- if not more -- but he's not a building block as I see it. As with all things ODU hoops the last few years,. I hope I'm wrong.

I think you are going to be wrong with this roster. I am optimistic about this team. This roster has been built so significantly better than the previous staff could build one. I am cautiously optimistic, but slightly concerned about the PG position. The fact that some are saying Ceasar is an option there is very very scary to me. He has a long way to go to run an offense.

I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

(05-04-2024 06:33 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:02 PM)757ODU Wrote:  I think you are going to be wrong with this roster. I am optimistic about this team. This roster has been built so significantly better than the previous staff could build one. I am cautiously optimistic, but slightly concerned about the PG position. The fact that some are saying Ceasar is an option there is very very scary to me. He has a long way to go to run an offense.

I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

As the roster now’s points out (not clear what position they will play) we have 2 PF Pounds & Raymond, 1 center CWR, 2 PG Essien & Johnson 4 SG
Davis, Ware, Hubbard & Ceaser. SF 3 Blakney, Diggs, Walker. Ok, not sure where they will end up playing for MJ, but what would you like & why for the final position on this team?

(Yesterday 01:13 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-04-2024 06:33 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

As the roster now’s points out (not clear what position they will play) we have 2 PF Pounds & Raymond, 1 center CWR, 2 PG Essien & Johnson 4 SG
Davis, Ware, Hubbard & Ceaser. SF 3 Blakney, Diggs, Walker. Ok, not sure where they will end up playing for MJ, but what would you like & why for the final position on this team?

I would like a little more depth in the front court since Raymond is coming off of an injury.

(Yesterday 01:54 PM)odubsu Wrote:  

(Yesterday 01:13 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-04-2024 06:33 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

As the roster now’s points out (not clear what position they will play) we have 2 PF Pounds & Raymond, 1 center CWR, 2 PG Essien & Johnson 4 SG
Davis, Ware, Hubbard & Ceaser. SF 3 Blakney, Diggs, Walker. Ok, not sure where they will end up playing for MJ, but what would you like & why for the final position on this team?

I would like a little more depth in the front court since Raymond is coming off of an injury.

Raymond is a Center. I heard MJ say he’s at least 6’9. Possibly still growing. And a huge wingspan. Walker will play the 4 primarily. He does have some skill to do some things on the perimeter but he will play the 4. He’s a good rebounder and plays like a bull around the bucket. The staff sees it more like this.


1. Imo. Johnson. Caesar
2. Davis. Hubbard. Ware
3. Blakeney. Diggs.
4. Walker Pounds
5. CSR Raymond

I’m not saying this is starters and backups depth chart here. Just saying what the positions are for the guys. There’s obviously some flexibility. I think they would like Caesar to play both guard spots. CSR is ready to be a good Center in the Sun Belt MJ believes. Maryland had like 4 legit Centers and that position was heavily over recruited for them. Their coach is big on having a bunch of mobile athletic defensive centers it sounds like. MJ said he could have had a bunch of more minutes last year. He thinks he’s already a good player and a really good shot blocker and a real presence around the bucket. Not a “project”. He just needs minutes, which he will get here cause he will start at the 5 barring something crazy. Raymond is more of a prospect but has big upside w good size and a nice wingspan and a nice shooting touch. He is coming off an injury.

(Yesterday 01:13 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-04-2024 06:33 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 02:08 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  I haven’t heard anyone on staff say he will be a point. But I can say that they are extremely high on Jaden Johnson at point. And if he’s as good as they expect, I would not be surprised to see him play quite a bit his first season.

I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

As the roster now’s points out (not clear what position they will play) we have 2 PF Pounds & Raymond, 1 center CWR, 2 PG Essien & Johnson 4 SG
Davis, Ware, Hubbard & Ceaser. SF 3 Blakney, Diggs, Walker. Ok, not sure where they will end up playing for MJ, but what would you like & why for the final position on this team?

I have 3 wishes in order of importance:

1. Stretch 4
2. Really good shooter/defender at the 3
3. Veteran PG

(Yesterday 03:53 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(Yesterday 01:13 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-04-2024 06:33 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 03:50 PM)ODU BBALL Wrote:  I've been high on Jaden playing the point for ODU since I watched several game videos of him. He showed me everything that I wanted to see in those - size, quickness, handling, shooting, passing, and defending. He appears to see the floor really well as the play is developing. I think that he and Imo will cover the minutes at PG very well with Caesar being lower down on the depth chart at that position. I just hope Jayden stays a few years at least as I believe that he was a really good addition.

Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

As the roster now’s points out (not clear what position they will play) we have 2 PF Pounds & Raymond, 1 center CWR, 2 PG Essien & Johnson 4 SG
Davis, Ware, Hubbard & Ceaser. SF 3 Blakney, Diggs, Walker. Ok, not sure where they will end up playing for MJ, but what would you like & why for the final position on this team?

I have 3 wishes in order of importance:

1. Stretch 4
2. Really good shooter/defender at the 3
3. Veteran PG

I’d go with a stretch 4 or a post graduate big man like a back to the basket type for the final spot, can never have too many bigs. I think we’ll be okay at the point and sf this year.

(Yesterday 04:09 PM)ODU local Wrote:  

(Yesterday 03:53 PM)757ODU Wrote:  

(Yesterday 01:13 PM)bluelight Wrote:  

(05-04-2024 06:33 AM)757ODU Wrote:  

(05-03-2024 05:02 PM)bluelight Wrote:  Ok, I did go back to the final stats from last year. I will give you totals of the four, rather than individual. Of the four player’s returning, they averaged together 24.3 points per game & 11.2 rebounds per game. Once this final recruit is announced, summer weight lifting & practice will begin. It will definitely be a dogfight, for playing time. MJ & staff have their work cut out, to find the right combination!

Thank you for the timeline, bluelight. These are all great points.

As the roster now’s points out (not clear what position they will play) we have 2 PF Pounds & Raymond, 1 center CWR, 2 PG Essien & Johnson 4 SG
Davis, Ware, Hubbard & Ceaser. SF 3 Blakney, Diggs, Walker. Ok, not sure where they will end up playing for MJ, but what would you like & why for the final position on this team?

I have 3 wishes in order of importance:

1. Stretch 4
2. Really good shooter/defender at the 3
3. Veteran PG

I’d go with a stretch 4 or a post graduate big man like a back to the basket type for the final spot, can never have too many bigs. I think we’ll be okay at the point and sf this year.

Essien played 17 minutes per game last year. He averaged 4.3 however Johnson is so but bigger & stronger. It’s a rookie against a veteran, we will have to see how it goes. In effect, it’s going to be like that in every position. By mid season, we will all probably be wrong on our pre-season prediction. Really not confident on our three point shooting. I would like the best three point shooter, we can get. Someone, who may take more than one to guard because he is so dangerous. Otherwise, a vet PG that can shoot three’s at a high per cent. Unless I have missed it, the only new players mentioned as three point shooters has been David & Hubbard, maybe Diggs. Two of the three are freshman.

Personally, I see Caesar, Blakney and Ware as the last 3 off the bench.

The 2 & 3 spots are interchangeable. Davis, Hubbard, and Diggs. Are all upgrades over last season. Walker will be the stretch 4 many have hoped for, but may also play the 3. Blakney will provide minutes for those above to rest. But I don’t see him getting a lot of minutes. And would love to be proven wrong because I like him.

I hope Pounds continue to develop.

CSR starting at the 5.

We have 1 spot left. I would love a SR PG transfer to have an experience hand to help mentor Johnson.

I would like the most talented/experienced player available at the 1,4, or 5 spot.

(Yesterday 08:15 PM)ODU True Blue Wrote:  Personally, I see Caesar, Blakney and Ware as the last 3 off the bench.

The 2 & 3 spots are interchangeable. Davis, Hubbard, and Diggs. Are all upgrades over last season. Walker will be the stretch 4 many have hoped for, but may also play the 3. Blakney will provide minutes for those above to rest. But I don’t see him getting a lot of minutes. And would love to be proven wrong because I like him.

I hope Pounds continue to develop.

CSR starting at the 5.

We have 1 spot left. I would love a SR PG transfer to have an experience hand to help mentor Johnson.

Yeah I agree. The wing positions are definitely interchangeable. Good there. Best player available with the last. Bigger the better. Unless it’s a game changer at point guard. I think RJ will get some time. I don’t see Caesar or Ware playing a bunch either. Imo probably ends up being Johnson’s backup. But I like Imo as a good backup PG. I could see all the freshman getting some time.