What did we learn from UT...

[VCU Three]

There are always good and bad things that can be taken from a game, even a loss.

Let's start with the Good...
1.) Jamie Skeen is a man. He can play at every level and we should be thankful he chose VCU.
2.) Theus held his own at the point while Joey was out for considerable periods of time. That bodes well for our future.
3.) The VCU Rams are not intimidated by any team or venue.
4.) Brandon Rozzell is a big time shooter and he has not hung his head as a non-starter.
5.) We can hit some free throws

Now for a little bad...
1.) Joey will have a tough time shaking the perception he "melts under the big lights" if he doesn't play well Friday against the team that almost chased him out of RIC.
2.) The defensive pressing scheme will give up a basket or two but UT got way to many uncontested baskets. Scheme, execution, or talent? One or more of them was lacking.
3.) May be a sophomore slump, but Daniels has got to find his shot. His minutes are already shrinking and he is too good a shooter and defender to basically shoot his way off the court.

and lastly and I know it is a snarky statement...

Will the Rams have any dunks this year? Believe we were again rejected at the rim 2 or 3 times last night.

 

[ISwamRam]

Looking over the stat line it's amazing the similarities, we were right with them in all categories but the important ones...rebounding and shot %...and considering we've not had to play a team nearly as good as UT this season (and maybe last), I'm pretty psyched by a 5 point loss all things considered.

The positives you listed are spot on...but I think Joey's performance was less nerves and more his ankle, but if you're not 100% and know it...that's gonna play in to your game, too. I wouldn't be surprised if his playing time is limited Friday. If he's not close to 100% I'd rather him sit so we have him the rest of the season when it really matters. And you know what...I'm not worried, not like when Larry sat last year. Joey's key, but I've got faith that DT can manage.

GO RAMS! Revenge Tour 2.0...BEAT some BRUINS

 

[RamboRowdy]

I got to disagree with the not intimidated by any venue part. The horrible shooting was other just VCU playing sloppy or them not handling playing in MSG in a big time game. I'm leaning toward to the second one.

 

[Rambunctious]

We pretty much have the same story as every Rams team for at least the last 5 years. All perimeter scoring and no real inside game.

 

[4RunningRam]

When the press works, it's the best thing you've ever seen. The problem, however, is that when the press is broken VCU is slow to get a man deep to protect the basket on an easy transition bucket. This occurred several times against UT ( as was noted during the game by Fran Fraschilla.) It didnt appear as if any real adjustment was made to combat this, but that's certainly a take-away from the UT game an an opportunity to learn and improve.

 

[4RunningRam]

We're also very reliant on the upper-classmen/Grant's recruits. Shaka's signees only accounted for 7 points against UT. To date, and perhaps this will change, this team is missing an underclassman along the lines of Burgess or even Sanders (from a defensive standpoint) that can step in and change the game from time to time. In fairness, we're only 4 games in...I'd like to think by middle January this will have changed and more than likely will. Still, in terms of what's apparent 4 games in, this is obviously apparent

 

[major ram]

what about the mins theus played? Other than him and Daniels you are looking at true freshmen. Feel free to make this comment in February but this is way early to judge Rob and Jevonte as well ad DJ
Your implication is that vcu isnt producing from its recruiting for 2 years? Last year only had 2 schollys and I think Theus is doing pretty well and Daniels has some promise. The freshman class is plenty good and although you say in your post give them some time it doesnt seem like you are.
thats sorta like taking a shot at someone and then saying oops really didnt mean it...
let me go back to drinking my koolaid...supporting our perfect AD and Coach

 

[milanbear]

Joey will be great for caa games, but he's limited when playing against stronger and more athletic teams.

 

[RustyShackleford]

and lastly and I know it is a snarky statement...

Will the Rams have any dunks this year? Believe we were again rejected at the rim 2 or 3 times last night.

Not sure what snarky means, but we had quite a few dunks in Winston Salem. Nothing rim rocking like what we saw last year though.

 

[4RunningRam]

what about the mins theus played? Other than him and Daniels you are looking at true freshmen.

Certainly Theus has been consistent in the press and rarely ever hurts the team by being out there; he's just not a game-changer offensively at this point...or as suggested on this forum last year "the next Maynor".

 

[VCU4LIFE]

We're also very reliant on the upper-classmen/Grant's recruits. Shaka's signees only accounted for 7 points against UT. To date, and perhaps this will change, this team is missing an underclassman along the lines of Burgess or even Sanders (from a defensive standpoint) that can step in and change the game from time to time. In fairness, we're only 4 games in...I'd like to think by middle January this will have changed and more than likely will. Still, in terms of what's apparent 4 games in, this is obviously apparent

So in your book, Shaka is doing a piss-poor job with a team full of someone else's recruits?

 

[rammad90]

Joey will be great for caa games, but he's limited when playing against stronger and more athletic teams.

I think you might want to change your opinion. The kid had 15 points 5 assists on a bum ankle. His shots were all timely. He is better than all CAA not quite E. Maynor but really good.

As to Theus being ready he aint even Joey. He was picked clean his first possession during the UT game and cojuldnt get it going. He didn't do much better at UCLA. If Joey struggled Theus suffered.

We really need Joey, and as Joey played badly his first time at UCLA so did Theus during this tourney. However, it is my guess that Theus gets better for this experience and does his thing next year.

 

[Ramdog]

So in your book, Shaka is doing a piss-poor job with a team full of someone else's recruits?

His post sure says that...haters

Rob's 9 points in 10 minutes was because of Grant as well

 

[fmrick]

So in your book, Shaka is doing a piss-poor job with a team full of someone else's recruits?

His post sure says that...haters

Rob's 9 points in 10 minutes was because of Grant as well

And nobody wants to give UT any credit for their defense, even though we now see they did almost the EXACT same thing to Nova.

As for the Joey comments, people are kidding right? The kid goes out there and plays with heart, and keeps things together even with a bum leg. Joey spends his Thanksgiving in bed in a Hotel room with both his upper leg and ankle iced, then he gets up and plays IN PAIN to help us win the game. Those I talked to in NY who know his situation said he was in pain and about 60%.

Come people, this kid has heart. How many of us would have even got out of bed in that bad of condition, much less played ours butts off like he did.

Joey- You are my Hero! Thanks for giving it your all for our team.

 

[BradRamFan]

As to Theus being ready he aint even Joey. He was picked clean his first possession during the UT game and cojuldnt get it going. He didn't do much better at UCLA. If Joey struggled Theus suffered.

Disagree with your assessment. He has handled the ball very well this season. He is only a sophomore and didn't get a lot of consistent playing time last year. It is only 4 games into the season. But of course he is not joey. joey is a senior and has played for four years. But I don't feel worried with Theus at the point.