Looking ahead to Wednesday...

[gary-7]

...this was something I posted late in the last "stuff" thread, but I'm just gonna put this up here as a new thread for a comparison touchstone.
I'm sure we're interested to see if anything positive emerges after Portland, even though it's obviously on a short turnaround. Perhaps some reinforcement of the things mentioned in the post that follows:
---

What I know: For those who think Hubert's "green light" is more egalitarian than Roy's, you are certainly correct. Hubert is trying to make a conscious effort to instill more confidence in his shooters (as Roy's could be somewhat arbitrary, especially towards the end). OK, fine. And Hubert has also introduced more "NBA stuff" into our half-court offense (e.g., forced switches, 2-man game, Bigs diving late from the perimter), which caught some opponents off-balance last season.

But here's what I see: 1) the green light has indeed been too green, especially as it pertains to shot-selection by our Guards, and 2) once that "NBA stuff" is scouted, it loses its surprise luster, and if opponents don't bite, then you have college guys having to be late-shot-clock NBA-level decision-makers... and with no legit PG?... you see where this is going, right?... yikes!

Back to what I know: I CAN tell y'all that Hubert has NOT eschewed Dean's teachings. Without talking too much out of school, in private conversations Hubert has indicated a dedication to reintroducing our guys to the Secondary, and his determination to deploy the defensive arsenal he grew up with.

And again. what I see: The staff HAS been pushing our transition game in practice, and at times it shows. The next steps though involves convincing our Guards not to put their heads down for predetermined finishes, and (for everybody not named Leaky) to PITCH AHEAD. As for the defensive side, THANKFULLY we saw 32 and 42 yesterday (and some 24 on Friday). This roster is TAILOR-MADE for Dean's scrambles and Hubert needs to NEVER be shy about whipping these bad boys out.

Finally, two more observations/prescriptions (and of course, the staff reads these ):
1) IMO, the next step in our evolution is to trigger half-court offense with Secondary action, especially pass reversals, and less reliance on set plays and the NBA stuff. Moreover, we need to evolve out of iso-ball. As I said in the OP, Oats is a crap coach with a crap "system". I mean, I was f***ing THANKING him for running those dumbass iso possessions with Quinerly or MIller dicking around with the ball --- they were a combined 12/47 (!!!) from the field, BTW --- so the obvious self-scouting question for our staff should be, do we really want to emulate that? Welp, we did in the OTs. Food for thought, no?
2) We can't play inside-out with late post action. Let's leave that on the cutting-room floor, as it were... again, IMO.

---
Again, I'll be watching to see if at lease some more progress is made pl;aying in a tough environment Wednesday. I'm not gonna panic or get too excited either way, but it sure would be nice......

 

[dtodd4475]

This is a lets see what we have game for IU. They have played bottom level D1 teams with the exception of Xavier (it was at Xavier) who had them beat, missed a great look contested 4 footer for the win.

TJD like Mando is the not quite NBA game kid who returns for 3rd year as pre season 1st team All American. Solid, can dominate (we wanted him bad) but has holes. Less a banger then Mando, but has not developed away from paint skill set enough either for next level, but he does have a more skilled bag in the paint and high post short corner.

They do not shoot 3's great, got a couple only 3 shooter limited overall guys like Kopp. They can be shaky at the free throw line.

Vetern transfer Xavier Johnson (we know him from Pitt) has played really well to start. He has never been an efficient shooter though, we will see if it lasts in that area. Solid, strong vetern point man though.

Two athletic freshmen Reanau and Hood-Schifino are trying to acclimate, they should be good, but Reanau looks bad at the line. Geronimo athletic as well, but he is still looking to find his happy place on the court as a soph.

Thompson is the old, strong, banger the fan base hates him, but he can give the lunch pail type games and plays hard. Put back dunks, dee, thinks can shoot at times.

Very tough spot after 3 1/2 (with the 4 ot extra full half) games in 4 days in Oregon. Fly back cross country, rest, go to what will be a snake pit environment, to meet a team and rabid fan base who have been eyeing this one for quite awhile. Even with all that, if Mando is a solid go, I think UNC flies home with some tired bodies, some broad smiles, and a quality road win.

 

[sctarheel30]

They have definitely played a daunting schedule

 

[FlaTarHeel]

Very tough spot after 3 1/2 (with the 4 ot extra full half) games in 4 days in Oregon. Fly back cross country, rest, go to what will be a snake pit environment, to meet a team and rabid fan base who have been eyeing this one for quite awhile. Even with all that, if Mando is a solid go, I think UNC flies home with some tired bodies, some broad smiles, and a quality road win.

Agree, our guys are reading all the negative internet chatter about their play in Portland and some are responding verbally, especially Mando.
It's time to start playing like the best team in America and I think it starts tomorrow.

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

A veteran team whose ranking dropped like an anchor should be plenty, plenty pissed.
We will know much more about our guys by midnight. I sense victory.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

It is time to collectively man up and to individually reflect on whether you are a net addition or subtraction to the team! I think our guys have enough character and love for each other to take this process seriously and respond well! I expect to come out of this with a hard fought win and for this to be the next step in finding our team identity!

 

[HoosierfanJM]

1) This is a lets see what we have game for IU. They have played bottom level D1 teams with the exception of Xavier (it was at Xavier) who had them beat, missed a great look contested 4 footer for the win.

2) TJD like Mando is the not quite NBA game kid who returns for 3rd year as pre season 1st team All American. Solid, can dominate (we wanted him bad) but has holes. Less a banger then Mando, but has not developed away from paint skill set enough either for next level, but he does have a more skilled bag in the paint and high post short corner.

3) They do not shoot 3's great, got a couple only 3 shooter limited overall guys like Kopp. They can be shaky at the free throw line.

4) Vetern transfer Xavier Johnson (we know him from Pitt) has played really well to start. He has never been an efficient shooter though, we will see if it lasts in that area. Solid, strong vetern point man though.

5) Two athletic freshmen Reanau and Hood-Schifino are trying to acclimate, they should be good, but Reanau looks bad at the line. Geronimo athletic as well, but he is still looking to find his happy place on the court as a soph.

6) Thompson is the old, strong, banger the fan base hates him, but he can give the lunch pail type games and plays hard. Put back dunks, dee, thinks can shoot at times.

Very tough spot after 3 1/2 (with the 4 ot extra full half) games in 4 days in Oregon. Fly back cross country, rest, go to what will be a snake pit environment, to meet a team and rabid fan base who have been eyeing this one for quite awhile. Even with all that, if Mando is a solid go, I think UNC flies home with some tired bodies, some broad smiles, and a quality road win.

An excellent detailed assessment!
Some IU perspective:

1) Completely agree.

2) Generally true, but TJD's best skill is that he may be the quickest true big in the country. However, much like Bacot, TJD is injured (lower back) and if this were a cupcake game, I would think neither TJD nor Bacot would be playing.

3) The three point numbers have been quite good so far this year, but it has been the clearly identified weakness of this IU team. Kopp is the only '3pt only' guy. They need non-3pt only guys to shoot them better, and so far this year they have.

4) X has been fantastic. He was always a hot-headed, high talent, lousy shooting pg, but he shot over 38% from three on volume last year and has been even better this year. He's prone to foul trouble.

5) Hood-Schifino was supposed to be the instantly ready freshman, but so far his shot selection stinks. He's been good in other areas though. Reneau has been incredibly good, especially for a freshman big.

6) Good assessment of Thompson's skill set, but very much disagree about the fan base's opinion of him. Race Thompson is about as beloved by the fan base as could be possible.

Here's to an injury-free, great game. Assembly Hall will have an awesome atmosphere, and it should be a close one!

 

[tarwhiz]

An excellent detailed assessment!
Some IU perspective:

1) Completely agree.

2) Generally true, but TJD's best skill is that he may be the quickest true big in the country. However, much like Bacot, TJD is injured (lower back) and if this were a cupcake game, I would think neither TJD nor Bacot would be playing.

3) The three point numbers have been quite good so far this year, but it has been the clearly identified weakness of this IU team. Kopp is the only '3pt only' guy. They need non-3pt only guys to shoot them better, and so far this year they have.

4) X has been fantastic. He was always a hot-headed, high talent, lousy shooting pg, but he shot over 38% from three on volume last year and has been even better this year. He's prone to foul trouble.

5) Hood-Schifino was supposed to be the instantly ready freshman, but so far his shot selection stinks. He's been good in other areas though. Reneau has been incredibly good, especially for a freshman big.

6) Good assessment of Thompson's skill set, but very much disagree about the fan base's opinion of him. Race Thompson is about as beloved by the fan base as could be possible.

Here's to an injury-free, great game. Assembly Hall will have an awesome atmosphere, and it should be a close one!

As a Tar Heel fan, I worry about IU guards playing bully ball with R.J. and Caleb. Johnson and Hood- Shifino are both plus athletes with very strong builds.
Jackson- Davis is also a better Athlete than Bacot, but TJD has been foul prone in his career and Bacot ( if healthy) has been getting fouled a ton already this season.
Overall, I like the matchup for the Tar Heels, in that IU will not go off and make a bunch of contested 3' s. That being said, this is the toughest game on our schedule, because of the venue.

 

[HoosierfanJM]

As a Tar Heel fan, I worry about IU guards playing bully ball with R.J. and Caleb. Johnson and Hood- Shifino are both plus athletes with very strong builds.
Jackson- Davis is also a better Athlete than Bacot, but TJD has been foul prone in his career and Bacot ( if healthy) has been getting fouled a ton already this season.
Overall, I like the matchup for the Tar Heels, in that IU will not go off and make a bunch of contested 3' s. That being said, this is the toughest game on our schedule, because of the venue.

Trayce Jackson Davis is in his fourth year of college ball and averages 1.9 fouls per game. He has never fouled out of a college game.

I worry about Caleb Love going off; more than a few times a year it seems that he is flat-out unstoppable. IU doesn't have a guy like him that can create and drill jumpers from all over the court. I also worry about Xavier Johnson getting in early foul trouble - it happens when he gets too amped up for a game.

Indiana's bench has been just as good as their starters this year; when Reneau, Galloway, Bates, and Geronimo come in at about the 14 minute mark of the first half there has been a significant boost for IU in every game this season -- they have dominated against tired starters and other teams' benches. If there are a ton of whistles against both teams and lineups are scrambled, IU would consider that a major plus.

I like IU's chances a lot if IU has a minimal lead and players start to get worn down. IU is rested and with a very strong bench, and I would think UNC will have some mental fatigue in what should be an electric Assembly Hall.

 

[Bubspub88]

I worry about Caleb Love going off; more than a few times a year it seems that he is flat-out unstoppable. IU doesn't have a guy like him that can create and drill jumpers from all over the court. I also worry about Xavier Johnson getting in early foul trouble - it happens when he gets too amped up for a game.

Caleb will be the most valuable player on the court, for which team is the question.

 

[tarwhiz]

Trayce Jackson Davis is in his fourth year of college ball and averages 1.9 fouls per game. He has never fouled out of a college game.

I worry about Caleb Love going off; more than a few times a year it seems that he is flat-out unstoppable. IU doesn't have a guy like him that can create and drill jumpers from all over the court. I also worry about Xavier Johnson getting in early foul trouble - it happens when he gets too amped up for a game.

Indiana's bench has been just as good as their starters this year; when Reneau, Galloway, Bates, and Geronimo come in at about the 14 minute mark of the first half there has been a significant boost for IU in every game this season -- they have dominated against tired starters and other teams' benches. If there are a ton of whistles against both teams and lineups are scrambled, IU would consider that a major plus.

I like IU's chances a lot if IU has a minimal lead and players start to get worn down. IU is rested and with a very strong bench, and I would think UNC will have some mental fatigue in what should be an electric Assembly Hall.

Surprised with that stat on TJD, don't question it, just surprised. I don't watch IU as much as I did growing up when they were really Good, but I watch them often living in Jasper, IN.
IU definitely plays deeper right now, we Carolina fans think we have a capable bench that is not being used.
IU bench numbers could be skewed early by playing weaker competition, besides Xavier.
Beating teams by 30 plus, usually means many players get to eat throughout.
Injuries have also allowed Woodson to give time to deeper bench players than he might if TJD was playing.
The venue will be rocking indeed, but this Carolina team has won 3 of the last 4 visits to Cameron Indoor Stadium
( Hansbrough Indoor Stadium to Carolina fans) so these kids are used to playing in extreme home court settings.
I feel if the game is close, Carolina will find a way to win this time. Carolina wins if ahead at the half.
I do worry about the game getting away from us if Bacot or Black still have lingering ankle issues.
Looking forward to the game, appreciate your honest and fair analysis.
Enjoy the game