...and I decided not to keep my normal stats, given the helter-skelter nature of the personnel and knowing Roy would be mixing and matching. For this one I was most concerned with positions, and "look", i.e., how well were guys fitting into the system and executing on both ends.
Positions:
-The starting lineup of 7th/Theo/Cam/Luke/Garrison was a bit of a surprise, but then again it wasn't (see below).
- 7th and Jalek played exclusively at PG, covering all the minutes there between them
- Theo played 2 and 3 with a couple of rotations at the 4
- Cam played the 3 with a few rotations at the 4
- Luke played mostly 4, with two second-half rotations at the 5 in our Small lineup.
- Kenny played the 2 and 3
- BRob played the 2 and 3
- Garrison played mostly 5, with stints at the 4 when in with Manley or Huff
- Andrew played exclusively at the 2
- Manley and Huffman played exclusively at the 5
- Walker played the 5 and some 4 when in with Manley or Huff
Stuff:
- I suspect that switching up the Wings in the starting lineup had a lot to do with compensating for JB being out, i.e., Theo moving back to the 2 to provide a play-making safety blanket for 7th. I was told before JB's injury to expect the starting lineup at Memphis to continue to the regular season, which made total sense... and watching tonight's game did nothing to change that.
- We were generally miserable defensively, and that starts with the fact that the ringleader (and only PG that Ds up worth a damn) was wearing a cast on the bench. Also, our frosh Bigs were usually late or out of position in Help-D. Huff's Blocks were nice but he was as guilty as the rest in positioning
- There's little doubt why Brooks is starting, but Manley had a productive first half and Huff came on stronger in the second. Also, as i've said before, it's a shame Walker isn't more physically ready --- he is very skilled
- Luke was the best player on the floor Friday night. And Theo was Theo, and his shooting stroke looks much better.
- Roy tried out going with two Freshman Bigs in the game a lot in the second half. Probably won't be seeing that much if at all in the regular season.
- Honestly, the best we "looked", i.e., looked like an actual Carolina team, was when Jalek was in with any two of Kenny, Theo or Platek at the Wings.The spacing was strong, the Passing Game functioned right and we were more efficient.
- Bless his heart, but watching 7th play PG is still painful. Although he's keeping his balance better on defense, on offense the spacing and decision-making issues just haven't improved.
Disappointments:
- The crowd. C'mon, Heel fans.
- BRob - didn't quite show the improved court presence I hoped he would
- Cam - I'm not at all concerned the he had an off shooting night --- that will come. The biggest early questions are about the other things. He was ok in transition but frankly he's still a bit lost in half-court in the Passing Game and defensively he just wasn't good at all, and we're gonna need more of a board presence from him.
Finally:
A couple of posters astutely pointed out this week that we shouldn't expect things to go smoothly with JB out. Indeed, it's impossible to overstate how much better we are when Little Dog is on the floor, and that's been true since he stepped on campus. It's certainly not comforting to see Barton's coach calling TO after cutting it to 11 with just under a minute to go --- he wasn'tjust preparing his team for close games --- they were technically still in it. Let's just say I'm definitely glad we're getting an additional exhibition!
Tonight 7th and Jalek got 19 and 21 mnutes respectively. When UNI comes to Chapel Hill I certainly hope Jalek starts and gets 30 minutes, and I would like to see the Memphis starting lineup (minus JB of course). I really feel Cam will serve best as instant offense off the bench as he adjusts to what's expected of him. Ironically, he had his best offensive output tonight whilst he was playing the 4, which is encouraging as he expands his game.
Anyway, it was a first game for many of our guys in front of a crowd and a lot of nerves and mixing-and-matching was going on so I'm not gonna worry about things like FT% yet... or who had an off shooting night. It is however important that we establish an early continuity of playing sound Carolina Basketball on both ends before JB comes back --- if we do that we'll be fine. IMO that will be best accomplished with Kenny, Theo and Luke anchoring things.
Positions:
-The starting lineup of 7th/Theo/Cam/Luke/Garrison was a bit of a surprise, but then again it wasn't (see below).
- 7th and Jalek played exclusively at PG, covering all the minutes there between them
- Theo played 2 and 3 with a couple of rotations at the 4
- Cam played the 3 with a few rotations at the 4
- Luke played mostly 4, with two second-half rotations at the 5 in our Small lineup.
- Kenny played the 2 and 3
- BRob played the 2 and 3
- Garrison played mostly 5, with stints at the 4 when in with Manley or Huff
- Andrew played exclusively at the 2
- Manley and Huffman played exclusively at the 5
- Walker played the 5 and some 4 when in with Manley or Huff
Stuff:
- I suspect that switching up the Wings in the starting lineup had a lot to do with compensating for JB being out, i.e., Theo moving back to the 2 to provide a play-making safety blanket for 7th. I was told before JB's injury to expect the starting lineup at Memphis to continue to the regular season, which made total sense... and watching tonight's game did nothing to change that.
- We were generally miserable defensively, and that starts with the fact that the ringleader (and only PG that Ds up worth a damn) was wearing a cast on the bench. Also, our frosh Bigs were usually late or out of position in Help-D. Huff's Blocks were nice but he was as guilty as the rest in positioning
- There's little doubt why Brooks is starting, but Manley had a productive first half and Huff came on stronger in the second. Also, as i've said before, it's a shame Walker isn't more physically ready --- he is very skilled
- Luke was the best player on the floor Friday night. And Theo was Theo, and his shooting stroke looks much better.
- Roy tried out going with two Freshman Bigs in the game a lot in the second half. Probably won't be seeing that much if at all in the regular season.
- Honestly, the best we "looked", i.e., looked like an actual Carolina team, was when Jalek was in with any two of Kenny, Theo or Platek at the Wings.The spacing was strong, the Passing Game functioned right and we were more efficient.
- Bless his heart, but watching 7th play PG is still painful. Although he's keeping his balance better on defense, on offense the spacing and decision-making issues just haven't improved.
Disappointments:
- The crowd. C'mon, Heel fans.
- BRob - didn't quite show the improved court presence I hoped he would
- Cam - I'm not at all concerned the he had an off shooting night --- that will come. The biggest early questions are about the other things. He was ok in transition but frankly he's still a bit lost in half-court in the Passing Game and defensively he just wasn't good at all, and we're gonna need more of a board presence from him.
Finally:
A couple of posters astutely pointed out this week that we shouldn't expect things to go smoothly with JB out. Indeed, it's impossible to overstate how much better we are when Little Dog is on the floor, and that's been true since he stepped on campus. It's certainly not comforting to see Barton's coach calling TO after cutting it to 11 with just under a minute to go --- he wasn'tjust preparing his team for close games --- they were technically still in it. Let's just say I'm definitely glad we're getting an additional exhibition!
Tonight 7th and Jalek got 19 and 21 mnutes respectively. When UNI comes to Chapel Hill I certainly hope Jalek starts and gets 30 minutes, and I would like to see the Memphis starting lineup (minus JB of course). I really feel Cam will serve best as instant offense off the bench as he adjusts to what's expected of him. Ironically, he had his best offensive output tonight whilst he was playing the 4, which is encouraging as he expands his game.
Anyway, it was a first game for many of our guys in front of a crowd and a lot of nerves and mixing-and-matching was going on so I'm not gonna worry about things like FT% yet... or who had an off shooting night. It is however important that we establish an early continuity of playing sound Carolina Basketball on both ends before JB comes back --- if we do that we'll be fine. IMO that will be best accomplished with Kenny, Theo and Luke anchoring things.
