Erik Copes leaves team for personal reasons

[Quentin Daniels]

In fairness, Morrison improved. Now just one substantial improvement in four years, but still.

Not sure I buy that one. To repeat an old argument, Morrison did have a big jump from his Jr. to Sr. year, but you also have to look at in context of his role on the team.

As a Sophomore, Morrison averaged 8.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG. His Junior year he was moved from primarily playing in the low post to the high post to take advantage of Cam Long's ability to drive and post up other guards. The result was a Top 25 ranking for the team and a trip to the 2nd round of the tourney, but for Morrison his stats dropped as he was used to draw the post player outside opening the lane for Cam Long. Being further from the basket, his scoring and rebound numbers dropped significantly.

When Cam Long graduated, Morrison was moved back to the low post and his numbers jumped similar to what you'd expect from being placed back in a position best suited to his skill set and the experience of two more years of college ball.

If anyone, I think Jonathon Arledge is your stronger example for improvement, though even then I have to question was it coaching or finally getting an opportunity with the injury to Copes? On the other hand, you've got Gujanacic whose seemed to regress under Hewitt.

 

[Vurbel]

Not sure I buy that one. To repeat an old argument, Morrison did have a big jump from his Jr. to Sr. year, but you also have to look at in context of his role on the team.

As a Sophomore, Morrison averaged 8.5 PPG and 5.9 RPG. His Junior year he was moved from primarily playing in the low post to the high post to take advantage of Cam Long's ability to drive and post up other guards. The result was a Top 25 ranking for the team and a trip to the 2nd round of the tourney, but for Morrison his stats dropped as he was used to draw the post player outside opening the lane for Cam Long. Being further from the basket, his scoring and rebound numbers dropped significantly.

When Cam Long graduated, Morrison was moved back to the low post and his numbers jumped similar to what you'd expect from being placed back in a position best suited to his skill set and the experience of two more years of college ball.

If anyone, I think Jonathon Arledge is your stronger example for improvement, though even then I have to question was it coaching or finally getting an opportunity with the injury to Copes? On the other hand, you've got Gujanacic whose seemed to regress under Hewitt.

You bring up fair points and I wouldn't argue them. The only thing not arguable (is that even a word?) is that we were down 32-4 in the CAAT and didn't get to the post season with a roster that was loaded (or solid, at the least). Whether people improved or not doesn't change the bottom line - unfortunately, at the end of the day we underachieved.

 

[PoorManProfit]

No hope with guys who claim their avatar pic is an ex girlfriend, but are using a getty image.

Dude. You are creepy. Quit the obsession already!

 

[sigmanorm]

Maybe a graceful way of dealing with another team violation? Or academic problems?

I actually thought he was playing better and with enthusiasm for much of this year.

Yes, I think you are correct here.

 

[GMUgemini]

I think the one stat you aren't looking at QA is FT percentage.

Morrison:

Freshman: .302
Sophomore: .485
Junior: .394
Senior: .550

Now 55 percent isn't so great, but I remember Morrison being a lot more confident and comfortable at the line his senior season and that, to me, showed effective coaching.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Let's see, under PH we lost five players in Copes, JA, Anali, Vertrail, and Paris B.

In that same timespan vcu lost two players, Shannon and Okerafor.

Hmmm....

vcu also lost Tuoyo and Simmons. I don't think there's a big difference between losing 5 players and losing 4 players.

 

[Dawgs99]

vcu also lost Tuoyo and Simmons. I don't think there's a big difference between losing 5 players and losing 4 players.

Also Jairus Lyles....so thats 5

 

[Vurbel]

My bad. I should have said only 2 that stood out to me.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Let's see, under PH we lost five players in Copes, JA, Anali, Vertrail, and Paris B.

In that same timespan vcu lost two players, Shannon and Okerafor.

Hmmm....

We didn't "lose" Anali, VV or Paris. They all graduated and then moved on. JA I guess the same thing. His decision to leave and (but finished undergrad degree)

Copes...I guess it's a good thing we have a lot of APR points.

 

[Vurbel]

We didn't "lose" Anali, VV or Paris. They all graduated and then moved on. JA I guess the same thing. His decision to leave and (but finished undergrad degree)

Copes...I guess it's a good thing we have a lot of APR points.

I'll put it a different way. Those are players who still had eligibility and chose to go elsewhere. The point remains the same.

 

[JamesMason]

I'll put it a different way. Those are players who still had eligibility and chose to go elsewhere. The point remains the same.

Certain players are also basically told they dont' have a place on the roster any more at that point and are told to look elsewhere if they want to play

 

[Vurbel]

Certain players are also basically told they dont' have a place on the roster any more at that point and are told to look elsewhere if they want to play

Again, the point remains the same.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

At least there wasn't an ESPN write up on Copes like Dayton is dealing with:
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...ton-flyers-dismiss-devon-scott-jalen-robinson

 

[Quentin Daniels]

Dude. I'm busted. I feel foolish!

Yep.

 

[PoorManProfit]

Yep.

LOL. You are so gay. PoorManProfit > Quintin Daniel

 

[MasonFanatic]

Bennett and Vaughns were probably CAA guys who didn't quite belong in the A-10. I wouldn't be surprised if they were encouraged to seek a better opportunity at a slightly lowered level.

 

[GMUgemini]

I'll put it a different way. Those are players who still had eligibility and chose to go elsewhere. The point remains the same.

What point would that be? I mean, what about Sammy Hernandez, Jesus Urbina, Jay Threatt, Kevin Foster, Vlad Moldoveanu and Rashad Whack?

I think it's pretty common for teams to lose players the way transfer rules work now, especially fifth year graduate eligibility.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

Getting Pwnd> Make Believe Girlfriend

yup

 

[GSII]

What point would that be? I mean, what about Sammy Hernandez, Jesus Urbina, Jay Threatt, Kevin Foster, Vlad Moldoveanu and Rashad Whack?

I think it's pretty common for teams to lose players the way transfer rules work now, especially fifth year graduate eligibility.

Whack left under Hewitt. 5 players in 14 years? I'll take that over 5 in 3.5 years.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Whack left under Hewitt. 5 players in 14 years? I'll take that over 5 in 3.5 years.

Whack left before Hewitt was hired. I think he actually had his release before anyone knew OCM was leaving, but I'm not 100% sure about that.