Hard to believe we can top yesterday, but I imagine we will.
The first game will likely see more than 10,000 cheer on Old Dominion vs. VCU. A sellout wouldn’t exactly be news. Plus, it’s the most heated rivalry in the conference, and the two teams have a way of bringing out the best in each other. As we’ve said here, the games are amazingly well played, smooth, and high-level. We also have the fact that VCU is the underdog is this scenario.
For the Rams to win, they have to spread out Old Dominion on defense and move the ball into the lane key gap–about 10 feet from the basket in the middle of the floor. That gives them options–weak side pass, strong side pass, dump low, and a shot. If you force Old Dominion to move on defense, you negate the huge size advantage, and you get them in poor rebounding position.
Obviously getting up and down the court and not allowing ODU to set up and establish their zones is important. (This just in: fire is hot.)
On defense, VCU has got to force the ODU guards five feet from normal position. Old Dominion pretty much does what it wants to do on offense. What people seem to miss is this: they get focused on doubling low, or covering the off wing, or stopping penetration. Here the thing: once an ODU guard get the ball into the hands of a big man, it’s too late. The rest of the possession doesn’t matter, and you may as well go rebound.
I haven’t seen it, but I’m wagering your mortgage that the offensive spots ODU occupies when a post man gets the ball are also conveniently good rebounding positions. So you have to make the ODU big men catch the ball higher than they are used to seeing.
As for the Monarchs, the key is obviously transition threes. VCU really gets rolling when they hit bombs off secondary breaks. ODU will have to protect from the trail wing finding space to shoot. In any situation, if ODU establishes its defensive position, they are in good shape. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Monarchs let Larry Sander shoot 15 fadeaways from 12 feet and concentrate on rebounding. The threes don’t hurt you if you don’t allow them to be shot.
On offense, we preach patience. Forcing VCU to defend for 30 seconds important, as a worn down Rams defender is not as enthusiastic at that last effort to get in the face of a bigger ODU player.
Also, ODU needs to at least establish a threat from three. I have a sneaky suspicion we’re going to see more zone from Shaka Smart today. Darius James can finish 3-11 from three, but it’s important he begins 2-3 from three.
Enjoy, and we’ll be back later with a Pugs/Nor’easter preview.
