Coach's Show with Rammer, Mar 7

[HoosierPal]

Coach Ford appreciated the crowd.  9,125 in attendance.  Coach had a lot of ticket requests "off the chart".  That is his indicator of how large the crowd will be.  Played 35 minutes really well, 5 to 7 minutes weren't very good.  Guys in foul trouble and Linssen getting foul trouble didn't help.  When the student section is overflowing there is 'heat in the building'.

Courtney's three - it was an omen for the game.  Crowd was paying attention and knew the situation, giving him a standing O. 

TJ's jam - VCU presses 94 feet.  You have to make quick decisions if you are patient.  Patience was what lead to TJ's jam.  VCU tries to speed you up to make quick, bad shots.  That is the same as a turnover.  Need to make good decisions while playing aggressive (up tempo).  Quality of shot is the key. 

Jimerson's 3 from Linssen assist.  Team was moving the ball quickly.  We did a good job of finding the open shooters.  Get two guys to play you and then find the open guy. Jimerson was in the groove in the first half.  Collins was putting the ball right into his shooting pattern, allowing Jimerson to go straight into the shot rather than cocking the shot.  He is doing better in getting his shot in the flow of the offense.   Jimerson can take a more difficult shot than others on the team.  

Extended the lead in the second half, with Okoro keeping the Bills run going.  Rams made a run to come back.  They play in spurts.  We needed to keep scoring and we went into a drought.  We were shooting bad shots allowing VCU back into the game.  For about 5 minutes we fed into their defensive pressure.

Collins shot - he had the guts to take it inside.  Then an unbelievable defensive stop by Thatch on Williams.  Thatch forced him into a very tough shot.   

League's unbalance schedule makes the upcoming tourney up for grabs, as some of the top teams have only played each other once.  Not a whole lot separating the top tier.

Senior Day - two emotional moments.  Courtney mentioning Ford Stuen was special.  Jones didn't have family members present, so the entire Team Blue stepped up for him.  That was special because he had only been here 7 to 8 months. 

Players got off yesterday and today.  Team needs to recharge their batteries.  Team will prepare tomorrow here and Wednesday in DC - at Georgetown.  We have to play better than we have played yet this year to win 4 games.  No idea who to pick in the StJoe / LaSalle game.  Staff will be at the game with both teams scouted.  Whoever had StJ earlier will get them again.  This will be unique is that the coach will be in the stands which they usually aren't.  "But we know everything they do and they both know us."  They might throw something new out there they have been saving, like a new inbound play.  The Wed practice will be after this game is over.  For the Bills the Fred Thatch force is 'new' for the Bills.  Ford suggests he should be Most Improved Player in A10.  Thatch never made excuses when he was ill and when he wasn't starting. 

Talked about the Tourney in Atlantic City.  Rammer liked the big ole barn in Atlantic City, Ford didn't.  Ford likes playing in NBA arenas.  Both liked the previous tourney in DC.  Hotels were right near the Arena before-you could walk, but aren't this year.  They will have to bus into the arena.

Ford has been asked a lot about the league, and is it being disrespected?  'The league didn't really do a lot in OOC.  A few good wins, but not enough.  Right now A10 has teams playing high level. 

All A10 Teams.  No question Collins is first team. "Should be Player of the Year".  Staff voted this morning on the various teams, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Defense.  Staff used a white board and had more names than slots on the teams.  This is probably the most quality Ford has seen in the A10.  Jimerson should be All Conference since every team focuses on stopping him.  Fred has to be First Team All D.  Osunniyi likely Defensive Player of the Year.  Gilyard was only 2nd in the A10 in steals behind Baldwin in conference games.  Collins should be All D.  You cannot vote for your own players.  "The entire Dayton team could be Freshman of the Year". 

Came back to talk about Linssen on Senior Day.  Family hadn't seen him since his freshman year at Valpo. Parents flew into DC, rented a car and drove here, and now are driving back to DC for the Tourney. He had a heck of a game.  Had to get stitches in a crucial part of the game.  Coach wanted him in the lineup but he was getting stitched up.  Entire family is tall.

How did we recover from losing Perkins, what changes were made.  Season was 'there' and we didn't have much time to react.  Staff met the next day.  Goals didn't change.  Had to change course, losing 20-22 points per game.  Expected Jimerson and Collins to pick some of that up.  Focus on getting to the Line more.  Needed not to be sorry but how do you bring more.  Early tourney was a legit win against SFA. Played horrific at Memphis, but we learned a lot.  Iona was a special win.  Stumbling at UMass was tough.  We weren't locked in.

We have to put 40 min together, back to back.

[billikenbill]

Thanks for the summary!!

[Cowboy II]

-thanks for posting the summary

[HoosierPal]

11 hours ago, billikenbill said:

Thanks for the summary!!

 

6 minutes ago, Cowboy II said:

-thanks for posting the summary

Thanks for the responses.  I listen and just let the keys fly.  Sometimes what I type doesn't make sense, but I hope you can figure it out....no quality control check.  

[Taj79]

Despite some  previous disagreements, the stuff you are providing in posts like these are invaluable.  Appreciate it.