Mental Toughness

[World B. Free]

This team lacks it in a major way. That is how you blow leads in the second half. Not making the right rotations on defense, not grabbing loose balls on the floor, not hustling and boxing out for rebounds, taking forced shots with plenty of time left on the shot clock and of course missing free throws in critical situations. For whatever reasons, a lot of guys on this team just can't make plays on the road when things aren't going well and the team needs someone to step up and make a play. The poor defensive efforts in the second half of these important games are a direct reflection of guys losing focus. I hope the guys rally around each other focus on the things they can control and become a tougher team these last couple of weeks. Really a shame because there is some nice talent on this team and obviously when all systems are rolling, the Rams can play with anybody. Now it looks like a Friday game is definitely in the cards for the CAA Tournament and a tough match-up on Saturday if we win. Things may look bad right now but I still have a feeling that this team has a great run left in them. Could be the fact that I think I'm still drunk from last night or that I just found out that the wife and baby will be out of town for the CAA tournament weekend but I digress.

Hang in there people!

Go RAMS!!!!!

 

[rammed]

direct reflection of guys losing focus

I agree with most of your post. I do think "focus" is a way over-used word in sports. The breakdowns you posted about, to me, represent a lack of physical and mental toughness and effort. With a few exceptions, toughness is in short supply. This version of the Rams is largely a finess team and we don't respond well to adversity and we don't respond well when teams smack us in the mouth.

Defense takes a lot more effort to play well than offense. In second halves of games when you are fatigued and the well is running dry, it becomes a test of how tough you are individually and as a team to gut it out and seal the deal.

 

[Wolfpack Ram]

I've been saying it since the first part of January. This team lacks both mental toughness and team chemistry. Coach Smart even alluded to it in the paper this morning. How can a team with this talent lose to a team that was 3-11 in the CAA, 10-15 overall coming into this game, only play 7 players against our deep bench and also have their stud foul out with 7:56 left in the game? That's just insane!!! This is one of the most underacheiving VCU teams I have seen in a long time.

Once again Rozzell only takes 5 shots and puts up the big goose egg. Why is he still starting? This VCU team has some serious mental issues that need to be addressed before Tuesday. Once again we are now chasing Drexel and W&M for the 4th seed and time is runing out. We may very well be the 6th seed in the CAA tournament and with the mental state of this team, no way do they win 4 games in 4 days. I'm not sure they could win 3 games in 3 days.

Regarding post season, we now may be in jeapardy of losing out on an NIT bid. We definitely will not get a home game if we do make the NIT, so we will probably be one and done the way we play on the road.

 

[Wolfpack Ram]

Defense takes a lot more effort to play well than offense. In second halves of games when you are fatigued and the well is running dry, it becomes a test of how tough you are individually and as a team to gut it out and seal the deal.

Fatigue??? JMU only played 7 players last night and Bowles fouled out with 7:56 left in the game. VCU played 11 players. VCU was out scored 43 - 30 in the second half after being up by 7 at the half. If anyone should have been fatigued, it was JMU. This VCU team just quit!!! Coach Smart should have made them find their own rides back to Richmond!!!

 

[rammed]

I wasn't referring specifically to the JMU game, but the 2nd half let downs in general. We aren't showing a toughness to play thru the fatigue.

 

[vcubanana]

It's like the issue with rebounding on both ends, you have to be committed to the cause. The little things are all part of the big picture.

 

[ram4life]

I have never coached college basketball. In fact, I have never played college basketball. I guess I had better let Coach Smart do his job and I will watch as a fan.

 

[VCU Finance 2008]

I have never coached college basketball. In fact, I have never played college basketball. I guess I had better let Coach Smart do his job and I will watch as a fan.

That is just crazy talk.

Seriously though, it would take a lot of money for me to want to be a college basketball coach. I am darn sure not going to attempt to do it for free on a message board. Much more fun just being a fan.

 

[Mercury]

I have never coached college basketball. In fact, I have never played college basketball. I guess I had better let Coach Smart do his job and I will watch as a fan.

That is just crazy talk.

Seriously though, it would take a lot of money for me to want to be a college basketball coach. I am darn sure not going to attempt to do it for free on a message board. Much more fun just being a fan.

Internship before I take over at NJIT