Late stuff (dook game 2)...

[gary-7]

...and dammit.

I'll keep this short:

- Despite the naysaying here and elsewhere, and despite ESPN's relentless keep-UNC-out-of-the-NCAAT drum-beating, I knew damn well we could beat these guys. The senior-night energy for RJ and Withers should've been a factor, and it was, and Eliot jacked the crowd with that chase-down block on Proctor. But then dook starts off with Knipple stumbling (thru an uncalled travel) to make a heave, followed by rim-clanging 3s somehow bouncing in like they were in friggin HIS.

- But here's what was really missing for the first 14 minutes: Yeah, we were playing tight defense on-ball, but just like up at VaTech, we were nonethelss lacking OFF-BALL. FACT is (contrary to some inaccurate narratives), what got us cranked up Tuesday was finally getting active and aggressive in HELP D, and that's exactly what happened here. In Blacksburg it started at the 1st half under-8, this time is started at 6:02 when we FINALLY ran 44, and once again that got the defensive aggression fired up for ALL 5 GUYS, and a run thus ensued that got us right back into this thing.

- 2nd half, and here AGAIN, it was aggressive all-5-guys defense that got us going. Lubin and EC with back-to-back steals got us in transition and RJ kept smoking and we forced yet another timeout. And despite Groover and Co.'s best efforts, we stretched the lead to 6.

- Folks, here's where things went south --- when we couldn't get into transition, we started STANDING AROUND on offense. That can be one of the hazards of a hot guy hitting shots, and our off-ball motion just ground to a halt. Also frustrating to me was not posting hard on the mismatches we were eliciting in the paint, or missing cutters from the wing when we did move. We've been gradually doing better at getting inside-out recently, but that disappeared over a key stretch. Coming out of the under-12, everything we were doing well came unglued. When our offense stagnated, we also got back on our heels on the other end. I would've loved to have seen us scramble more, but granted, it's harder to press when you're not making shots.

- Jeez, how many of our shots, that have been going in, now came off the rim?... and not finishing inside on potential dimes? Yeah, there were some forces, but as I mentioned last time out, our good shooting has carried a lot of our recent success, and when it disappears --- 33% (26% 3s) --- it just killed our chances in the 2nd half. And meanwhile the damn dookies get a non-shooting Big heaving in rainbows. Sheesh.

- Finally, look --- dook is beatable, and beatable by us. Yes, they're physically huge and have a lot of weapons, but they DON'T have a PG, and when we can apply 5-man defensive pressure and stress them at the top, it shows --- dook had 14 TOs (and EC forced 4 of those) --- and again, we could've used more scrambles to keep the energy up.

Anyway, it's pretty damn clear --- the guys need to bow up and decide to get after it in Charlotte. Backs against the wall, (pick your cliche), etc, etc... but this team is capable of doing that and I hope like hell they do, because if we can make the Dance, there's nobody we can't beat if things are clicking...

 

[gunslingerdick]

It went south in a 2 minute stretch when Hubert put in a ridiculous line up (including Washington) at about the 12 minute mark. We lost the lead, the momentum and never could recover.

I appreciate the breakdowns. But sometimes it's as simple as "our coach continues to fail us".

 

[WoadBlue]

It went south in a 2 minute stretch when Hubert put in a ridiculous line up (including Washington) at about the 12 minute mark. We lost the lead, the momentum and never could recover.

I appreciate the breakdowns. But sometimes it's as simple as "our coach continues to fail us".

Davis cannot discern and then make right moves in this key situations. That plus his continued failures to understand what he need to recruit ad up to meaning he aint got it but to mid level in an ACC worth watching at all.

You think he looks bad now? Just imagine him going agent that array of SEC coaches or the Big 12 coaches. .

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

As always, an accurate summary of strengths and weaknesses, Gary. Thanks for your efforts; lots of peeps enjoy
how your observations shed light on our team’s play each game.
Nothing left to do but prepare for ND/Pitt victor and beat them on Wednesday. Go Heels!

 

[DSouthr]

The difference between this game and the first tie we played duke this season is in this one we competed. Yeah, they beat us by what, 13? In the event you didn't get the memo, this duke team is really loaded. We were badly out boarded and their guards just eat us up.

I notice a lot of comments about Hubert pulling RJ after we took that 5pt or so lead in the second half, the common theme is Hubert made a bone headed call? I guess no one noticed when RJ sat down the trainer went to him and worked on him for cramps. But I guess some seem to think having just some cramps is not reason for your coach to take out out? All the sudden we started taking bad shots, especially from JWit and Jack, guys that just take to many bad shots. Our player movement stopped and the momentum was gone and we just didn't have the steam to mount another come back like we did in that first half.

For the game we took to many bad shots, bad decision shots and when we did get good looks we just didn't drop them, like we needed to and like we have over the 6 prior games. Their 2 scoring runs beat our 1 scoring run, goes like that some times.

On to the ACCT, let's see how that goes.

 

[gary-7]

As always, an accurate summary of strengths and weaknesses, Gary. Thanks for your efforts; lots of peeps enjoy
how your observations shed light on our team’s play each game.
Nothing left to do but prepare for ND/Pitt victor and beat them on Wednesday. Go Heels!

Thanks, and yeah, now it's up to the guys to show how much they want it.

 

[dtodd4475]

It was a gallant effort, we had tough looks throughout and hit our fair share, RJ was a DAWG. Him cramping and missing even the few minutes he did hurt big time. He kept us in it.

Their size and confidence to defend across the board allowed them to not face guard RJ, and basically say whatever the matchup try to get a good look. RJ and Ian only really capable to do so. I thought Drake played a very sound all around game as well.

This may upset some, but Elliot was not good. Could not create, and they love seeing him try to score. Giving so little on offense the minutes he gave weakened our dee with the tiny backcourt as well. His 20 minutes were a big minus.

Got killed on the glass, but at least we only had 6 turnovers, Flagg in foul trouble, dook got better quality looks throughout, still gave it a legit run and were competitive even with the ultimate double digit defeat.

Beat the ND/PITT winner, then Wake and with the matchups of some of the other bubble teams in their conference tournaments I think we get in. As long as we don't get our doors blown off and play similarly competitive against dook in the Semi's.

 

[gary-7]

The difference between this game and the first tie we played duke this season is in this one we competed. Yeah, they beat us by what, 13? In the event you didn't get the memo, this duke team is really loaded. We were badly out boarded and their guards just eat us up.

I notice a lot of comments about Hubert pulling RJ after we took that 5pt or so lead in the second half, the common theme is Hubert made a bone headed call? I guess no one noticed when RJ sat down the trainer went to him and worked on him for cramps. But I guess some seem to think having just some cramps is not reason for your coach to take out out?

Yep. RJ left his heart and body on that floor.

 

[alabamaheel]

It was a gallant effort, we had tough looks throughout and hit our fair share, RJ was a DAWG. Him cramping and missing even the few minutes he did hurt big time. He kept us in it.

Their size and confidence to defend across the board allowed them to not face guard RJ, and basically say whatever the matchup try to get a good look. RJ and Ian only really capable to do so. I thought Drake played a very sound all around game as well.

This may upset some, but Elliot was not good. Could not create, and they love seeing him try to score. Giving so little on offense the minutes he gave weakened our dee with the tiny backcourt as well. His 20 minutes were a big minus.

Got killed on the glass, but at least we only had 6 turnovers, Flagg in foul trouble, dook got better quality looks throughout, still gave it a legit run and were competitive even with the ultimate double digit defeat.

Beat the ND/PITT winner, then Wake and with the matchups of some of the other bubble teams in their conference tournaments I think we get in. As long as we don't get our doors blown off and play similarly competitive against dook in the Semi's.

I don’t remember how long it was but I do remember seeing both RJ and Drake out. Shouldn’t have happened last night. Drake played very well on both ends for the most part. Hd has searched for a few lineups to gel throughout the end of the season. Just just a few of them to step up when it matters and when they aren’t playing bottom dwellers. People are quick to point out coaching and player deficiencies but sometimes it’s just the quality of your opponent, and how they adjust and play.

 

[NorCalTarheel]

Well, the sun did rise this morning so last night clearly was not the end of the world. 😆

I had very little expectation going into this one that we could beat dook (they are just really good and really tall).

Although only a four-point difference between the two losses, (lost by 17 in Hansbrough indoor stadium and only 13 last night), there was a world of difference in our performance. Our guys fought like hell last night.

I don't mind the high screen and roll to start our action but we have to HAVE something else when that doesn't work (or when we don't have a player in the game like RJ to use it properly).

We cannot just pound the ball into the floor while they go on a 12-nothing run. Those three possessions changed the momentum and the outcome of the game IMO.

Not surprisingly, dook owned the boards. We were out rebounded by 13. Pair that with Seth's one for nine shooting, Whither's one for five from three, and EC's one-to-one turnover to assist ratio, and I think that spelled defeat no matter who we are playing. Malik Brown making as many 3's last night as he had all season was the cherry on top 🙄.

Not much left to do now but to continue to fight until the bitter end and hope for some help from other conferences and bubble teams.

Today is still, as always, a GDTBATH!!!

 

[Geth]

there's nobody we can't beat if things are clicking...

No offense but there are very strong and effective medications for delusionality.

 

[Lewis&Miller]

One can get in a lengthy discussion about all the shortcomings in regards to Hubert Davis and his version of Carolina basketball. There are 10s of different aspects to analyze but in the end, the season, the career, is defined by your record. Huberts career thus far is basically a rollercoaster. Just as many lows as highs. That should not work at UNC. It appears that Hubert will return as coach next year but i would vote to start anew with a new coach and new gm. Hubert has experienced, veteran players. The execution should be like clockwork, easily identified, and quickly rightened. It is not. The picture last nite of a young, first year ladened dook team showing a veteran, experienced Carolina group how offense is executed in crunch time is the snapshot that cannot be accepted. Huberts veteran teams must win the execution battle and the fact that his team looked so inept offensively in that mid 2nd half stretch(at this point in the season) shows me we need a new leader. At this point, how does next year project to be an improvement?

 

[r_u_worthy]

Thanks Gary- good summary of that effort from the guys. I know he has had a lot of haters on here, but RJ put it all out there on Roy’s Court last night. He really has for the last 5 years. Damn glad to call that kid a Tar Heel. I picked him out as Frosh as one to watch and it has been absolute pleasure. He’s not always perfect, but he never fails because of lack of effort.
That 15 min stretch spanning the 2 halves was a joy to behold. Up under those kids guarding hard and being completely disruptive; getting out on the break and running it down their throats, shot making really rocking those dudes back!
just wish we could have rode that wave another 15 minutes! still thought they had a real shot when EC hit that 3 to cut it to 4. Fun watch though and probably the best stretch of ball against a high quality opponent all season!

 

[gary-7]

No offense but there are very strong and effective medications for delusionality.

Come on now, you know better than that.

 

[gary-7]

One can get in a lengthy discussion about all the shortcomings in regards to Hubert Davis and his version of Carolina basketball. There are 10s of different aspects to analyze but in the end, the season, the career, is defined by your record. Huberts career thus far is basically a rollercoaster. Just as many lows as highs. That should not work at UNC. It appears that Hubert will return as coach next year but i would vote to start anew with a new coach and new gm. Hubert has experienced, veteran players. The execution should be like clockwork, easily identified, and quickly rightened. It is not. The picture last nite of a young, first year ladened dook team showing a veteran, experienced Carolina group how offense is executed in crunch time is the snapshot that cannot be accepted. Huberts veteran teams must win the execution battle and the fact that his team looked so inept offensively in that mid 2nd half stretch(at this point in the season) shows me we need a new leader. At this point, how does next year project to be an improvement?

I get every bit of that, and as I said in another thread, coaching is nuanced, and such is Hubert's performance. What I offered there was that we have a capable staff who have made some poor decisions. Some of that has been at least somewhat corrected of late, yet there are still some aspects that have gone wanting.

To address your closing question, with Hubert returning (with a GM and more resources at hand), for me the indicators of the right direction starts first this summer, by resolving to build next year's team around Eliot (with full keys), as not only is that the vital starting block, it has the added value of keeping Caleb Wilson in the fold.
Second, once the other returnees are sorted out and the Frosh coming in, add a post-up big-body thru the portal, and then fill as needed.
And third, resolve to return to the full Carolina transition game, and keying half-court offense off the Secondary (run correctly) and take a more inside-out and vertical offensive approach.

All of this is in the staff's repertoire (since they all played under it), and if they do that, success should follow. If not, welp...