VCU game observations

[97spiderfan]

A couple observations from the beat down of VCU yesterday.

1. Grant owned MSS. Their stat lines were similar but Grant was the alpha on both ends of the floor. Really impressed with Grant's defense yesterday.
2. How much did we miss Francis the first game? I actually thought he was having a pretty bad shooting game the first 35 minutes, but even with that, the pressure he was taking off Gilyard completely neutralized VCU trapping style defense. He was in Hyland's shorts on defense and did not allow him to get comfortable ever. And then the last 5 minutes when VCU might have made a run, dagger, dagger, dagger.
3. How does Tyler only play 13 minutes? I can't criticize Mooney really at all for the beat down yesterday, but he has got to get Tyler more time. He makes so many big plays and his hustle is contagious.
4. Sherod, so happy for him. He was just lights out, it was fun seeing him having such a big night at a big time.

Not to take anything away from our win, it was huge for so many reasons. But in my opinion something is wrong with VCU. I don't know if its chemistry, execution or what but I was waiting for them to make a run and it never happened.

 

[Eight Legger]

Rhoades is a nice coach, but he is not Shaka or even Wade. He's a normal white dude with a normal basketball pedigree and background. Nothing exciting or unique. He's not going to be able to sustain what previous coaches built there, and their fans are realizing it now. They still trot out the Havoc stuff from eight years ago as if it is their current reality, which it isn't.

For the first time in a long time, we have every opportunity to seize control of the spotlight in this town for ourselves. That win yesterday may have simultaneously killed them and elevated us into the tournament or close. Will we continue with this momentum, make the tourney while they sit home, and then enter next season as a top-25 team with a new practice facility to show off to recruits, while VCU wallows in mediocrity? Let's hope so. It's all there for the taking. Finally.

 

[97spiderfan]

Rhoades is a nice coach, but he is not Shaka or even Wade. He's a normal white dude with a normal basketball pedigree and background. Nothing exciting or unique. He's not going to be able to sustain what previous coaches built there, and their fans are realizing it now. They still trot out the Havoc stuff from eight years ago as if it is their current reality, which it isn't.

For the first time in a long time, we have every opportunity to seize control of the spotlight in this town for ourselves. That win yesterday may have simultaneously killed them and elevated us into the tournament or close. Will we continue with this momentum, make the tourney while they sit home, and then enter next season as a top-25 team with a new practice facility to show off to recruits, while VCU wallows in mediocrity? Let's hope so. It's all there for the taking. Finally.

I think Rhoades has shown to be both a pretty good recruiter and I have been really impressed with his defense. But yes, he lacks Shaka's charisma and doesn't cheat like Wade and they probably won't be a Top 25 program under Rhoades but they are still going to be a really good A-10 program and fighting for bubble at larges much like us.

 

[urfan1]

I don't believe Rhoades will knowingly recruit a kid of low morals. Big difference from recent history.

 

[Eight Legger]

Agreed, and love or hate him, Shaka was a dynamic younger guy with a personality and name and style that stood out and drew recruits to him. They're far removed from that now.

 

[RichmondNative]

Awesome game by Nick. So happy for him since he had the exact opposite type of game at Siegel and after he was interviewed and expressed how he was really excited to play there again.

Burton was also a difference maker in the game. Not sure why he didn't get more minutes, other than Mooney forgot.....Actually, I think it is because Mooney still doesn't trust him in pressure situations, but it sure didn't seem like VCU had a chance in the game.

Not surprised about Grant. He owned VCU in first game at least in first half, but then Rhodes made an adjustment.

Speaking of Rhodes, he isn't a flashy coach, but I think it is a little early to say that he isn't what VCU needs. There is definitely a team chemistry issue and maybe that is because not all the seniors are Rhodes recruits. Evans is obviously not what he was last year for them, but he does seem to bring some stability to the team.

Last, I think you should ask Texas fans what they think of Shaka.

 

[Eight Legger]

I think the only reason we didn't see more Burton yesterday was because we didn't really need him. It was never a game.

 

[whampas]

I think the only reason we didn't see more Burton yesterday was because we didn't really need him. It was never a game.

Agree. Sometimes you just ride with what's working. 5 starters all in double figures. Keep that up and we'll be dancing.

 

[MrTbone]

I think the only reason we didn't see more Burton yesterday was because we didn't really need him. It was never a game.

This. Normally burton would spell Nick or Nate and both of them were having very good games.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

3. How does Tyler only play 13 minutes?

4. Sherod

 

[spider fan]

I don't believe Rhoades will knowingly recruit a kid of low morals. Big difference from recent history.

Agree - give Rhoades credit for raising the standards of who they recruit. Couple of years again during the shoot around before the game overheard some VCU players making derogatory comments about some of our players. Don't think Rhoades tolerates that kind of behavior.

 

[rspides]

Agree there are chemistry issues at VCU. But bottom line, I believe we have better players right now

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Basketball players talking trash....imagine that.

 

[Eight Legger]

The only thing wrong with VCU is that they played us, and we are a lot better.

 

[kneepadmckinney]

I think the only reason we didn't see more Burton yesterday was because we didn't really need him. It was never a game.

Yes. Sherod was playing great, and Cayo had a great second half. Not sure what the kvetching is about.

 

[urmite]

Yes. Sherod was playing great, and Cayo had a great second half. Not sure what the kvetching is about.

The Kvetching was that we only had 5 players on the court playing great, and not 6...

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

The Kvetching was that we only had 5 players on the court playing great, and not 6...

Tried that before.
Got a technical.

 

[spider fan]

Basketball players talking trash....imagine that.

It is really beyond imagination!

 

[SpiderRick]

Wouldn't it be great to actually go to the NCAA tournament in a year that VCU didn't? God what would the staff at RTD write about?

 

[gcarter52]

RTD would be lost for words!

 

[nathanw19]

Wouldn't it be great to actually go to the NCAA tournament in a year that VCU didn't? God what would the staff at RTD write about?

I’m sure there will be Flying Squirrels preseason to talk about