...and this goes beyond the particular game.
So yeah, we've all seen this movie before --- countless times it seems in HIS --- shoot 3 whole FTs for the game and never get in the bonus., all the while pretty much every dook defensive highlight was an uncalled foul. But again, we've all seen this movie before.
So... would we have won in an even moderately fairly-called game? Maybe... hell, even probably... but y'all, THAT'S NOT THE POINT. The point is that this is NOT a very good dook team --- it's one we SHOULD be able to beat, even in the customary 5-on-8 game.
Thus, the vexing question is why this UNC team is underachieving so badly? --- and let's be honest, that is indeed the case. I mean, Pitt shouldn't have been able to stay in the gym with us Wednesday, regardless of the zebras, and last night was yet another ugly perfomance.
Sure, we can each point to whatever player we're mad at, etc. but what I'm seeing is on a more aggregate level. Anyway... I've been watching recent games with a specific eye on scheme, team movement and chemistry, and phew... a lot of it is just hard to watch right now. The staff badly needs to SELF-SCOUT, and I'm really disappointed that apparently did NOT happen with a week off before Pitt, and certainly not since, and particularly because opponents have scouted us.
That said -- here is what I'm seeing ---- take it as you will:
First, enough with all the high ball-screens. It's ok once in a while, but if defenses aren't accepting a mismatch switch, then it's just a waste of time, and other than the occasional set play, we're too often getting late into the clock, and that's when things usually go south --- with guys off-ball too often STANDING AROUND.
Second (and this is a broken record) this team is at its best off Secondary Break action, which we did like twice Saturday. In general, anything that gets us into some sort of CONTINUITY action would be a welcome relief.
Third, and this brings us to the proverbial elephant in the room, we have a personnel/chemistry issue that has become glaring since Pete came back. I don't mean to bang on him in any way as a player or teammate (unlike with say, Dawson Garcia) but the result is pretty much the same --- he just doesn't fit. I've been describing our offense as "clunky" lately, and that's a bg reason.
Saturday I made a point of watching off-ball during the second half, especially once Puff finallly came in at the 4, and the contrast was striking. The team movement was miles better with Puff in that position, whereas, unless it's a set play, Pete often just looks lost.
Again, without it being anyone's "fault", sometimes a personnel / starting lineup tweak can work wonders on how the whole team functions. Cure-all? Likely not, but it could be a start. Under Roy, it literally saved us from the NIT a couple of times --- inserting Butter and then LMac into respective starting lineups --- and lemme tell ya, we're on the fast track to the NIT again as we speak, so...
Anyway, that's what I see. Maybe I'm wrong... but I don't think so. Again, take it as you will.
northcarolina.rivals.com
