Inconsistent VMI brings high-scoring show to ODU

The VMI Keydets average 88.7 points, with gusts into triple digits. They launch 30 3-pointers per game and apply more pressure than a telemarketer at dinner time.

It is a style of play all their own, and it has produced teams that have led the nation in scoring five straight years, an NCAA Division I record. VMI won 24 games three years ago, 18 last year and was expected to be heard from in the Big South Conference race this season.

Instead, "We've just been real inconsistent, that's the best way to sum it up," coach Duggar Baucom said Wednesday as VMI prepared for its first visit to Old Dominion in eight seasons, tonight at the Constant Center.

The Keydets bring a 5-6 record to town, same as the Monarchs. VMI hasn't played in 10 days after completing some of the latest final exams on any academic calendar.

"Any later, Santa Claus would be taking them," Baucom said.

Now in his seventh season in Lexington, Baucom's learned to take the challenges that come with coaching at VMI in stride. His frenetic system has gained his program some national attention over the years and made the Keydets an occasionally dangerous opponent for bigger schools. Four years ago, VMI stunned Kentucky. Last season, the Keydets pushed Final Four team VCU.

"They're out of the norm," ODU coach Blaine Taylor said. "And they try to use out of the norm as their advantage."

VMI is streaky by nature. When shooting well, the Keydets are a handful, capable, if not of stopping teams, of outscoring them.

"When we don't shoot it, we're pretty average," Baucom said.

VMI's been merely average this season, making 30 percent of its 3-point attempts, compared with 36 percent a year ago. The Keydets' biggest problem, though, has been adjusting to life without the inside presence of D.J. Covington, a sophomore from Norfolk Academy.

The 6-foot-9 Covington was the Big South Freshman of the Year last season and led the conference with 2.3 blocks per game. A pair of herniated disks in his back have left him a shadow of his 2010-11 self, though, and forced 6-foot-5 Stan Okoye and 6-6 Nick Gore to play out of position and guard taller players.

With Covington no longer anchoring the back line of VMI's press, opponents are shooting 51 percent this year, up from 46 percent last season. Though his condition is improving, it has been a slow process, Baucom said. He's yet to play more than 10 minutes in a game this year.

One bright spot has been the play of another local, freshman Quinton Upshur, a Booker T. Washington graduate. The 6-foot-5 Upshur has been disruptive defensively, active on the glass and is shooting 50 percent from the field.

He and Covington will get a chance to play in front of friends and family tonight, which is one reason for scheduling the game. The other is to pay some athletic department bills. The school will receive a guarantee from Old Dominion.

Notes: ODU has not played at home since Nov. 29. Taylor said forward Nick Wright, who left Tuesday's game against Richmond, did not suffer a concussion as feared. Wright worked out apart from the team Wednesday and his availability tonight will be determined before the game.

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com