I was really hoping our Iron Men would get a break compared with last year. But has that happened?

Bottom line seems to be that while D'Marco and Puff have seen their minutes increase - which is great - none of our returning starters seem to have benefited (yet).

Obviously there are variables that mere averages can't show. Like the 4 OT game. Or Amando's 1 minute game. But in general, our Iron Men are still being asked to be Iron Men.

...and well, ya don't see that every day.

I mean, when's the last time you saw two ACC teams go 0-fer-a-half from 3?... or combine for a whoppin' total of 12 Assists for a game? #ugh

- Reality is we won this one in two areas, and one was at the line. We shot 39 FTs, but make no mistake, we EARNED every blessed one of them --- hell, Mando alone coulda easily gone to the line 5 or 6 more times just from the missed hacks --- and we pretty much NEEDED our scorching 90+ FT pct on an otherwise miserable offensive night.

- On that note, for the second straight game we just seemed clunky on offense, especially in the first half. I blame a lot of that on a dearth of transition. I was really puzzled at our lack of dedication to pushing the rock --- only 17 pts in transition --- especially with us cleaning the defensive glass. We spent way too much of the game playing at State's preferred tempo. And for the umpteenth time, when we don't run, welp, we get clunky on offense.

- Fortunately, the other thing that came thru for us was defense. State's perimeter guys are a tough cover, but we did so mostly very well in the second half. For the game we held Smith and Joiner to a combined 11/33 and 1/10 from 3. Their fat-boy Big didn't do anything til Mando picked up a couple of phantoms, and even after that, we thankfully figured out it wasn't worth it to double him, as they weren't gonna beat us with him backing in for late shot-clock 2s.

- Speaking of D, this was easily RJ's best defensive game here --- really worked his tail off and avoided most of his old footwork glitches, and Leaky forced his guy into several awkward forces. And despite Dunn having an uncharacteristically miserable go at shooting today, he really locked in on defense, especially after Leaky got ejected.

- As for Leaky, I dare say that if there hadn't been an injury on that play, they would not have called a Flagrant 2 --- but anyway, I hope the kid is ok.

- Obvious congrats to Mando on those two UNC milestones, and he continues to be a warrior no matter what they throw at him --- another monster game at 23 and 18, while tubby only got 4 boards for the game. Pete helped out with 8 boards as well. And Caleb, well, no matter what has transpired previously, when we need somebody for a big take, he's up for the challenge.

- Finally (and I'll talk more about this later) we've GOT to find a way to make things mesh better offensively with Pete back in the lineup (Hint: It starts with the transition scheme).

Anyway, always good to put State in their place --- and actually see US make a desperation shot-clock heave for once --- but we damn well need to shoot better Tuesday up there vs a much-improving Cuse team!...

Contest #2






Contest #1

Yes Davis and Love must hit some shots from downtown in the Carrier Dome to open it up for Bacot down low but Nance and Washington will be the key to victory because the biggest hole in the Syracuse defense is just inside the free throw line and they have both proven that they can hit the 10 foot jumper in the paint. I especially like Washington there because of his soft stroke.

If Puff Johnson is able to go he might also be a good choice there but right now my money is on Nance and Washington to do some serious damage from inside the lane.

NC State coach Kevin Keatts said he finally had a chance to go back and rewatch the play Saturday where Terquavion Smith got hurt:
"I don't think Leaky did anything intentional to hurt him at all." Says he thought it was "a good basketball play." Injury came more from the fall.
👏

Ryan Switzer, who announced his retirement from the NFL last summer, has been named the WR coach at Tulsa.

Login to view embedded media
Login to view embedded media

Fland had an outstanding game against Christ the King last night. Overall stats were 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assist. Believe he hit 4 three pointers in the game, and the rest were drives to the basket, and free throws.
Things that stood out about his game.
(1) Great handles, would be a nice mix between point guard and shooting guard.
(2) Good rebounder for a guard
(3) Nice form on his three point shots
(4) Able to attach the basket with floater, or layups
(5) Good FT shooter - 82 %, mad 7 of 9 free throws in the game.
When Stepinac was on the ropes with the game in the balance the last minute, he refuse to let his team lose. Timely rebound, and excellent free throw shooting.
Fland has an admiration for Carolina, pretty sure Hubert has expressed his desire to have two point guards on the floor at once, similar to Roy. Not sure how this will play out, since he will probably not make a decision until his senior year. But with recruiting lots of things can happen.

Posted Jan 23, 2023
The NCAA will ask a federal appeals court next month to block a lawsuit that seeks to have athletes treated as employees who are paid for their time, the latest high-profile challenge to amateurism in college sports. The Division I athletes and former athletes who filed the suit are seeking hourly wages similar to those earned in work-study programs. (Associated Press)

Posted Jan 23, 2023
The NCAA will ask a federal appeals court next month to block a lawsuit that seeks to have athletes treated as employees who are paid for their time, the latest high-profile challenge to amateurism in college sports. The Division I athletes and former athletes who filed the suit are seeking hourly wages similar to those earned in work-study programs. (Associated Press)

We will post all transfer portal news here.

Appears to be Warren connection.

When we get to this point in the season every game is crucial, but as this team starts to get healthy I believe he next 10 games will give some insight as to how they'll perform come March. Consistency is going to be key for this squad and not the jekyll and hyde performance that rears it's head, as it did against BC. If this is a championship caliber team, I feel they should go 8-2/9-1 at worst during this stretch. I'm predicating that on the main pieces being healthy and on the court.

"First of all, I just want to talk about Terquavion. He's just an unbelievable kid and unbelievable player and you never want to see anybody get hurt or injured, and my hope and my prayers that he's not hurt and injured. He's a fantastic player and just wanted to just talk about him. And just let you know that I just didn't like seeing that."

I have 2 hypothesis for Caleb Love's shooting slump:
- He is thinking too much. Perfect form...impress the league...hey let me show my range.
- His legs are shot from so many minutes. There is nothing like in-game conditioning. We started off the season in iron-man mode. I firmly believe that our starters would be healthier and more consistent in the 25-30+ min range. The bench will determine how far we go this year...