Game 27: GMU (21-5 / 12-1) at vcu (21-5 / 11-2) on Saturday, February 22, at 4:00 PM.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Now that the game is over, vcu fans going back to ... cleaning disgusting toilets

I work at the health department, but not in THAT part of the health department.

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Y’all realize that we are witnessing a Top 2 regular season in the history of the program right? There’s a ton of basketball to be played, and every game is massively important.

This vcu fan is going to give you some credit - Tony Skinn is a hell of a coach. Even if you don't make the tournament this year, you've got a lot to be proud of. You're in good hands.

 

[jruby]

what’s funny is how much no one understand

I don't necessarily believe bringing the ball up court is due to poor "offensive coaching." I think it is much more about not being able to dribble through a press.
In other words, player's lack of ability.


Wouldn't that be back to back to back?


But the season is over. According to one guy, we might as well not even play the last four games.


You know, that would be a lot funnier if we had won. As it is, it's kind of hollow.


But it doesn't matter if we go 3-1 or 0-4. The season is over. Or so it has been said.


Exactly!

no one said the season was over, said the last 4 games don’t matter. Insanely big difference. The A10 tournament matters. The A10 has had an insanely strange season. Mason can’t get an at large, they have already pretty much clinched a 2 seed baring 0-4 and Loyola going 4-0. So the chances of that happening are basically none.

Thus making the last 4 games kinda of pointless like I said: saying their season is over? No, again for the 40th time win on Sunday in dc and go dancing. Lose and go home.

Since said 4 games have no bearing on measure of success of season they should try and experiment at pg. They already had a great season regardless of what happens from here out. They are playing with house money, you can google what that means and said games basically have zeo to gain by doing exact same thing. The fact that people are manipulating words, changing what’s being said shows that they truly don’t understand how any of this works.

You can try and play to win or you can play not to lose. My guess based on all these responses most would 100% chose playing not to lose. That’s ok; just not super competitive people here. People are content with 20+ wins and finish season after the A10 tournament.

PG play can only get better by changing but the other option is just pray vcu loses before Sunday. Again none of the last 4 games have any effect on what happens with vcu playing in A10 tournament. Maybe Maddox just shoots lights out at capital one and vcu can’t even get in flow on offense. The lack of a pg doesn’t matter and they find a way to win but again the last 4 games of the season will have zero effect on how Maddox shoots or how vcu plays in dc.

Strange system in college basketball where the last 4 games basically do not matter by any measure or metrics because they finish with such 4 awful teams. So again rest players and do whatever is best for the A10 tournament not what is best for that one game. The A10 has to get better, the irony is Mason used to be one of those teams Dayton and others were screaming about to get better and stop screwing them out of a bid.

Yes but it should be within the flow of the game not just sticking him in there because…

And let’s remember the guy who he will be taking minutes from is O’Connor and I’m assuming we don’t want him leaving at the end of the season either right? Imagine being him and Skinn coming in and saying we’re benching you to give Begg minutes because winning and losing doesn’t matter anymore.

O’Connor is not a pg, so if he gets over recruited in off season he gets over recruited. I don’t mind him at the 2 but is he a good enough shooter? Maybe there is no role there. Tbd… that’s this new world of transfers. Also O’Connor has been benched for KD in some of the past few games, Maddox has been benched as well for not playing defense. It’s a what’s best for the whole of the season and team.

Here’s an idea play O’Connor at the 2 and don’t play Anderson or whatever. The point still remains PG is a massive issue. He’ll if you don’t want Begg, just play KD at pg or shit play Billups there, he honestly can’t be any worse than O’Connor at dribbling. Then you can put another shooter or scorer on floor.

Something has to change, so use the 4 games to experiment. Goal is to keep playing, goal is not to give out participation awards. It’s actually a massive advantage that they can experiment at this point in season and not have it hurt their seed.

 

[GMU79]

what’s funny is how much no one understand


no one said the season was over, said the last 4 games don’t matter. Insanely big difference. The A10 tournament matters. The A10 has had an insanely strange season. Mason can’t get an at large, they have already pretty much clinched a 2 seed baring 0-4 and Loyola going 4-0. So the chances of that happening are basically none.

Thus making the last 4 games kinda of pointless like I said: saying their season is over? No, again for the 40th time win on Sunday in dc and go dancing. Lose and go home.

Since said 4 games have no bearing on measure of success of season they should try and experiment at pg. They already had a great season regardless of what happens from here out. They are playing with house money, you can google what that means and said games basically have zeo to gain by doing exact same thing. The fact that people are manipulating words, changing what’s being said shows that they truly don’t understand how any of this works.

You can try and play to win or you can play not to lose. My guess based on all these responses most would 100% chose playing not to lose. That’s ok; just not super competitive people here. People are content with 20+ wins and finish season after the A10 tournament.

PG play can only get better by changing but the other option is just pray vcu loses before Sunday. Again none of the last 4 games have any effect on what happens with vcu playing in A10 tournament. Maybe Maddox just shoots lights out at capital one and vcu can’t even get in flow on offense. The lack of a pg doesn’t matter and they find a way to win but again the last 4 games of the season will have zero effect on how Maddox shoots or how vcu plays in dc.

Strange system in college basketball where the last 4 games basically do not matter by any measure or metrics because they finish with such 4 awful teams. So again rest players and do whatever is best for the A10 tournament not what is best for that one game. The A10 has to get better, the irony is Mason used to be one of those teams Dayton and others were screaming about to get better and stop screwing them out of a bid.

3-1 or 4-0
Your words, not mine.

 

[jruby]

3-1 or 4-0
Your words, not mine.

Never said season was over. Never! Not once, so nice try. Actually said use the last 4 to try and figure out a way to win the A-10 tournament. The last 4 wins or loses will not change that if they just keep doing the exact same thing where they turn the ball over constantly. If it works great if not, go back to what wasn’t working, they still had a great year.

It’s strange how people are basically just like it’s ok, do the same thing. Maybe it will work 33 games into the season! He’s not changing, to some degree I think he’s actually getting worse at pg. He gets tired and stops moving his feet and the turnovers occur.

There is absolutely nothing to gain doing the exact same thing they have done all year for the last 4 games. There’s also not really anything to lose if it fails. So it’s the perfect time to try.

 

[GMU79]

Never said season was over. Never! Not once, so nice try. Actually said use the last 4 to try and figure out a way to win the A-10 tournament. The last 4 wins or loses will not change that if they just keep doing the exact same thing where they turn the ball over constantly. If it works great if not, go back to what wasn’t working, they still had a great year.

It’s strange how people are basically just like it’s ok, do the same thing. Maybe it will work 33 games into the season! He’s not changing, to some degree I think he’s actually getting worse at pg. He gets tired and stops moving his feet and the turnovers occur.

There is absolutely nothing to gain doing the exact same thing they have done all year for the last 4 games. There’s also not really anything to lose if it fails. So it’s the perfect time to try.

1-3 or 4-0 It doesn't matter.
Again, your words.
I'm done on this.

 

[undertherock]

Never said season was over. Never! Not once, so nice try. Actually said use the last 4 to try and figure out a way to win the A-10 tournament. The last 4 wins or loses will not change that if they just keep doing the exact same thing where they turn the ball over constantly. If it works great if not, go back to what wasn’t working, they still had a great year.

It’s strange how people are basically just like it’s ok, do the same thing. Maybe it will work 33 games into the season! He’s not changing, to some degree I think he’s actually getting worse at pg. He gets tired and stops moving his feet and the turnovers occur.

There is absolutely nothing to gain doing the exact same thing they have done all year for the last 4 games. There’s also not really anything to lose if it fails. So it’s the perfect time to try.

I do get your point and experimenting with Begg at PG is valid but in my opinion not for more than 5-10 minutes a game than what he already plays. Yes, these next 4 games don't matter in the sense that we have zero chance of getting an at-large bid that much is true. But they matter in terms of staying hot entering the A10 tournament. You are thinking too much about next season when it's quite possible that neither Begg nor BOC is the starting PG next year, anyone could come through the portal. Let these seniors play and enjoy their final ride, keep the rotation mostly the same barring the extra minutes for Begg.

 

[jruby]

I do get your point and experimenting with Begg at PG is valid but in my opinion not for more than 5-10 minutes a game than what he already plays. Yes, these next 4 games don't matter in the sense that we have zero chance of getting an at-large bid that much is true. But they matter in terms of staying hot entering the A10 tournament. You are thinking too much about next season when it's quite possible that neither Begg nor BOC is the starting PG next year, anyone could come through the portal. Let these seniors play and enjoy their final ride, keep the rotation mostly the same barring the extra minutes for Begg.

I mean it doesn’t even have to be Begg, maybe you go KD Billups Haynes Maddox woody? Maybe you go Billups Woody Haynes Maddox Gio? Maybe Billups woody Anderson Haynes KD ? I think resting someone like Maddox is important too but tbd. Maybe it’s experimental entirely, that’s advantage they have with nothing to lose in last 4 games. I would rather play to win than not to lose. We did that for far too long but no I’m not talking about playing walkons in the last 4 games.

The people on here bitch about the offense, bitch about the pg then you say try something new and they lose their mind.

It’s time to find out how good Tony really is. I think he’s up for it, I have faith he won’t just bow down like our previous coaches did. He is going to play to win. I actually appreciate you reading what I wrote and wanting to talk about the situation at hand.

1-3 or 4-0 It doesn't matter.
Again, your words.
I'm done on this.

Correct it does not, I know that blows your mind. Again they had a great season regardless. Whether they win 1, 2, 3 or 4. Has absolutely no effect on what happens in DC, they will be the 2 seed or maybe an outside shot at 1. That in no way means their season is over, going to that place is actually just trying to twist words and be insanely passive aggressive.

These games will not continue their season, the A10 tournament will. So whatever experimental designs they run will benifit the A10 tournament. That’s the goal not winning the next 4 games. It’s all for those 3 in D.C. if it goes completely sideways, who cares. The current offense and PG situation is not working. Lots of people have posted that on here, a lot more than me.

I’m not one of those who plays not to lose. Play to win! Arguing about analytics without actually saying anything about them is the most passive aggressive behavior ever. If you want to talk about playing to win great. Or just say you would rather just win last 4 and lose in DC but actually it doesn’t matter.

Honest question do you think if you flip a quarter 20 times and the first 19 times are heads do you think you are going to flip tales the last time? Or heads? What is the percentage?

 

[DRK331]

Game highlights against vcu

Game highlights against vcu

 

[undertherock]

I mean it doesn’t even have to be Begg, maybe you go KD Billups Haynes Maddox woody? Maybe you go Billups Woody Haynes Maddox Gio? Maybe Billups woody Anderson Haynes KD ? I think resting someone like Maddox is important too but tbd. Maybe it’s experimental entirely, that’s advantage they have with nothing to lose in last 4 games. I would rather play to win than not to lose. We did that for far too long but no I’m not talking about playing walkons in the last 4 games.

The people on here bitch about the offense, bitch about the pg then you say try something new and they lose their mind.

It’s time to find out how good Tony really is. I think he’s up for it, I have faith he won’t just bow down like our previous coaches did. He is going to play to win. I actually appreciate you reading what I wrote and wanting to talk about the situation at hand.


Correct it does not, I know that blows your mind. Again they had a great season regardless. Whether they win 1, 2, 3 or 4. Has absolutely no effect on what happens in DC, they will be the 2 seed or maybe an outside shot at 1. That in no way means their season is over, going to that place is actually just trying to twist words and be insanely passive aggressive.

These games will not continue their season, the A10 tournament will. So whatever experimental designs they run will benifit the A10 tournament. That’s the goal not winning the next 4 games. It’s all for those 3 in D.C. if it goes completely sideways, who cares. The current offense and PG situation is not working. Lots of people have posted that on here, a lot more than me.

I’m not one of those who plays not to lose. Play to win! Arguing about analytics without actually saying anything about them is the most passive aggressive behavior ever. If you want to talk about playing to win great. Or just say you would rather just win last 4 and lose in DC but actually it doesn’t matter.

Honest question do you think if you flip a quarter 20 times and the first 19 times are heads do you think you are going to flip tales the last time? Or heads? What is the percentage?

I support KD being the full time ball handler and increasing his minutes. He might be the only player capable of out dribbling the press. In terms of "resting" some players like Maddox, yeah good luck asking a senior to take a rest in his final year of eligibility. This isn't the pros, these are young kids with energy levels through the roof they don't need rest unless they are nursing an injury.

 

[psyclone]

I mean it doesn’t even have to be Begg, maybe you go KD Billups Haynes Maddox woody? Maybe you go Billups Woody Haynes Maddox Gio? Maybe Billups woody Anderson Haynes KD ? I think resting someone like Maddox is important too but tbd. Maybe it’s experimental entirely, that’s advantage they have with nothing to lose in last 4 games. I would rather play to win than not to lose. We did that for far too long but no I’m not talking about playing walkons in the last 4 games.

From Kenpom, looks to me like KD is already our primary PG​

​

Depth chart over the past 5 games​

PG		SG		SF
0 KD Johnson 6-0 195 Sr	48%	13 Darius Maddox 6-5 185 Sr	74%	1 Jared Billups 6-4 195 Sr	49%	2 Woody Newton 6-9 206 Sr	52%	11 Jalen Haynes 6-8 265 Sr	67%
4 Brayden O'Connor 6-4 212 Jr	28%	0 KD Johnson 6-0 195 Sr	15%	10 Zach Anderson 6-7 205 Sr	27%	10 Zach Anderson 6-7 205 Sr	29%	5 Giovanni Emejuru 6-11 265 Jr	32%
23 Justin Begg 6-0 185 Fr	25%	4 Brayden O'Connor 6-4 212 Jr	10%	4 Brayden O'Connor 6-4 212 Jr	20%	1 Jared Billups 6-4 195 Sr	11%
						11 Jalen Haynes 6-8 265 Sr	9%

 

[jruby]

I support KD being the full time ball handler and increasing his minutes. He might be the only player capable of out dribbling the press. In terms of "resting" some players like Maddox, yeah good luck asking a senior to take a rest in his final year of eligibility. This isn't the pros, these are young kids with energy levels through the roof they don't need rest unless they are nursing an injury.

I guess that’s the debate, has he been fully healthy? If he is fine, great but however after the JMU game where he couldn’t finish the game I’m not sure. They never actually addressed it which is fine but not sure what truth is.

 

[Jack Strop]

I mean it doesn’t even have to be Begg, maybe you go KD Billups Haynes Maddox woody? Maybe you go Billups Woody Haynes Maddox Gio? Maybe Billups woody Anderson Haynes KD ? I think resting someone like Maddox is important too but tbd. Maybe it’s experimental entirely, that’s advantage they have with nothing to lose in last 4 games. I would rather play to win than not to lose. We did that for far too long but no I’m not talking about playing walkons in the last 4 games.

The people on here bitch about the offense, bitch about the pg then you say try something new and they lose their mind.

It’s time to find out how good Tony really is. I think he’s up for it, I have faith he won’t just bow down like our previous coaches did. He is going to play to win. I actually appreciate you reading what I wrote and wanting to talk about the situation at hand.


Correct it does not, I know that blows your mind. Again they had a great season regardless. Whether they win 1, 2, 3 or 4. Has absolutely no effect on what happens in DC, they will be the 2 seed or maybe an outside shot at 1. That in no way means their season is over, going to that place is actually just trying to twist words and be insanely passive aggressive.

These games will not continue their season, the A10 tournament will. So whatever experimental designs they run will benifit the A10 tournament. That’s the goal not winning the next 4 games. It’s all for those 3 in D.C. if it goes completely sideways, who cares. The current offense and PG situation is not working. Lots of people have posted that on here, a lot more than me.

I’m not one of those who plays not to lose. Play to win! Arguing about analytics without actually saying anything about them is the most passive aggressive behavior ever. If you want to talk about playing to win great. Or just say you would rather just win last 4 and lose in DC but actually it doesn’t matter.

Honest question do you think if you flip a quarter 20 times and the first 19 times are heads do you think you are going to flip tales the last time? Or heads? What is the percentage?

BSKB 101 Principles of Basketball—Pass the ball to break the press, DO NOT attempt to "dribble through it".

**********

Installing a new system and/or radical realignment of playing time this deep into the season is not in this team"s best interest. Working extra hard on fundamentals for the these last four ganes will give this team the edge to win an A10 Tourney.

**********

Yes, provide Begg 5 or 10 additional minutes per game for development. Depth is going to be one our greatest assets going into the A10 Tournament. The more Begg can contribute meaningfully down the stretch and into Tourney games (particularly the quarterfinal and semifinal) the better for the team's prospects in the final.

 

[NewPatriot]

BSKB 101 Principles of Basketball—Pass the ball to break the press, DO NOT attempt to "dribble through it.

This! Not to mention the spacing sucks because no one is moving without the ball to catch the ball for an open shot...

If vcu's 2nd half grade A butt whipping doesn't wake up the coaching staff and team to execute on the offensive end..I don't know what will...

 

[mkaufman1]

This! Not to mention the spacing sucks because no one is moving without the ball to catch the ball for an open shot...

If vcu's 2nd half grade A butt whipping doesn't wake up the coaching staff and team to execute on the offensive end..I don't know what will...

If I had to guess, Tony wanted to see what Odom did to adjust for the 2nd half. All the sudden they were spacing us out and imposing their will compared to the first half. Someone saw something and adjusted appropriately.

Hopefully it doesnt' happen again to our staff where we get worked like that.

 

[GMU79]

If I had to guess, Tony wanted to see what Odom did to adjust for the 2nd half. All the sudden they were spacing us out and imposing their will compared to the first half. Someone saw something and adjusted appropriately.

Hopefully it doesnt' happen again to our staff where we get worked like that.

Yes, I'm all in on Tony, but it does take a while to learn. Maybe he should add an "old head" coach to the staff?

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Begg, Haynes, Haynes, Emijuru, Newton - what do people think of that. 3 guards. 2 bigs

 

[HoopsAdmin]

Yes, I'm all in on Tony, but it does take a while to learn. Maybe he should add an "old head" coach to the staff?

Isn't that Curran's role? He's not as old as you, but he's been in the game for a while.

 

[mkaufman1]

Begg, Haynes, Haynes, Emijuru, Newton - what do people think of that. 3 guards. 2 bigs

It’s pretty impressive that Haynes could clone himself to play the 2 and 3 positions.

 

[GSII]

Curran is that guy but who knows if he will be here next year. Might be a HC.

 

[DRK331]

Full game here on Youtube if anyone wants to analyze the 2nd half

Full game here on Youtube if anyone wants to analyze the 2nd half