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A school like VCU (Top 50 program, top five non-P6 program, multi-bid conf, regular NCAA participant, etc) should, theoretically, be a desired landing spot for some P5 “transfer down” players (like Johns, Zeb, Stockard, Tsohonis, Nichols, Fameni, Skeen, Shannon, etc) looking to play (and earn)...

Recruiting (roster construction/management) is roughly 70% of the battle. Ryan Odom and his staff do not have an extensive history (track record) of proven talent recognition/evaluation and or high-level (P6-ish) recruiting success.

Jason Nelson was not (is not) a VCU-level guard. Offering him last Spring was a mistake by the staff. They made several mistakes on the recruiting/portal front. Jason Nelson would be better served at (the level of) Towson, Radford, Monmouth, William and Mary, UMBC, Mount St Mary’s, etc.

4/20/24 As of right now, Ryan Odom (and staff) need to acquire seven (7) players. There are approximately 2,500+ kids in the portal (D-1/D-2), all with a collegiate-level track record/history to review/analyze. There are also JUCO kids, International kids, HS kids, and such. VCU is a Top 50...

4/19/24 Double-digit scoring 5th yr eligible kids (like Jax/Bam) don't generally return (or commit) to non-P6 programs unless they expect (or have been promised) to start and play big minutes/have significant roles. While Zeb's announcement is a positive development, it will now be a bit more...

Most quality non-P6 performers/transfers are looking to elevate to P6 programs if they can. Would be somewhat surprised if he doesn’t commit while in Charlottesville or Ames.

4/9/24 Double-digit scoring 5th yr kids (like Jax/Bam) don't generally return (or commit) to non-P6 programs unless they expect (or have been promised) to start and play big minutes/have significant roles. While Zeb's announcement is a positive development, it will now be a bit more...

That’s not how it works. 🤦🏻

Odom and staff had nearly as much time in the portal last year as most staffs (and 200 minutes/8 slots to sell to 1,500-2,000 portal prospects); they were representing a Top 3 non-P6 (and Top 50) program coming off (another) NCAA appearance. He and his staff had a lot more to sell/offer than...

For a program like VCU with NCAA Tournament aspirations/expectations annually, this statement above is not at all the approach to, or thought process behind, effective roster construction/player management (by the coaching staff) in the transfer portal era. This post is littered with factual...

Ryan Odom and his staff, IMO, had a very sloppy, lazy, uninspiring, mistake-filled portal effort in Year 1. They clearly undersold the VCU program (a Top 50 program nationally and a Top 3 non-P6 program). Effective portal recruiting (which, for 2024-25, should require anywhere from 5-12...

False

Incorrect

Wrong

Easily the most important aspect of Ryan Odom (and staff's) job - Recruiting/Retention. With the portal, "slotting" (as outlined below) is critical (to facilitate honest communication/expectations and sound decision making/evaluations). Kids, both prospective newbies and incumbents, will...

Minutes allocations against Duquesne (assuming no injuries/foul trouble): Shulga/Jax/Bairstow/Bam = 135 minutes (32-35 each) Lawal/Belle = 40-45 minutes combined Fermin/Kuany = 20-25 minutes combined Total = 200 minutes Let the senior scorers/leaders determine their fate. This is why they...

Wrong

Regular Rotation: VCU Seniors = 5 (two 5th yr kids) St Joe’s Seniors = 1 Great opportunity for any (or several) of our five (5) seniors, none of whom have ever really been “the man” at the D-1 level, to step up on the big stage this weekend and deliver.

Minutes/strategy analysis: Five (5) Seniors + Lawal/Belle = 165 minutes today (good; should probably be even higher at this point; 180+) Lead cut to six at the 3:57 mark; season on the line; Nelson in the game (mistake) and shooting/missing at the 3:00 mark. If I’m going down, I’m pretty much...

At this point, play primarily the five (5) seniors (and Lawal). It’s their (the seniors) college careers/legacies at stake. Let them (collectively) determine their ending. The others (FR/SO) aren’t ready/prepared/equipped for this (though I would also sprinkle in Belle a bit for D). UR is in...