Shaka Smart "Coach's Corner"

[benchwarmer]

Good update - thx.

So Florida, FSU, Miami, or South Florida? Did I miss any BCS schools in Florida?

Probably USF if I had to guess. Stan Heath was at Kent State when they went to the Elite 8. Perhaps Shaka is familiar with him from his days at Akron and is working out a game.

Maybe we will play them all!

 

[Mercury]

Good update - thx.

So Florida, FSU, Miami, or South Florida? Did I miss any BCS schools in Florida?

Probably USF if I had to guess. Stan Heath was at Kent State when they went to the Elite 8. Perhaps Shaka is familiar with him from his days at Akron and is working out a game.

That would be my guess too. Wonder if they will be coming here aswell or is it just one a done(Most likely)

Also gets a chance for Kasey Wilson to see the Rams in person without going too far

 

[vcu_dan]

This was a great event, I hope it occurs again.
Some highlights:
-We are looking to schedule a BCS team from Florida next year, Coach said it was 99% a done deal. This game would be so Joey, Larry, and Ed could play in their homestate
-He also confirmed the preseason NIT next year and said scheduling would be difficult for next year because a lot of the games were scheduled in advance. He said he'd be looking to schedule tough teams for his 3rd year here and beyone
-Coach talked about Reco and Rob. Said they could come in early and contribute, was very impressed by both of them. Rob's team is 20-0 and ranked second in Ohio, Coach said he loves his leadership and Rob is putting up great stats. As for Reco, he actually referenced a youtube video when asked a question about him, which I thought was funny. Said Reco visited Georgia and Oklahoma before picking VCU. Reco is the best suited for Shaka's style of play especially for the press (even considering who we have on the team now). Said he could finish above the rim. Mike Jones watched him play tonight
-Coach said we don't really go head to head with CAA Schools when going for recruits.
-Talked about how big of an impact the fans have on recruits during the games.
-Said Larry would make the best decision possible for himself and his family and Shaka wants nothing but that
-Talked about some of our rivalries and how he hopes to continue his success against ODU and Richmond
-Spoke of the struggles against Northeastern
-He also mentioned the importance of being a Life coach to his players
-Stated joey could be our MVP and how Ed is the suprise player of the year and could very well be the CAA Defensive player of the year

any mention of our newest ram? Or is that a big no no since he hasn't signed?

 

[VCUsummerof69]

at the beginning of the interview session they made it clear he could only comment on signed recruits.

 

[Rambler]

Also gets a chance for Kasey Wilson to see the Rams in person without going too far

Gives me a chance to see the Rams in person too! USF is two hours north and I wouldn't miss it for anything!!! Come on Shaka...GIT-R-DONE!!!

 

[VCUsummerof69]

Another point I forgot to add. When asked about the disparity in wins at home and wins at the road shaka said something interesting. He said there are two types of players, on who in his mind can get psyched up and get himself emotionally ready, and the other who feeds off the crowd and the people watching him to be psyched up for the game. Coach said there are a couple of players that just seem like different people on the road.

 

[MarcusNation]

Another point I forgot to add. When asked about the disparity in wins at home and wins at the road shaka said something interesting. He said there are two types of players, on who in his mind can get psyched up and get himself emotionally ready, and the other who feeds off the crowd and the people watching him to be psyched up for the game. Coach said there are a couple of players that just seem like different people on the road.

That is a very realistic way to look at the situation. I can totally see what he is trying to convey with that statement. Although, I do wish I didn't have that opinion.

 

[MozingoWasFilthy]

I would say this applies to several of our players (unfortunately)..........Rozzell and Burgess come to mind, especially Brandon.

This (lack of fight, fire, confidence, energy on the road from a few players) is probably the primary reason we are 19-7 instead of 21-5 or 22-4..............headed for a Friday CAA tourney game instead of a first round bye...............and have no at-large hopes (with an RPI of 58) instead of on the bubble with an RPI in the 30s or low 40s.

Road losses to sub-100 RPI Drexel, JMU, and W. Mich just make you shake your head............and the narrow losses at W&M and GMU after holding huge second half leads are also haunting us. Such a waste of a stellar 9-1 OOC performance.............

Hopefully, because of these near misses, we carry a major "make-amends" chip on our shoulder at the Coliseum in March.

It's always interesting to watch how certain players react when it's crunch time away from home in a big game............I sure hope the heck the players (collectively) are royally pissed off Fri-Mon at the Coliseum.

 

[fmrick]

Yes thats right although currently we have a better rpi than both south florida and miami so a win over either wouldn't have boosted our rpi that much if you go by this year. you gotta beat a top 20 team to really get an rpi boost like ODU did by winning at georgetown. A game at florida state would be much better rpi wise. I doubt we would play at florida but who knows ? We used to play south florida in the old sun belt. I hardly consider them a 'bcs school' since they have only been division one football for a few years but i guess if you are in the big east you are considered a bcs school. I don't really like that term used for basketball but i guess they can't come up with anything better. FWIW - south florida is 9-4 at home this year. miami is 10-2. Florida is 12-3 at home and FSU is 12-2...tough to win at those places !

How can you say what effect any team would have RPI-wise a year in advance, when you have no clue what their record will be? RPI has nothing to do with reputation and everything to do with winning percentage. You get the same credit to your RPI for beating any team on the road (1.4 wins) on your winning percentage. The teams you play winning percentage is 50% of your score. So it is better to beat a 22-7 team on the road then to beat a 14-14 team, no matter what conference either team is in. Any road win against at top 150 team will boast your RPI.

Beating ODU at ODU will boast our RPI by 10 or more spots.

I'll take any BCS game.

 

[MADRAM]

They BETTER get psyched up for CAA tourney. We'll see what we're made of against ODU this Saturday. This team has much to prove as road warriors. Though it’s been a bumpy bus ride I think we are ready and will win against ODU. The ODU game will be a GREAT confidence builder going into the tournament.


I'd like for us to be CAA champs but that aint happening. That said I don't care what seed we are. We are a very talented team nobody wants to play. Bring on NU, ODU whoever....I especially want GMU…beat them like a drum like years past in the tournament.



But first, STOMP JMU!


LETS DO THIS! GO RAMS, GO VCU!!!