An "oh BTW" stat...

[gary-7]

In the 2 games since Marcus returned we are averaging 93.5 PPG (against an excellent team and a pretty darned good team).
Me likey .
That's called "our game", and we need to go into Austin and play "our game" Saturday no matter how much Shaka and Texas try to muck that up. Anytime this team plays "our game", well, let's just say I like our chances.

 

[Archer2]

As do I Gary. It's been hard to wait almost a whole week to see us play again. We owe the 'Horns a whoopin'.

 

[acarter0277]

I think we will be GREAT Saturday. We want to play fast, and teams that press are trying to make you play fast. I think Texas plays right into our hand. We may hit BISCUITS!!!

 

[gary-7]

I think we will be GREAT Saturday. We want to play fast, and teams that press are trying to make you play fast. I think Texas plays right into our hand. We may hit BISCUITS!!!

Yeah, they have been pretty erratic thus far but we still need to treat their perimeter players like they're Melo Trimble. This will be a legit road test and we can't take them lightly. They will be jacked.
If Shaka is bold (or crazy) enough to try to run with us we just need to make sure they're not getting anything uncontested. If we do that and get a fair shake from the home zebras I like our chances.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Shaka likes to play in your face physical D. If we are strong with the ball they will get in foul trouble. If we continue to play the perimeter D we have been and stay efficient on O, I believe we win this one. I am honestly shocked by the difference MP's presence had made on every aspect of our Heels! Ridley is a beast, but I think we have the beef to contend with him and we can tire him out on the defensive end. Hopefully, our bigs will be in attack mode this game!

 

[gary-7]

Shaka likes to play in your face physical D. If we are strong with the ball they will get in foul trouble. If we continue to play the perimeter D we have been and stay efficient on O, I believe we win this one. I am honestly shocked by the difference MP's presence had made on every aspect of our Heels! Ridley is a beast, but I think we have the beef to contend with him and we can tire him out on the defensive end. Hopefully, our bigs will be in attack mode this game!

Agree with the rest, but I am not the least bit shocked by MP's impact. And remember it's not just his skills that help, it's his presence, and having two legit guards playing together. Before Marcus came back JB was in a similar situation that MP was in last season, i.e., running a team as the only true guard on the floor. Granted Theo is better as a 2 than Tokoto was, but still it is not yet natural for him.
The subtle backcourt interactions on both ends are not to be underestimated... and it sure doesn't hurt having two alpha-PGs playing together, who can both create plays, fill it up from deep and defend tenaciously despite their size deficits.
I'm gonna be blunt here: Those who were saying Berry should go to the bench on Paige's return were light years off base. The team would have performed pretty much just as it had before his return. The huge improvement is a function of having our best backcourt on the floor, and our All-American in his best position (the 2) for this team.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Yup.It has been clear all along what our best team was. I also question those who want to put Meeks on the bench for Hicks. I love me some Theo and Hicks, but they serve themselves and the team by bringing it from the bench and flat wearing peeps out!

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

Gary-7..'Theo is better at the 2 than JP'..couldn't agree more-attitude and team first all the way--this will be a battle tomorrow but I hope we pull away late--Go Heels!

 

[Archer2]

I hope they do press us, we'll run it down their throats. Joel and Marcus are too good with the ball. It is suicidal to press us this year.

 

[DSouthr]

Agree with the rest, but I am not the least bit shocked by MP's impact. And remember it's not just his skills that help, it's his presence, and having two legit guards playing together. Before Marcus came back JB was in a similar situation that MP was in last season, i.e., running a team as the only true guard on the floor. Granted Theo is better as a 2 than Tokoto was, but still it is not yet natural for him.
The subtle backcourt interactions on both ends are not to be underestimated... and it sure doesn't hurt having two alpha-PGs playing together, who can both create plays, fill it up from deep and defend tenaciously despite their size deficits.
I'm gonna be blunt here: Those who were saying Berry should go to the bench on Paige's return were light years off base. The team would have performed pretty much just as it had before his return. The huge improvement is a function of having our best backcourt on the floor, and our All-American in his best position (the 2) for this team.

Definitely on the same sheet of music gary, I agree totally! Folks tend to exclusively look at points scored as the measure and as important as putting points up is I strongly believe our improved play is a function of our defense stepping up and specifically our peremeter defense. When you see UNC get in to our running game understand that more times than not it is because of work done on the defensive end that ignites our breaks and the duo of Marcus & Joel in our back court electrifies us. WE are getting good numbers of steals, we are forcing bad shots from the opponents late in shot clocks, and we are not in scramble nearly as much because we are sticking tighter to our primary assignments.

On the offensive end the thing I see and have noticed in all our games so far this season, not just since Marcus has come back, we are taking good shots. Even when Marcus was out Joel & britt showed they could hit the open looks, forced opponents to respect their shooting and that freed up so much more of our attack, even Theo showed he could hit some and of course Jackson had to be defended. But with Marcus it is a brand new level, he demands defensive attention and at times that means Joel & nate get wide open clean looks that you just cannot give D-1 guards.

Theo vs JP, IMO not even close, Theo is so much better at the 2 guard role and I am not a huge fan of Theo at the 2 but he can handle it much better than JP did, especially passing the ball. he just has a much better feel for his passes, JP just didn't have that feel for the pass or the spot the guy he was passing it to needed it in order to finish. JP would force a pass and hope it could complete, Theo understands his team mates individual unique preferences for the pass and feeds it to where their strengths are for the finish. Meaning the way you pass it to Meeks can be off and Meeks still make it work but you have to be more precise when you pass it to Joel James as an example and Theo gets that where JP really struggled with it.

I to felt it was a no brainer, Joel berry had to start beside Marcus, it was just the right fit and the guys compliment each others game rather than taxing it. I love watching Theo play but Joel was the right fit to start the games, I felt that last season as well. marcus to me is one of the best PGs in the country but IMO he is easy one of the best 1 or 2 off guards in the country and when you are one of the 2 best at your position in the country I feel like you should play that position.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

i agree that MP is one of the best 2-guards in the country, but what do you do if you are one of the best PGs in the country as well AND that is your only chance to play in the pros? I love that it doesn't even appear that he cares about this issue. MP is a great bball player and, incredibly, an even better teammate!

 

[Tom79]

We are scoring every 14 seconds...34th in offense and Texas is 263...and one of their guards shoots 18% from 3 pt line...rebound well and run at every instance and otherwise control the ball, limit TO's and we should win by 13...

 

[gary-7]

i agree that MP is one of the best 2-guards in the country, but what do you do if you are one of the best PGs in the country as well AND that is your only chance to play in the pros? I love that it doesn't even appear that he cares about this issue. MP is a great bball player and, incredibly, an even better teammate!

Marcus long ago showed the pro scouts he can play point. This season is gravy to show his scoring chops and defending bigger players. Win-win.
For us it means we have the best guys in each position and our best energy guys coming off the bench. Again, win-win.