Oregon State game thread

[Walter]

The only reason we weren't down by 20 early was because OSU couldn't hit even the easy shots. Not sure it had a lot to do with our defense.

 

[EXpatriot13]

The only reason we weren't down by 20 early was because OSU couldn't hit even the easy shots. Not sure it had a lot to do with our defense.

Our defense has without a doubt played much better these last two games. Don't be overly hypocritical.

 

[gmutom]

We might be better on defense next season, but if we can't score consistently, especially when we need to score, it will be a longggg year next year.

Good points. We will have to keep games in the 50s and low 60s next year, but we also need to get to the point where our defense helps us create some easy buckets offensively. We did a nice job of getting stops against Iowa State and Oregon State, but I can't recall one fast-break basket we had in either game (that's vcu's bread and butter).

I'd like to think we will be able to press and trap more next year, which can lead to some turnovers and uncontested baskets. I never expect freshmen to come in and score a lot of points, but guys like Mayimba and Lockett can make a difference defensively and in the open court (as can Porter if he doesn't redshirt).

 

[EXpatriot13]

I never expect freshmen to come in and score a lot of points, but guys like Mayimba and Lockett can make a difference defensively and in the open court (as can Porter if he doesn't redshirt).

Completely agree with this and your point about scoring more in transition. That's why I think we need to somehow land Kobe Eubanks. If the kid can just flat out score like many have said he can, it would be a great addition to the aforementioned freshmen and what they're capable of.

 

[GMUSig03]

This concern about next year and scoring makes me realize how even more disappointing it is that Gray is not getting any PT, don't even think he saw the court today.

 

[Dawgs99]

Completely agree with this and your point about scoring more in transition. That's why I think we need to somehow land Kobe Eubanks. If the kid can just flat out score like many have said he can, it would be a great addition to the aforementioned freshmen and what they're capable of.

I agree, this recruiting class has great length and athletic ability but really needs a scorer to round it out. You gotta believe Hewitt and crew are telling Eubanks he could play major minutes right away.

 

[JimP]

Good points. We will have to keep games in the 50s and low 60s next year, but we also need to get to the point where our defense helps us create some easy buckets offensively. We did a nice job of getting stops against Iowa State and Oregon State, but I can't recall one fast-break basket we had in either game (that's vcu's bread and butter).

I'd like to think we will be able to press and trap more next year, which can lead to optimistic.some turnovers and uncontested baskets. I never expect freshmen to come in and score a lot of points, but guys like Mayimba and Lockett can make a difference defensively and in the open court (as can Porter if he doesn't redshirt).

Hewitt can't mold a senior laden team into winners. I'm not sure how he's going to do it with freshman. The recruits look good, but it ain't like GMU has the Fab Five coming in. Until I actually see a Hewitt coached team actually play consistently well, it's tough to be optimistic.

 

[azgmu]

Sherrod didn't start because he's playing absolutely terrible basketball right now. Marko isn't playing much better.

Hmm. I can understand if it's about tinkering with lineups, giving people a chance, exploiting matchups, going with the hot hand, giving someone a break, etc... but with the way the last few games have gone, nobody on the team can really say that they've been playing that well. If a guy isn't playing inspired, I don't see it helping in the long term to make them feel replaceable, too.

 

[EXpatriot13]

If a guy isn't playing inspired, I don't see it helping in the long term to make them feel replaceable, too.

Literally any of us on this board could go out there and do what Sherrod has been doing....shooting air balls, turning the ball over, dribbling off of his feet, not playing defense, etc...

 

[Dawgs99]

Hewitt can't mold a senior laden team into winners. I'm not sure how he's going to do it with freshman. The recruits look good, but it ain't like GMU has the Fab Five coming in. Until I actually see a Hewitt coached team actually play consistently well, it's tough to be optimistic.

Addition by subtraction next year. For better or worse this team will look totally different next season.

 

[Dawgs99]

Hmm. I can understand if it's about tinkering with lineups, giving people a chance, exploiting matchups, going with the hot hand, giving someone a break, etc... but with the way the last few games have gone, nobody on the team can really say that they've been playing that well. If a guy isn't playing inspired, I don't see it helping in the long term to make them feel replaceable, too.

Gotta disagree here, Holloway and Jenkins have played very well. I really think Jenkins is going to be special. Playing time is earned, if you watched the post game video from last nights game Hewitt basically said Sherrod was terrible so he didn't play. Nobody is above being benched for poor play. Sherrod was a detriment to the team the last 2 games.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Gotta disagree here, Holloway and Jenkins have played very well. I really think Jenkins is going to be special. Playing time is earned, if you watched the post game video from last nights game Hewitt basically said Sherrod was terrible so he didn't play. Nobody is above being benched for poor play. Sherrod was a detriment to the team the last 2 games.

If its earned, why are AO and to a degree Copes still getting consistent run?

 

[Dawgs99]

AO has actually played decent the last 2 games, theres a role for him on this team its just a very small role. While neither of these 2 guys were good, they weren't killing the team like Sherrod was. I don't really care for either AO or Copes but I never question their hustle/desire like to I do with Sherrod, I question their ability.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Im not sure I share the opinion, that AO has a role.......and that role being on the floor during crunch time.

I think his role is much different than that. Sherrod has earned the right to play through some tough times imo, AO and Copes have proven they cant be relied on. So because in the past 2 games they havent been dismal, I dont really agree they should get run above other options. Copes is a bit different than AO, but the same can be applied in certain situations to him.

 

[Dawgs99]

Im not sure I share the opinion, that AO has a role.......and that role being on the floor during crunch time.

I think his role is much different than that.

I'm certainly not advocating for more minutes for AO. Where did I say crunch time? I'm not the one on the bench putting players in the game. AO is a good athlete with very little basketball ability. What he can do is block out and rebound, this is where his small role that I mentioned earlier comes into play. AO should really only be getting garbage time minutes and or foul trouble minutes.

 

[gmutom]

If its earned, why are AO and to a degree Copes still getting consistent run?

I agree with you about Copes but Okoloji deserved his minutes the last two games. He only played 14 minutes today, yet he was our leading rebounder with 6. He also had two steals and played very good defense. In his 12 minutes yesterday, he scored the same amount of points as J2, Marko and Copes (all of whom played anywhere from 18-21 minutes).

He will never be a great scorer or a flashy player and I agree he shouldn't necessarily be in during crunch time, but to say he doesn't earn his playing time is not accurate. As much as I would love to see Gray get more time, he needs to find a way to steal it way from somebody else. I don't think Okoloji should play more than 10-12 minutes a game, but I wish more of our players were as productive as he was the last two games.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Im not sure I share the opinion, that AO has a role.......and that role being on the floor during crunch time.

I just don't understand why AO deserves to play before Gray. Gray hasn't been producing that much but at least he is capable of scoring and finishing at the rim. AO is so frail. Gray has played four minutes in Hawaii so far. He must be back in the doghouse. I'm going to burn that damn thing down.

 

[Dawgs99]

I agree with you about Copes but the Okoloji argument doesn't hold water over the last two games. He only played 14 minutes today, yet he was our leading rebounder with 6. He also had two steals and played very good defense. In his 12 minutes yesterday, he scored the same amount of points as J2, Marko and Copes (all of whom played anywhere from 18-21 minutes).

He will never be a great scorer or a flashy player, but to say he doesn't earn his playing time is ridiculously off base. As much as I would love to see Gray get more time, he needs to find a way to steal it way from somebody else. I wish more of our players were as productive in the little amount of time that Okoloji was over our last two games.

Well said Tom, I think AO has probably played his best bball over the last 2 games. Copes has shown signs of life with some blocked shots but he has already been passed by Jenkins. I would hope Jenkins and Royal get the lions share of the front court minutes next year with Marko.

 

[Dawgs99]

I just don't understand why AO deserves to play before Gray. Gray hasn't been producing that much but at least he is capable of scoring and finishing at the rim. AO is so frail. Gray has played four minutes in Hawaii so far. He must be back in the doghouse. I'm going to burn that damn thing down.

Don't understand all the pining for VG, what has he done over the last season and a half that makes you think he's earned more time. He plays behind a sophomore now. Also AO doesn't play the same position so its hard to argue who should be getting the minutes. To clarify, I'm not an AO guy and I'm not advocating that he plays more, but he has def played better the last 2 games.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I just don't think Okoloji is that productive. I appreciate the fact that he tries hard and hustles. But, it's frustrating when he fouls constantly, gets knocked to the ground, clanks jumpers, runs people over.