The Odom Era (2023-TBD)

[GuardTheArc]

Major concerns/challenges abound.

The past two decades (2004-23), VCU has danced 13 times over 19 post-seasons (good for 17th in the NCAA). Winning percentage is 13th amongst all 350+ D-1 programs. VCU is (and has been) solidly entrenched as a Top 50 program.

Four primary reasons (in no particular order):
1) Continuity (4-yr kids)
2) Recruiting (player evaluation/development)
3) Defensive culture (i.e. playing style/approach)
4) Young-ish coaching hires (upcoming, energetic, ambitious)

In 2023-24 and going forward, it's a new world order, though, as we enter the Odom era..........NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, etc. The landscape/environment has changed (somewhat dramatically).

1) Continuity - the future of the "4-yr kid" is in serious jeopardy (the ones that provide production, efficiency, continuity, leadership, competitive advantages, etc).

Likely no more or, at least, a rarity (all 4-yr kids):
BA Walker - 2 NCAAs
Jesse Pellot-Rosa - 2 NCAAs
Nick George - 1 NCAA
Jamal Shuler - 1 NCAA
Eric Maynor - 2 NCAAs
Mike Anderson - 1 NCAA
Joey Rodriguez - 2 NCAAs
Ed Nixon - 2 NCAAs
Brandon Rozzell - 2 NCAAs
Brad Burgess - 3 NCAAs
Jordan Burgess - 4 NCAAs
Doug Brooks - 4 NCAAs
Treveon Graham - 4 NCAAs
Troy Daniels - 3 NCAAs
Darius Theus - 3 NCAAs
Juvonte Reddic - 4 NCAAs
Mo Alie-Cox - 4 NCAAs
Briante Weber - 4 NCAAs
Jared Guest - 4 NCAAs
Jequan Lewis - 4 NCAAs
Melvin Johnson - 4 NCAAs
Justin Tillman - 3 NCAAs
Johnny Williams - 3 NCAAs
Deriante Jenkins - 2 NCAAs
Malik Crowfield - 2 NCAAs
Vince Williams - 2 NCAAs
KeShawn Curry - 2 NCAAs

2) Recruiting - does Odom and his staff have a track record of high-level (P6 level) recruiting (experience/success) at UMBC/Utah St? A recent East Coast presence at the Top 200 (HS kids) level?

3) Defensive Culture - does Odom and his staff have a track record of fielding highly competitive, defensive-oriented, gritty, tough-minded squads (in the mold of previous VCU teams)? Can his new backcourt/perimeter pressure the ball, lock down opposing guards/wings, and create turnovers/missed shots like previous Ram editions? Nelson/Shulga/Jackson/Belle/Billups/Bairstow is a vastly different look than Baldwin/Nunn/Kern/Watkins/Banks/Jackson.

4) Coaching hires - 2023-24 presents not just a regime change but it appears a philosophical change as well (international players, hometown kids, offense-focused, etc). VCU is deviating from it's proven formula (hire "relatively" young, hungry, upcoming coach/staff) for a more "seasoned/outwardly polished" leader (Odom, nearly 50). Interesting choice/direction.

 

[PhantomRam]

VCU is not the only program to face the "new world order" as you say. The landscape has changed for everybody. No question that the mid-majors will have it tougher. Is RO the guy? Time will tell. But to be honest I am not overly optimistic that any mid-major can be successful in the new world. I think the biggest key will be what the A-10 can do as a conference going forward. If things keep shifting, I am not sure SS himself could continue to keep us relevant to the point described above.

 

[RamJamFan]

Major concerns/challenges abound.

The past two decades (2004-23), VCU has danced 13 times over 19 post-seasons (good for 17th in the NCAA). Winning percentage is 13th amongst all 350+ D-1 programs. VCU is (and has been) solidly entrenched as a Top 50 program.

Four primary reasons (in no particular order):
1) Continuity (4-yr kids)
2) Recruiting (player evaluation/development)
3) Defensive culture (i.e. playing style)
4) Young-ish coaching hires (upcoming, energetic, ambitious)

In 2023-24 and going forward, it's a new world order, though, as we enter the Odom era..........NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, etc. The landscape/environment has changed (somewhat dramatically).

1) Continuity - the future of the "4-yr kid" is in serious jeopardy (the ones that provide production, efficiency, continuity, leadership, competitive advantages, etc).

Likely no more or, at least, a rarity (all 4-yr kids):
BA Walker - 2 NCAAs
Jesse Pellot-Rosa - 2 NCAAs
Nick George - 1 NCAA
Jamal Shuler - 1 NCAA
Eric Maynor - 2 NCAAs
Mike Anderson - 1 NCAA
Joey Rodriguez - 2 NCAAs
Ed Nixon - 2 NCAAs
Brandon Rozzell - 2 NCAAs
Brad Burgess - 3 NCAAs
Jordan Burgess - 4 NCAAs
Doug Brooks - 4 NCAAs
Treveon Graham - 4 NCAAs
Troy Daniels - 3 NCAAs
Darius Theus - 3 NCAAs
Juvonte Reddic - 4 NCAAs
Mo Alie-Cox - 4 NCAAs
Briante Weber - 4 NCAAs
Jared Guest - 4 NCAAs
Jequan Lewis - 4 NCAAs
Melvin Johnson - 4 NCAAs
Justin Tillman - 3 NCAAs
Johnny Williams - 3 NCAAs
Deriante Jenkins - 2 NCAAs
Malik Crowfield - 2 NCAAs
Vince Williams - 2 NCAAs
KeShawn Curry - 2 NCAAs

2) Recruiting - does Odom and his staff have a track record of high-level (P6 level) recruiting (experience) at UMBC/Utah St? A recent East Coast presence at the Top 200 (HS kids) level?

3) Defensive Culture - does Odom and his staff have a track record of fielding highly competitive, defensive-oriented, gritty, tough-minded squads (in the mold of previous VCU teams)? Can his new backcourt/perimeter pressure the ball, lock down opposing guards/wings, and create turnovers/missed shots like previous Ram editions? Nelson/Shulga/Jackson/Belle/Billups/Bairstow is a vastly different look than Baldwin/Nunn/Kern/Watkins/Banks/Jackson.

4) Coaching hires - 2023-24 presents not just a regime change but it appears a philosophical change as well (international players, hometown kids, offense-focused, etc). VCU is deviating from it's proven formula (hire "relatively" young, hungry, upcoming coach/staff) for a more "seasoned/polished" leader (Odom, nearly 50). Interesting choice.

Nice job or describing last several decades of VCU bb philosophy. As mid major we did an excellent job in all those areas; however, times are changing and we can feel it happening. The portal and instability of never ending conference realignment has significantly impacted the first two: continuity and recruiting. Our player development had been one of our strengths, along with good coaching. There’s no doubt the portal will hurt our continuity, but it may help us fill needs more quickly. I wasn’t real impressed with our initial use of the portal, but MR, like many, was probably learning how to use it. The bottom line is we really can’t control much of that change. The biggest factor we can control is who our head coach is. That person and staff will guide us through all of these transitions. I’m extremely impressed with the talent RO cobbled together under short notice. This season we’ll witness his coaching and philosophy, next year his truer recruiting ability. Given all the change in college bb I really like the timing of this new RO era for VCU. We are going through significant change, but I’m glad MR forced us to change. I felt the trajectory of our offense and conference would have kept our ceiling low for next step growth. Now perhaps we can continuing moving forward.