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Joined: 06/11/2002
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Appreciate the compliment but it just comes with experience

I have, and I think it comes in being more aggressive. Early on he was content taking the dump down or making the extra pass...not just when that was what the action required, but also when he had a clear advantage if he were just a tiny bit more selfish. You could see it was a priority early in the game against Stanford that when he gets around the rim he shouldn't be looking to pass, he should put the ball up on the rim and its either a make or he has 3 monsters in Hansberry, Gurdak and Lawal rebounding after he drives. I think he is looking for professional calls from referees that arent really a part of the college game. So he will do things like put the ball out with both hands when a defender reaches in to draw a foul which is an emphasis professionally...but he doesnt get the call and then puts himself in a bad position without full control of what he can do with the ball. He needs to drive smaller defenders. He needs to have efficient footwork against bigger players so he can have a solid base when he shoots. He needs to drive directly at secondary defenders to force them into decisions and be prepared to capitalize on whatever that decision may be. He has to think, the entire game. He cant take plays off if he wants to be his best self. And he cant take plays off if VT wants to be their best self. He could do so on his professional team because he wasnt drawing the best defender and no one was game planning for him. Its a whole new world and he needs to learn
Posted: 01/09/2026 at 08:30 PM ET
(In response to this post by VermontDDS)

Thread Replies (29)

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Neo as point is like 2 completely different players
1980VT 01/09/26 02:40 PM ET
We don't have good spacing. The screens and hand-offs make it hard
VAHokie89 01/10/26 04:26 PM ET
He is learning. PG for one and being "the Man" for another
Nelsonia Hokie 01/10/26 11:47 AM ET
If Neo were a polished PG he'd already have been drafted last year...
GCHokie34 01/09/26 05:11 PM ET
have you noticed growth since Nov at point?
VermontDDS 01/09/26 08:21 PM ET
Appreciate the compliment but it just comes with experience
GCHokie34 01/09/26 08:30 PM ET
Coach Boeheim sure thought he had good skills- made several comments
tallahasseehokie 01/10/26 03:50 PM ET
That is really interesting. He does seem to play to get fouled rather than
RhinoVT 01/10/26 08:59 AM ET
Yep he’s the focal point of opponents’ game plans and the “growth” you are
hokiepro 01/10/26 08:10 AM ET
in the stanford game he drove on smaller defenders and shot over them
VermontDDS 01/09/26 11:48 PM ET
I think youre spot on with your assessment of him seeking the "moment"
GCHokie34 01/10/26 12:00 AM ET
I think people understand that. What they have a hard time with
Femoyer Hokie 01/09/26 05:24 PM ET
There's not a world where this basketball team is better off without him**
GCHokie34 01/09/26 07:25 PM ET
Hopefully no one said that, but Hammond is your PG not Neo. Mike made a
VTMONEY94 01/09/26 07:37 PM ET
There's not a shadow of doubt Hammond is a better PG on 1/9/26
GCHokie34 01/09/26 07:48 PM ET
Bingo!**
TomTurkey 01/09/26 07:56 PM ET
I get that GC but some players are just better “college” players and
VTMONEY94 01/09/26 07:54 PM ET
Im sure he did...
GCHokie34 01/09/26 08:14 PM ET
Is this the first time that he's the best player on his team?
Hoke 01/10/26 11:41 AM ET
Im sure its the first time in a while
GCHokie34 01/10/26 11:46 AM ET
Great analysis GC Hokie. Biggest growth area also for Neo
DCL 01/10/26 08:56 AM ET
Thanks for the follow up and it makes sense. Just want the team to be the
VTMONEY94 01/09/26 10:52 PM ET
TJ is such a glue guy. we sorely miss him.**
Glen Allen Hokie 01/10/26 03:16 PM ET
Because he wouldn’t be here otherwise. He’s still a net positive **
Lancelot Link 01/09/26 07:16 PM ET
Exactly. Totally fine for him to work on that while at VT...
Gobbler Guru 01/09/26 05:29 PM ET
I mean...they did that
GCHokie34 01/09/26 07:48 PM ET
Part of that is because of how teams play him vs. others.
David CunninghamAdmin 01/09/26 04:59 PM ET
Of course.
Vippie1 01/09/26 06:59 PM ET
VT made Stanford pay for 38 minutes...**
GCHokie34 01/09/26 07:25 PM ET
If Neo would square up, defense would have to back up a step
1980VT 01/09/26 06:08 PM ET