VCU's inside threat

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morrisar

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http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college ... /_/id/2991

Virginia Commonwealth as a team has not been any great shakes inside. Their overall rebounding and shot blocking numbers are very low, and the team can be over-reliant on the three-point shot (caveat: it's working for them most nights). The past couple of games have given coach Shaka Smart cause for hope, however.

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Skeen responded with a big game: 29 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in an upset of power-conference foe UCLA. Even in the NIT semis against Tennessee -- before he asked for the ball -- Skeen had 12 points, 14 boards and 3 blocks. The senior forward has done all this without getting into foul trouble, as well. If he can keep this up, this season's ODU/VCU battles -- always fierce -- should be very close affairs indeed.
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Hope Juvonte's lack of playing time is not a function of attitude or effort. Kid seems to have lots of physical tools and we could sure use his size inside for additional depth.
 
i hope not as well...saw in the clip XjohnX posted the bench looked pretty friggin stoked...coaches have to deal with this issue on every team from rec league to aau to college to pro...shaka seems to me to be an intelligent compassionate person...all players can learn from adversity..lets hope this is the case
 
RESRam said:
Hope Juvonte's lack of playing time is not a function of attitude or effort. Kid seems to have lots of physical tools and we could sure use his size inside for additional depth.
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I like District Baller's thoughts on the situation ... Juvonte is a freshman early in his first season playing outside of high school. I'm not sure he's who you want to bring into a tight game against Tennessee or UCLA this early in the year. Granted, we did see Rob Brandenberg for 21 minutes combined in both but that kid does not play like a freshman. We also saw D.J. Haley and I'm guessing it's mainly due to his size. I'm sure we'll start seeing some of Reddic either against USF (depending on how the game goes) or William & Mary.
 
morrisar said:
RESRam said:
Hope Juvonte's lack of playing time is not a function of attitude or effort. Kid seems to have lots of physical tools and we could sure use his size inside for additional depth.
Click to expand...

I like District Baller's thoughts on the situation ... Juvonte is a freshman early in his first season playing outside of high school. I'm not sure he's who you want to bring into a tight game against Tennessee or UCLA this early in the year. Granted, we did see Rob Brandenberg for 21 minutes combined in both but that kid does not play like a freshman. We also saw D.J. Haley and I'm guessing it's mainly due to his size. I'm sure we'll start seeing some of Reddic either against USF (depending on how the game goes) or William & Mary.
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Agreed, whatever trouble Juvonte got himself into early in the season that kept him out against VUU and UNCG really hurt him because those were his best opportunities to prove himself early in the season in the comforts of home. Rob and DJ were both able to get their feet wet in those games. He will just have to work his way in a little more slowly now.
 
DB,thanks for the insight regarding Juvonte. Can't wait to see the kid start to show his capabilities. Imagine the depth we'll have in the front court if he can start logging some quality minutes.
 
duncanlamb said:
Gieven the fact we are running a Rick Pitinno offense....Do any of you see us using skeen like Jamal Mashburn (Inside and Outside) as the season goes along? this suggests he can do it...maybe with a dash of glen robinson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WftgmpQJK1w
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I hope not, our rebounding numbers are piss poor as it is, and everyone has pointed that out already. Jamie has turned into more of a dominant lunch pail big man at VCU compared to what you saw from him at Wake, and given the success he is having in that role, just like the whole Rozzell vs. Nixon in the starting spot discussion, why change something when what you are doing now is working?
 
RESRam said:
DB,thanks for the insight regarding Juvonte. Can't wait to see the kid start to show his capabilities. Imagine the depth we'll have in the front court if he can start logging some quality minutes.
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I have seen his capabilities...its coming. He is learning the VCU way. We should start to see him log more minutes.
 
scoreone4sloth said:
RESRam said:
DB,thanks for the insight regarding Juvonte. Can't wait to see the kid start to show his capabilities. Imagine the depth we'll have in the front court if he can start logging some quality minutes.
Click to expand...

I have seen his capabilities...its coming. He is learning the VCU way. We should start to see him log more minutes.
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Can't wait!
 
All I know is that we can't build a better inside threat by having all our new players seated on the bench. :x
 
ramathon74 said:
All I know is that we can't build a better inside threat by having all our new players seated on the bench. :x
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Nothing that a few conference games against Towson, W&M and UD can't fix.
 
V - that is what I am hoping, once the tough part of the OOC is done, these new players will have a chance to play some minutes when we have a big lead.
 
As many have said on this thread, we've gotta find opportunities to play Juvonte and DJ more. While next year is just that, next year. We've got to be at least thinking about this a little bit, as we're going to be loosing a lot of good players. Heaven forbid if Jamie, Brad or even Toby were to get hurt right now.

I know that DJ's play in New York was rather average, but he surprised me against UCLA with the nice take to the basket and score.
 
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