Jan. 15, 2010
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Joe Fisher’s Mailbag Submit Your Question | View Archive Wondering about a player, a past game or another topic involving the Commodores? The Voice of the Commodores Joe Fisher will answer a variety of email questions from fans during the season on VUcommodores.com. |
Hello Joe, I watched the Florida game and wondered how the leading scorer (Jeff Taylor) had only one touch in the first five minutes of a big game. It’s been a theme this season in the 10 games that I’ve seen. Even the ESPN commentators were talking about it. What are your thoughts on this?
— John from Nashville, Tenn.
Jeffery does have a tendency to get his points quietly at times. You look at his final box and see he’s gone 5-for-5 or so from the field, added a few free throws and scored 15 or 16 points. Many times, he actually focuses heavily on defense, as he did in the second half at Alabama to slow down Mikhail Torrance. I was pleased in that game, though, to see Jeff become more assertive not only offensively, but even vocally with his teammates. He’s a terrific team player who has the potential to be one of the best to have worn the black and gold by the time he’s done.
Joe – I enjoy your daily updates on 104.5 as always. I had an old VU friend (38 years ago) visit on his way through town earlier this week. We ended up in the Gym a full hour before the MTSU tip-off, something I hadn’t done since smuggling oranges in before UT games in hopes of presenting them to Ray Mears. I noticed that the early shoot-around is a VU dunking contest = what a show!! Obviously, no one is allowed to get hands inside the rim during the 20-10 minute pre-game warm-up drills.
You are correct that no dunking is allowed in the warmups that begin 30 minutes prior to the game. Technically, no dunking is allowed while the officials are on the court for warmups. That can result in a technical foul to start the game. The organized warmups are very structured. The earlier warmup is much more casual and is usually just based on the mood of the players. Sometimes it’s a dunk contest, sometimes a lot of one on one competition, whatever the players are in the mood for at the time.
Joe, can you post a picture of Tim Thompson with hair?
— Fro Daddy from Franklin, Tenn.
I’ll work on that for the next mailbag.
Football is off the news radar. What is going on behind the scenes? Coaching shuffle? Plans for spring training to continue with the no-huddle offense? What is the plan to put more points on the board?
— Steve from St. Marys, Ga.
Right now, the push is the final couple of very busy recruiting weekends before signing day. This is a very important time to make sure you reaffirm verbal commitments you already have as well as nailing down the final remaining spots you have open. I know the coaches are also finishing up their evaluation of last season and will begin to form decisions on how to proceed with offensive and defensive plans. After that’s done, work will begin on preparing the spring practice schedule and content. There really is no offseason for college sports anymore.
John Jenkins… Why does he not get more attempts? If I had a kid that was that hot, he would be shooting the ball and having plays set up for him?
— Dave from Nashville, Tenn.
One reason John doesn’t get a huge amount of shot attempts is that teams have learned about him and are focused on trying to keep him from touching the ball. I’ve been impressed that John as a freshman is savvy enough not to force up bad shots, but also knows the coaches want him to take the shot whenever he gets a good look. Believe me, they run plays to get the ball in John’s hands all the time. The luxury is the team has shown it can score the ball in multiple ways.
Joe, I am a big fan of the morning updates on 104.5. I listened daily when I lived in Nashville, and I am pleased that they are offered as podcasts now that I live in New England. I am curious about how you prep for the daily update, whether it is highly scripted or mostly spontaneous, and have there been any humorous instances when it has gone horribly awry?
— from White River Junction, Vt.
Thanks for listening from the Northeast! I try to get up early, scan various news sources and make sure I’m up on the most pertinent topics for the day. Occasionally we will break stories involving our teams. It is not scripted at all, and I think the spontaneous nature of the segment is what helps make it appealing. Believe me, I never know for sure what’s coming! My wife, Diana, has started listening in the morning even if I’m not to let me know if a particular topic is being discussed, whether it is Vanderbilt related or not.
I don’t think anything has gone horribly bad. I do remember one morning when I was doing the segment from home and my two Jack Russell Terriers, Comet and Ace, decided to go on a barking binge. Kind of hard to calm down two feisty guys like that easily, so there was quite an interruption to the broadcast.
Joe, I’ve seen my share of post players at Vandy and I can’t help but compare Festus Ezeli and Will Perdue at this point in Ezeli’s career. Perdue’s career after his sophomore year was nothing to write home about but his career took off during his junior year and the rest is history. Festus seems to have a tremendous upside despite only having played five years of organized ball. I believe once he realizes his full potential and he matures on the court at the rate he’s maturing, he will enjoy the same success that Will did. I pay attention to a big mans “footwork” and how he moves around the basket. Festus seems to be a little further along than Will was at this point. What do you think?
— Randy from Nashville, Tenn.
Randy, I’ve made a bit of a similar comparison between Festus and Will in one regard. I remember when for Will the “light went on” as it is said, when he realized if he got close to the basket he needed to dunk the ball. The “Perdunk” was born, and Will was almost unstoppable. Festus has become much more aggressive offensively in the same way. The great thing for Fes and for Vanderbilt is that he’s still got a huge amount of potential that will continue to develop as he learns and grows in the game. Remember, in the grand scheme of things, Festus hasn’t played organized basketball for more than a handful of years.
Joe, will there be artificial turf installed in Vanderbilt Stadium again? Thanks and Go Dores!
— Brandon from Carthage, Tenn.
Brandon, the topic of turf in the stadium has been discussed off and on in recent years. But, as of now, there are no plans to put artificial turf in the stadium.