'19 MD SF - Mekhi Long (URI --> Old Dominion)

[rhodyblue12]

He played 13.3 minutes a game. 14.8 in the A-10. I think that’s pretty good for a freshman.

Agreed - especially a freshman without a ton of offensive skills. Over time, that part of his game would have improved.
However, last year, teams just backed off him and dared him to shoot. He was exposed and had to have noticed.
He had a couple of good games, but was, at best, inconsistent on offense last year.
Given that, how much can you expect to play? I just don't get it.

Work hard on your shot this summer and minutes would have increased. It isn't rocket science, just work.

[CHICO 78]

However, last year, teams just backed off him and dared him to shoot. He was exposed and had to have noticed.
He had a couple of good games, but was, at best, inconsistent on offense last year.
Given that, how much can you expect to play? I just don't get it.

Why is this a surprise? Gen Z kids have been raised for instant gratification and that everyone gets a trophy
just for showing up! An unrealistic sense of self worth. Combine that with the AAU culture and you have
a perfect storm of unrealistic expectations. It doesn't surprise me at all that there is probably going to
be 700 transfers in Div. 1 this year and its probably only going to get worse if and when the one time, no
penalty transfer rule kicks in. But it sure makes it hard to be a fan of any of these kids!

[KevanBoyles]

ODU is a good program and close to home. It should work out for him. I think he will be a good player. Sorry to see him go.

[RF1]

I would suggest he use some of his next year off to practice free throw shooting.

[Rhody83]

ODU is a good program and close to home. It should work out for him. I think he will be a good player. Sorry to see him go.

I heard last week that he transferred to be closer to home and not over playing time. ODU is a 3 hour drive (180 miles) from his home town. It doesn’t seem very close but obviously a lot closer than RI.

[Dino611]

ODU is a good program and close to home. It should work out for him. I think he will be a good player. Sorry to see him go.

I heard last week that he transferred to be closer to home and not over playing time. ODU is a 3 hour drive (180 miles) from his home town. It doesn’t seem very close but obviously a lot closer than RI.

This does have truth because I know that his mother drove up from Maryland for home games

[LoveThoseRams]

ODU is a good program and close to home. It should work out for him. I think he will be a good player. Sorry to see him go.

I heard last week that he transferred to be closer to home and not over playing time. ODU is a 3 hour drive (180 miles) from his home town. It doesn’t seem very close but obviously a lot closer than RI.

This does have truth because I know that his mother drove up from Maryland for home games

Sorry, I'm not buying this as a reason. They didn't know the distance from Maryland to RI before he committed? More to the story.

[RamStock]

Wish Long good luck and let’s move on. It seems like a good fit for him and his family and also the type of play Old Dominion is accustomed to with hard nosed defense. He has potential to be a very solid player at this level.

[steviep123]

I heard last week that he transferred to be closer to home and not over playing time. ODU is a 3 hour drive (180 miles) from his home town. It doesn’t seem very close but obviously a lot closer than RI.

This does have truth because I know that his mother drove up from Maryland for home games

Sorry, I'm not buying this as a reason. They didn't know the distance from Maryland to RI before he committed? More to the story.

Yes and no. A 17 year old can think, "no big deal" until it's routine and then it hits home. You don't realize how home sick you can be until you're away for some time, so it's certainly a possibility.