Quick stuff (JCS exhibition)...

[gary-7]

...and we'll just use this last tune-up for a checklist.

After some initial lethargic effort on our end coupled with the predictable pumped-up opponent, this was just gonna be a chance to check ourselves, so let's run thru it quickly:

- we started Small this time with Tyson at the 4 and at Seth at the 3. Dunno if that will be the same going forward --- could change as to matchups

- Speaking of Cade, his stroke didn't look rushed this time --- that's more like it.

- Seth continued his newly proactive slasher game

- Lotta chances to mix-and-match lineups, from very Big to Small

- Good showcase op for the Frosh. Jackson got to show out some without rushing himself so much --- Powell keeps flashing that freaky athleticism (that 2-handed snatch-block was nasty) --- Brown again gave solid minutes. On the negative side, Ian still needs to realize that he doesn't have to force everytime he gets the ball in transition --- make the extra pass when in doubt. And Drake needs to grasp that he's not a Guard in our system --- get the rock to your PG instead pf pulling an Ingram in transition.

- Speaking of transition, there were two concerns: 1) after doing a concerted job at OUTLET passes at Memphis, there were too many times in which we eschewed it in favor of dribbling, and 2) we need to re-emphasize the trail DIVE to the block --- not doing that clogs the Secondary and/or ends it too soon.

- I was hoping to see a few more minutes of EC and RJ together just to evaluate how we were gonna move the rock. We need at all costs to avoid RJ becoming a de facto ball-stopper as happened too often last season. The Memphis game was a clinic in ball-movement and that needs to be the template now with RJ back on the floor. We avoided the old habit for the most part.

- Our Bigs all gave good accounts of themselves, with the obvious caveat that we had JCS overmatched physically. And I TOLD y'all you were gonna see more lobs this season.

- I would love to see our utilization of depth and balanced scoring from the exhibitions continue into the actual season. We shall see...

- FT pct was encouraging

- Mostly avoided self-inflicted TOs

- Been watching EC on the defensive end and really liking what I'm seeing --- he's meshing into our 21.5 seamlessly and has learned to be a pesky defender w/out the give-away fouls. Got his hands on several balls as well. Also, our savant PG was the driver of the Ferrari, getting just about what I figured his season averages will be (12 and 8) with no TOs in somewhat fewer minutes than we'll see in real games (and that dime to JWash to end the first half was just sick). Next step in the young fellas development is getting that FT pct closer to 80...

Finally, nice tuneup and a nice coda with a Blue Steel dunk in the Dome. Good chance to clean some stuff up and we mostly did. Moving forward I still maintain that it is ESSENTIAL that we work half-court offense thru JWash --- and not just the PnR stuff, but inside-out as well.

Anyway, sh** gets real quick with our schedule with only one "tune-up" type game at the outset, so here we go Heels --- there'll be some growing pains but it should be fun to watch!...


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[Ozheelfan]

Thanks Gary… I could only watch the short highlight clips but liked the look of Lubin’s activity…. Looks like a perfect transfer pickup for this group.

 

[gary-7]

Thanks Gary… I could only watch the short highlight clips but liked the look of Lubin’s activity…. Looks like a perfect transfer pickup for this group.

He was definitely more active and caught the ball better than he did vs Memphis.

 

[r_u_worthy]

Thanks G! Good write up. I only got to see the last 10 minutes. Some fun moments. It looks like the Heels offense will be Coach’s vision with the interchangeable parts and open lane. The defense is still that 21.5 as the base. Any looks at other defenses in this game that we could see more of moving forward?

 

[gary-7]

Thanks G! Good write up. I only got to see the last 10 minutes. Some fun moments. It looks like the Heels offense will be Coach’s vision with the interchangeable parts and open lane. The defense is still that 21.5 as the base. Any looks at other defenses in this game that we could see more of moving forward?

Good question. They have practiced traps and Zone. If/when we see them remains to be seen...

 

[DSouthr]

What a top 10 team does to an inferior opponent is EXACTLY what our Heels did to Johnson C Smith today, leave no doubt. It is hard for many strong teams to not play down to the competition, to get over confident, to lose their intensity. This was fun to watch!

Couple things just stick out looking at the box score, the most notable was how balanced our scoring was, 7 guys scored double digits and Drake had 8pts to go along with 9 boards! They didn't force things, they got what they did thru the flow of the offense and yet defensively they just didn't let up. I talked a lot over the summer about minute distribution, took some blow back for it actually. But the pay off is to have the fresher legs, this game was a perfect example of just that. This was an exhibition game, not going to quibble over Jwash only getting 14mins or RJ less than 18. What better time to get James Brown 10mins of development time or allowing Ian and Drake to stretch their freshman legs a bit, it is what exhibitions are for.

My main concern for this season was and still is that we are not real long in our front court when JWash sits and JWash sits a lot (more than I feel he should). But the most effective way to neutralize height is with quickness and speed and enough shooting to keep the longer team having to play honest (burn em when they double off). While this is a really hard game to be critical of lets face it, this was not Kansas or duke. JWash has to be on the floor more when we see those really long teams and we need to play thru him a bit more, as gary points out. When our center can not be left alone on those mid range or treys he drags to opposing center out away from the paint and everything opens up from that point. If you can not double with a shot blocker guys like Cadeau, RJ, Drake, Ian, or Seth then really good things happen for us. To be fair, Lubin showed the ability to force a big to step out to him as well, great to see.

I really want to see the way we played today to define this team for the whole season, great pace and deep deep bench! We have Elon up next, basically our last tune up before the bullets get real and this pre-conference slate of games for us just is no joke because the competition ramps up big time just around the corner! Love what I am seeing so far!

 

[DSouthr]

Good question. They have practiced traps and Zone. If/when we see them remains to be seen...

Well, I think if I were coaching against this team, Cadeau, Seth, Ian, JWit, Lubin, and Drake would have to prove to me they can consistently hit long jump shots, I am playing them to drive. The problem is we have a couple of zone busters in RJ and Tyson, and really JWash is as well that make clogging up the paint hard. Our spacing looks and should look really good so far because you have to respect our speed, quickness, and insane athletism our our guards.

But I watched us against memphis and happened again today, we have really good middle length and active hands (especially when Drake and Ian are in together, these freshmen work hard defensively, sort of like the anti Caleb/Kerwin LOL. While against longer front courts longer back courts as well we can have some match up problems but we give them match up problems as well. Playing such a deep bench not only gives you the fresher legs advantage against most teams but it as well tends to keep the intensity level up.

 

[gary-7]

Thanks G! Good write up. I only got to see the last 10 minutes. Some fun moments. It looks like the Heels offense will be Coach’s vision with the interchangeable parts and open lane. The defense is still that 21.5 as the base. Any looks at other defenses in this game that we could see more of moving forward?

Good question. They have practiced traps and Zone. If/when we see them remains to be seen...

 

[alabamaheel]

Been a crazy weekend and just now got to watch the game on YouTube. My few observations are pretty simple from comparing last year for me. EC has improved his shot for sure. Would still love to see no hesitation on the several wide open looks he got but didn’t need the shots tonight. Early second half RJ showed a ton on development on running the point compared to last year. Pushed the ball ahead, moved the ball, and looked to set up guys, who blew the assists lol, but all in all was still RJ.

The freshman showed they belong and that we finally have a bench with not a lot of drip off. Maybe can have nights where they are better than some starters. Seth is balling and probably the best storyline imo. Go to college, work, be patient, work, develop, and jump on the opportunity while you wait your turn and prove you can be the guy. Love it!
J wash and lubin will be great, considering the two man games that EC and RJ were pounding the opposition with. Tyson will be just fine of course. This team is unselfish and it exudes from everyone. Memphis was ok and this team was not good, but I believe we have enough talent this year to catch a couple hot hands from several different guys at anytime, during any game.

 

[Kool1234567]

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/unc.sidearmsports.com/documents/2024/10/27/Johnson_C._Smith_vs._North_Carolina_final_box.pdf?timestamp=20241027081152

Looked good…

 

[DSouthr]

Good question. They have practiced traps and Zone. If/when we see them remains to be seen...

Yeah, Gary, I want to see a bit more on the defensive end. Nothing drive me more bonkers is than to see opposing teams walk the ball up court on us, I am about putting game pressure on the opposing teams in every aspect, I want to force them to do what I want them to do rather than they be allowed to set the tone, throw the punch rather than take it and when you do make it a knock out blow.

I am not talking about a constant full court hard press but I do want my PG playing at least token pressure so their PG has to be concerned with a defender rather than thinking about the attack he wants to set up while he takes a casual Sunday afternoon stroll up court. I want that pressure to be like Seth's dribble, constant variation from token pressure to moderate (not risk a foul but increase the heat), to hard challenge of the inbound pass, to hard full court pressure with 3/4 traps set to funnel to the side line out of bounds, change it up. Throw the fast ball but throw the change up and the curve that make the fast ball look even faster. This speeds up the other team both physically and mentally and the body withers physically in he face of that kind of constant game pressure.

That kind of game pressure can neutralize the length advantage that teams like Kansas and duke will have on us and we all know what happens when the opposing team get physically and mentally worn down. They foul, they are not as quick to close out, they resort to more jumpers, they play their bench more than they want to, they are able to be beaten back down court (just to name a few).

 

[gary-7]

Yeah, Gary, I want to see a bit more on the defensive end. Nothing drive me more bonkers is than to see opposing teams walk the ball up court on us, I am about putting game pressure on the opposing teams in every aspect, I want to force them to do what I want them to do rather than they be allowed to set the tone, throw the punch rather than take it and when you do make it a knock out blow.

I am not talking about a constant full court hard press but I do want my PG playing at least token pressure so their PG has to be concerned with a defender rather than thinking about the attack he wants to set up while he takes a casual Sunday afternoon stroll up court. I want that pressure to be like Seth's dribble, constant variation from token pressure to moderate (not risk a foul but increase the heat), to hard challenge of the inbound pass, to hard full court pressure with 3/4 traps set to funnel to the side line out of bounds, change it up. Throw the fast ball but throw the change up and the curve that make the fast ball look even faster. This speeds up the other team both physically and mentally and the body withers physically in he face of that kind of constant game pressure.

That kind of game pressure can neutralize the length advantage that teams like Kansas and duke will have on us and we all know what happens when the opposing team get physically and mentally worn down. They foul, they are not as quick to close out, they resort to more jumpers, they play their bench more than they want to, they are able to be beaten back down court (just to name a few).

Preachin' to the choir, D. But yeah, especially with this kind of depth, time to bring more defensive looks.

 

[DSouthr]

Preachin' to the choir, D. But yeah, especially with this kind of depth, time to bring more defensive looks.

The 1 thing I DO NOT want to see us try EVER again is that switch all 5 nonsense, who ever thunk that up needs to go back on their meds! LOL Switch 4 & 5 fine, switch 1 & 2 fine, switch 2 & 3 even 3 & 4 at times but I hope I have seen my center 40ft from the basket trying to guard a 1 or a 2 guard for the LAST dang time! LOL, RJ LIVES to get a center 40' from the basket and act like he is going to guard him, it would be RJ playing with a yoyo LOL!

 

[TPFKAPFS]

What if your 5 is T Claude or JWit and your 4 is Drake? I hate switching all 5 too, but I think we have the athletes to switch 1-3 &/or 3-5. I see a team of athletes who can play multiple positions and any kind of ball out there. I also don't like 5 out on offense, but I think our guys could play it! I need to see Seth absolutely hounding peeps trying to bring up the ball and I can't wait to see Kansas' and puke's tongues wagging during the endgame! I trust EC a whole lot more as to not fouling too much, but if I was going to hound a PG, I would use Seth!

 

[gary-7]

What if your 5 is T Claude or JWit and your 4 is Drake? I hate switching all 5 too, but I think we have the athletes to switch 1-3 &/or 3-5. I see a team of athletes who can play multiple positions and any kind of ball out there. I also don't like 5 out on offense, but I think our guys could play it! I need to see Seth absolutely hounding peeps trying to bring up the ball and I can't wait to see Kansas' and puke's tongues wagging during the endgame! I trust EC a whole lot more as to not fouling too much, but if I was going to hound a PG, I would use Seth!

We're no longer doing 1-5. We switch across the perimeter (incl Bigs in high picks) but we don't get stuck on up-down switches when the Big goes to the paint (which are deadly).

 

[NathanFielder]

Switching for me is more matchup dependent. If you’re playing a really talented ball handling team, you probably don’t want to switch. If you have an elite shooter but non ball handler, you might want to switch depending who’s screening.

More important question is do you know what you’re doing late game and in special situations? Switching is easiest because everyone will likely be on the same page. Whether that works out on the scoreboard will determine if it’s a success or not.

For me, that’s the important question. In the last minute against Alabama, Nelson did a slip screen for Sears and UNC defended it the way they traditionally defend non-sideline ball screens… Bacot hedging and Ryan fighting over the ball screen. Forget it, not going to work against a slip. Withers was late for help. In that scenario, a switch gives you a better chance.

So much more relevant what you do late game. And this team has some youth to it so you probably need to make things more basic at least early in the season.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Bottom line is we have the horses to play hard nosed, multiple D and keep them guessing all game long! Once the team buckled down and applied some pressure on the boards and on D, our team ran away from JCS. I love the fact that Hubs now has video to reinforce his insistence on starting fast and never allowing yourself to be complacent!

 

[alabamaheel]

Switching for me is more matchup dependent. If you’re playing a really talented ball handling team, you probably don’t want to switch. If you have an elite shooter but non ball handler, you might want to switch depending who’s screening.

More important question is do you know what you’re doing late game and in special situations? Switching is easiest because everyone will likely be on the same page. Whether that works out on the scoreboard will determine if it’s a success or not.

For me, that’s the important question. In the last minute against Alabama, Nelson did a slip screen for Sears and UNC defended it the way they traditionally defend non-sideline ball screens… Bacot hedging and Ryan fighting over the ball screen. Forget it, not going to work against a slip. Withers was late for help. In that scenario, a switch gives you a better chance.

So much more relevant what you do late game. And this team has some youth to it so you probably need to make things more basic at least early in the season.

Withers came in and did his part to slow down Nelson but I wished coach would have had someone else in before those couple of plays for sure. Which leads me to divulge some intel that I’ve heard here in north Alabama. Nelson is playing great but Stevenson is the best player on the team and showing out right now. I know, it doesn’t matter to us , but just some info from some locals that I have to hear from living here.

 

[gary-7]

Withers came in and did his part to slow down Nelson but I wished coach would have had someone else in before those couple of plays for sure. Which leads me to divulge some intel that I’ve heard here in north Alabama. Nelson is playing great but Stevenson is the best player on the team and showing out right now. I know, it doesn’t matter to us , but just some info from some locals that I have to hear from living here.

All I have to say to those jabronies is back off EC and Seth again and see what happens...

 

[NathanFielder]

Bottom line is we have the horses to play hard nosed, multiple D and keep them guessing all game long! Once the team buckled down and applied some pressure on the boards and on D, our team ran away from JCS. I love the fact that Hubs now has video to reinforce his insistence on starting fast and never allowing yourself to be complacent!

We'll see. This team will obviously be pretty small. Will that mean we'll see a big pressure defense? I'm skeptical of that because I've never seen that kind of defense from UNC teams in my lifetime. Maybe past defenses have been multiple (I question that to a degree) but I've never seen 40 minutes of "guard your yard" intense defensive pressure.

I'm intrigued, but I think there are some clear limitations as of today. Maybe everything gets figured out in the end.

I'll be interested to see it though.

 

[alabamaheel]

All I have to say to those jabronies is back off EC and Seth again and see what happens...

I’d love to get the chance. Especially after the whole states football condition. lol. People here are ready for basketball for a change and it’s hilarious.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

We'll see. This team will obviously be pretty small. Will that mean we'll see a big pressure defense? I'm skeptical of that because I've never seen that kind of defense from UNC teams in my lifetime. Maybe past defenses have been multiple (I question that to a degree) but I've never seen 40 minutes of "guard your yard" intense defensive pressure.

I'm intrigued, but I think there are some clear limitations as of today. Maybe everything gets figured out in the end.

I'll be interested to see it though.

Our team will be small situationally but it doesn't have to be. We could have a 6'3", 6'5", 6'8", 6'9", 6'10" or 11" lineup if needed. We can play any style and matchup well with almost all teams. The key is we will need to rebound as a team and play hard nosed D all game. I see Hubs emphasizing running and getting in peeps' jocks. I expect this team to embrace it and be deep enough to sustain it. I see only 1 potential limitation and that is individual will! With 9-10 guys ready to step up, I see plenty of motivation to stay focused because you can easily see yourself move down the bench! Why would you question that UNC teams have played multiple D styles in the past? I anticipate seeing even more of it this year as they gel.

 

[NathanFielder]

Our team will be small situationally but it doesn't have to be. We could have a 6'3", 6'5", 6'8", 6'9", 6'10" or 11" lineup if needed. We can play any style and matchup well with almost all teams. The key is we will need to rebound as a team and play hard nosed D all game. I see Hubs emphasizing running and getting in peeps' jocks. I expect this team to embrace it and be deep enough to sustain it. I see only 1 potential limitation and that is individual will! With 9-10 guys ready to step up, I see plenty of motivation to stay focused because you can easily see yourself move down the bench! Why would you question that UNC teams have played multiple D styles in the past? I anticipate seeing even more of it this year as they gel.

Maybe your right. Again, I just haven't seen a UNC team that plays with a ferocious intensity of D for 40 minutes each game. I don't really think that's been UNC's identity historically. But this is a different team so they'll be able to create whatever identity that they want to.

And because it will be a different team and a much younger team in some key spots, I don't think the multiple defenses will happen early in the season.

I wouldn't define UNC historically as an overly multiple defense, but that's me. For me, I don't really differentiate much between 21 and 22 base man-to-man defense. Then they run and jump situationally. Again, for me, not very multiple. I don't know how you have a multiple defense if zone isn't really part of that equation either. And when they do zone, you know they're zoning because it's on underneath the basket in bounds plays. So the opponent can very easily game plan for that.

UNC switching from 21 to 24 man to man defense and calling that multiple is like saying Syracuse was multiple because they had iterations of the 2-3 zone. If you want to call that multiple, then that's fine. I disagree with the definition.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

1st it is perfectly fine to disagree over the term, "multiple" but a little disingenuous to move the goalpost with the qualifiers "historically" and "overly" multiple on D. I refute this by saying, talk to any player on the court and see if they agree that 21, 21.5, 22, 24, scramble, Icing, switching 1-3 &/or 4-5, etc are not multiple. A team never HAS to use a zone to be multiple but it does have to play hard all game. Full, 3/4, Man, & Zone presses make you multiple too. 1 man picking up the PG full court makes it multiple. Zoning on out of bounds is switching D but within the zone there can be iterations like where/when to trap. BTW: We have lamented ad nauseum that Hubs isn't following the exact path of DES or Roy so expecting him to play D like our past teams is a non-starter. Hard all game is far more important than clearly playing multiple Defenses anyhow! Our D looked very good when they played with intensity in both games. Increase the time of intensity and focus and who cares if they ever switch D!