GREAT game and congratulations!

[C0|dB|00ded]

That game was ugly and we still have A LOT of work to do

Do you remember the SIU games when they implemented "Havok" defense? Same thing. There's a gentleman's agreement amongst NCAA coach's that you just don't ghey up the game with excessive defensive schemes. It's bad for talented basketball players. It's bad for fans of basketball. It got so bad with SIU that they were literally recruiting football players instead of basketball players. The NBA as well as the NHL have had to institute rules disallowing certain defensive schemes just to preserve the flow and beauty of the game. VCU is just SIU in 2012.


T


...:cool:

[shoxtop]

I love defensive basketball. I hate the nba. I would rather watch a valley defensive basketball game/struggle than an acc highlight reel game any day of the week.

[C0|dB|00ded]

I love defensive basketball. I hate the nba. I would rather watch a valley defensive basketball game/struggle than an acc highlight reel game any day of the week.

Noted. But your opinion is in the minority.


T


...:cool:

[Speed]

I appreciate the intense game. Both mid majors took a big step forward if they keep winning. As for the Shox, remember that the whistle will be different in Valley play.

[shoxtop]

I'm just fine with that as long as they never try to ruin this great game the way the nfl did. Sadly it's become more and more that people would rather see massive amounts of offense than a team game of hard work. Again, I'll take MTXE over 100 points a game anyday and that's exactly what the shocks showed tonight.

[ShockTalk]

I'm just fine with that as long as they never try to ruin this great game the way the nfl did. Sadly it's become more and more that people would rather see massive amounts of offense than a team game of hard work. Again, I'll take MTXE over 100 points a game anyday and that's exactly what the shocks showed tonight.

Actually, this Shocker team has shown they can do both. :applause:

[molly jabali]

Cold, you've made several references to gimmicky type defenses that VCU has used...not saying I like them either, but isn't that what good coaches do to figure out ways to win? When Wooden started using his 2-2-1 full court zone press, it was probably thought of as at least unusual and out of the box...and every coach probably uses some 'box and one' stuff...I've never seen a gentlemen's agreement discussed anywhere, either, so I'm interested in knowing why you feel so strongly. I feel on the other hand a disdain for Syracuse's 2-3 constant zone, which to me is lazy, even though with the Oranges' athletes probably isn't.

[Slalomshocker]

Having athletes capable of brining intense defensive pressure for 40 mins = Gimmicky? Hardly not. It would seem to me that VCU works a heck of a lot harder in practice than the majority of the power 6 teams that are offense oriented. Like was mentioned already, a good coach figures out a way to win, thats what they are paid to do. If a team lacks Kentucky-like NBA talent, that team must play some semblance of defense. VCU plays very good defense and does nothing more than full court man-to-man and full court trapping, very common defenses employed during many NCAA Div I games. It just so happens most of the time these are implemented are in desperation, possibly because the teams are not physically capable of playing that brand of basketball for long stretches. Gimmicky to me is the Deleware St offense that doesnt even go into its set until the shot clock reaches 10 (at least that was the case when WSU lost to Illinois in South Padre), or to a lesser extent Wisconsin slowing the game to a snails pace. 53 to them is a good offensive output! Teams have to overcome their own short comings, defense is much easier to teach than how to shoot a basketball. Personally, I would love to see Marshall implement more full court defense as I believe we have the physical talent and depth to make it work very well. VCU normally does a good job of turning their "gimmicky" defense into quite a bit of offense. Uncontested breakaway layups created from strong defensive play is the easiest shots in basketball. Oh, and just in case people need a reminder of what "gimmicky" defense does for you, go back and watch the game again...they showed the 2011 Final Four banner a couple of times during the broadcast. You could also check SIUs sweet 16s and dominance of the MVC during their decade long run. In a time where everyone focuses on offense, it is the teams that can play defense (even just a little) that win championships (See WSU 2011-12 vs CU 2011-12).

[ripemupshocks]

I appreciate the intense game. Both mid majors took a big step forward if they keep winning. As for the Shox, remember that the whistle will be different in Valley play.

Ouch! Typical backhanded ChickenHawk compliment?

[shockerfan]

I appreciate the intense game. Both mid majors took a big step forward if they keep winning. As for the Shox, remember that the whistle will be different in Valley play.

Why? Not saying I don't agree to an extent regarding the difference in Valley play. But this was a Valley crew that worked the game. It's just going to depend on the game and the crew. Every team in the country has to deal with that and has to adjust. Just the way it is.

[shocka khan]

I'm reading some of these posts regarding VCU's defense and calling it 'gimmicky'. I remember how Paul Pressey and Tulsa did that to the shockers several years. It takes superior atheletes to run this defense.

So I wouldn't call it 'gimmicky',

I am just going to say we have at least as good atheletes and a coach who is as good at paying attention to details as theirs is.

[Dave Stalwart]

I think the rest of the upcoming season is going to continue to prove the worth of this win because VCU is going to be good.

[dregn]

Neither VCU's or WSU's defense is anything like the SIU of old. SIU played a physical grab and hold defense that forced the officials to either constantly blow their whistles or allow the game to be played more physical than the rules are supposed to allow. Both the teams last night play an in your face defense that causes teams to speed up their game and play outside of a comfort zone. When you finally have a chance to get a shot off you rush because all you can think about is that you'll be covered soon. It takes players who are willing to work that much harder to get in shape to play this style and be willing to play less time more intensely.