ODU must reclaim ‘stopper’ throne
Since C-USA play began, Monarchs all too permeable
NORFOLK — Known from El Paso to Miami for stifling defense, Old Dominion allowed its first four Conference USA opponents to make shots at alarming rates.
Marshall shot 54 percent, Western Kentucky 44, Florida Atlantic 51 and Florida International 45. Through four games, the Monarchs, who were second in the nation in field-goal-percentage defense earlier in the season, ranked last in C-USA in conference games.
Coach Jeff Jones had maintained his composure about it until Thursday night. Louisiana Tech shot just 35 percent in the first half of ODU’s 64-63 win, but hit 13 of 16 free throws.
“That was maybe the first time at half in conference play that I’ve really raised my voice,” he said.
The Monarchs were trying to do too much defensively, including challenging shifty point guard DaQuan Bracey 30 feet from the basket, Jones said. Those poor decisions and ODU’s tendency to reach landed the Monarchs in early foul trouble.
ODU (13-5, 3-2 C-USA) fouled less often in the second half. The Bulldogs shot 38.5 percent for the game, closer to the Monarchs’ stellar non-conference average of 35.2. Jones said ODU played just as aggressively but in less court space.
“I said, let’s back it up, let’s try to keep it in front of us,” he said. “I thought we did a little better job in the second half.”
ODU has been known for “building a wall” that cuts off penetration to the basket. The Monarchs have also traditionally done a good job of getting back in transition defense. But a couple of times, ODU’s big men did not get back Thursday, putting pressure on guards to cut off drivers who had a head of steam. It’s a particular problem against faster guards like Bracey, and Brian Beard of FIU, Jones said.
“Nobody’s going to stay in front of them one-on-one, especially with the way officials call it now in college basketball,” Jones said. “You’ve got to be able to have help and you’ve got to help the helper. It comes down to team defense.”
Saturday’s opponent, Southern Miss, is another guard-oriented bunch, with four players 6-foot-4 or shorter in the starting lineup, led by crafty seniors Tyree Griffin and Cortez Edwards.
The Golden Eagles (11-7, 3-3) have won three straight in a league that is shaping up as wide-open and utterly unpredictable. Preseason favorite Western Kentucky is 1-3. Middle Tennessee State, the dominant program in recent years, is 1-4 but just defeated previously unbeaten Texas-San Antonio.
One constant through the years has been ODU’s defense.
“We need to get back to that,” Jones said.
ODU has mixed in zone with its traditional man-to-man on occasion. The Monarchs did just enough Thursday and felt fortunate to escape, but know they must play better defensively.
“We definitely could have put that game away,” point guard Ahmad Caver said. “Fouls didn’t go our way, and we didn’t guard as good as we should.”