Comments on: My Mistake, Four Coffins… http://www.caahoops.com/2010/02/my-mistake-four-coffins/ Life As A Mid Major Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:19:55 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: mlitos http://www.caahoops.com/2010/02/my-mistake-four-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-1723 mlitos Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:33:39 +0000 http://www.caahoops.com/?p=2124#comment-1723 Here's my guess, and just my opinion...it may be an ego thing. Nixon doesn't care if he starts or not--he just wants to play. Rozzell might need the ego boost of being labeled a starter. So, the best way to achieve harmony is to let each guy have what he needs--Rozzell starts and Nixon sees more minutes. Maybe Smart likes for Nixon to see what's going on for a few minutes so Nixon can be more effective when he gets in there. And maybe Nixon becomes half as effective when he is tired; so a rested Nixon when the other team's starters are wearing down is even better for VCU. It does always seem like Nixon is on the floor when VCU starts rolling, though. Here’s my guess, and just my opinion…it may be an ego thing. Nixon doesn’t care if he starts or not–he just wants to play. Rozzell might need the ego boost of being labeled a starter. So, the best way to achieve harmony is to let each guy have what he needs–Rozzell starts and Nixon sees more minutes.

Maybe Smart likes for Nixon to see what’s going on for a few minutes so Nixon can be more effective when he gets in there. And maybe Nixon becomes half as effective when he is tired; so a rested Nixon when the other team’s starters are wearing down is even better for VCU.

It does always seem like Nixon is on the floor when VCU starts rolling, though.

]]> By: Shawn http://www.caahoops.com/2010/02/my-mistake-four-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-1722 Shawn Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:13:21 +0000 http://www.caahoops.com/?p=2124#comment-1722 Great points, Jim - on the Mason stuff. I really have no clue about anyone on VCU except Sanders. I look forward to him leaving early for the NBA after this year... Great points, Jim – on the Mason stuff. I really have no clue about anyone on VCU except Sanders. I look forward to him leaving early for the NBA after this year…

]]> By: Jim http://www.caahoops.com/2010/02/my-mistake-four-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-1721 Jim Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:43:59 +0000 http://www.caahoops.com/?p=2124#comment-1721 Also, just wanted to point out that despite getting the worst game of the season from its best player, and GSU getting the best game of Jihad Ali's life, Mason still had a chance to tie with a 3 in the last 10 seconds of a conference road game -- against a team that always seems to play GMU tough. Does the loss hurt? Yep. But when you really think about it, it's actually kind of encouraging for Mason fans because several young guys (especially Hancock) stepped up and made plays when Long was struggling. As this maturation process continues, the team will learn to win games without Cam having to go off for 20-plus points. Then Coach L won't sound so nervous any more. Also, just wanted to point out that despite getting the worst game of the season from its best player, and GSU getting the best game of Jihad Ali’s life, Mason still had a chance to tie with a 3 in the last 10 seconds of a conference road game — against a team that always seems to play GMU tough.

Does the loss hurt? Yep. But when you really think about it, it’s actually kind of encouraging for Mason fans because several young guys (especially Hancock) stepped up and made plays when Long was struggling. As this maturation process continues, the team will learn to win games without Cam having to go off for 20-plus points. Then Coach L won’t sound so nervous any more.

]]> By: Jim http://www.caahoops.com/2010/02/my-mistake-four-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-1720 Jim Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:34:01 +0000 http://www.caahoops.com/?p=2124#comment-1720 Mike, I wanted to get your thoughts on why Ed Nixon continues to be used exclusively off the bench and in much more limited playing time than his performance would seem to justify. The guy is a MUCH better defender than either Burgess or Rozzell (especially in a pressing scheme), and now that he has a legit outside stroke to go with his slashing game, he's a nightmare to defend. If Rozzell isn't hitting 3s, I really don't have much use for his game at all. Obviously Smart knows his personnel and what he's looking for better than some poster on a basketball blog -- heck, I'm not even a VCU fan -- but it seems to me that Nixon has played his way into the lineup ahead of either of the other two wing players. He could really add another dimension to that offense because he's the only guy on the team capable of consistently driving the ball into the paint and creating mayhem for the opposing D. What say you? Mike, I wanted to get your thoughts on why Ed Nixon continues to be used exclusively off the bench and in much more limited playing time than his performance would seem to justify. The guy is a MUCH better defender than either Burgess or Rozzell (especially in a pressing scheme), and now that he has a legit outside stroke to go with his slashing game, he’s a nightmare to defend. If Rozzell isn’t hitting 3s, I really don’t have much use for his game at all.

Obviously Smart knows his personnel and what he’s looking for better than some poster on a basketball blog — heck, I’m not even a VCU fan — but it seems to me that Nixon has played his way into the lineup ahead of either of the other two wing players. He could really add another dimension to that offense because he’s the only guy on the team capable of consistently driving the ball into the paint and creating mayhem for the opposing D.

What say you?

]]>