Quick stuff (Pitt game 2)...

[gary-7]

...and this one should never have been this close, but what else is new?

Let's get ths outta the way: Any usual suspect who wants to come on here and give me sh** for talking about the zebras, lemme just go ahead and give you a preemptive GFY. These scrubs were terrible and were a bug reason this one was ever close. With that said, when we actually DID get to the FT line, we damn near missed our way to a loss.

- so... we jumped out early by actually doing something I've been harping on until I'm Carolina blue in the face --- WE USED THE DAMN POST!... and not just on PnRs. We actually started possessions with a block presence. And whattayaknow, inside-out works. Who'd-a-thunk?...

- Granted, we were collectively rusty at feeding the post on time (hmm... wonder why?), but doing it enabled Lubin to put up a career game for his time here.

- Meanwhile, we also did something that I was about to lose my mind over for missing over and over previously --- we took advantage of up/down mismatches with VERTICAL action.

- This early improved approach looked to be on its way to producing a big lead (and maybe a more comfortable game for a change), but no such luck, as the afrorementioned scrubs took away our PG with one of THE most incompletent calls I've ever seen (but hey, I'm sure there are some on message boards who'll find a way to blame Eliot ) .

- The bad news is we reverted too much to some old offensive habits in the 2nd half play-calling. And far too often we were ending up with RJ having to take bail-out shots. Fortunately today, he made some big ones.

- Defensively, (with the exceptions of leaving stretch shooters on over-help and a few late rotations) on one hand our Man was better today... BUT, there were multiple ops to be multiple. In fact, one of the two times we ran 30 we damn near sealed the game when Drake's deflection gave us a chance for a TO that barely escaped our grasp. At least, it shortened the clock and we got the stop to win it. Please Hubert, USE your arsena!

- Speaking of Drake, he was vital in the win, especially on a day when Ian reverted back to dazed frosh.

- Seth busted his ass on D, including trying to get the rock on that last trap --- and on another day in which we were outsized, Seth led us in rebounds. I just wish he wouldn't always resort to that spin move --- just ball-fake and use those hops!

- It should also be noted that we often were stuck defending drives enabled by forearm shivers and hook-and-hold "screens"

- Finally, back to EC --- to his credit, Hubert didn't let the 3rd foul influence him and sure enough, the little guy was key in carrying us home, as our offense bogged down in his absence. Despite being hit or hacked on nearly every possession, EC created down the stretch, making their goofy Big hafta pick up his jockstrap and then floating that sweet go-ahead dime to Lubin, and then getting the clinching stop. BTW, contrary to whatever UNC's lame-ass stat guy wrote down, EC had 9 dimes for the day.

Anyway, no, this one shouldn't have been this close, but I'll take it, and we did some things I hope we continue (especially the vertical actions) --- just wish we'd use everything we have from here on out...

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

Gary, damn straight correct about the refs, sir. Elliot’s second foul? Did he even touch the Pitt player?
A horrible call puts EC on the bench; our offense clunks around, we give back a lead by going cold.
We have seen this plenty of times this season. Had he fouled him, then OK. But, come on!

 

[NorCalTarheel]

I have said it before, I am not a guy to blame the refs but holy smokes! I typed in the game thread that their baby giraffe fell over his own feet while EC watched and then was whistled for the foul. Ridiculous! I do wonder if we would get more calls if we stop throwing our head back every time someone burps or farts. We look like a bunch of goddamn pez dispensers and to me it looks like we are soft and begging for calls.

This may have been the closest thing to Carolina basketball I have seen this season. We ran and we utilized the post, even though he was usually 6 inches shorter than his opponent.

I thought Seth's defense was the difference throughout the game. He and Drake more than made up for a poor showing by Ian. Imagine if all of our players played well on the same day!

Anyway, a win is a win and I will take it, especially against Pitt.

 

[r_u_worthy]

Thanks G, I wasn’t able to watch the game today but I am glad to hear the vertical O made an appearance. I was hoping hear that being more multiple did as well. I guess that will have to be an ongoing desire. Appreciate the summary as always!

 

[sdingeldein]

I was sitting close to the floor and that was one of the worst officiated games I've seen. They made 3 bad calls in the run that Pitt had to make the game close at halftime.

 

[dtodd4475]

I give Hubert and the staff credit for adjusting the attack after the first Pitt game. They quickly and intentionally attacked the mismatch when Lubin got a guard switched onto him as Pitt is prone to do. Lubin had a field day when with the mismatches.

RJ has been very solid of late, still the only create your own scorer, still being chased and shadowed non stop, but he has been efficient.

Drake was very, very, good. His length and dee was huge, plus the clutch 3's.

Won a game where we were out rebounded, had less 3's, and less free throws made. That's tough to do, but snuck it out. Hustled their behinds off, and needed every bit of it.

Free throws were atrocious, even without the last 2 front ends missed. Lunin looked like he was all nerves prior to his rocket off the back iron.

I like that we did not allow a free straight line run on their last backcourt inbound. Wasn't perfect, but much better than ND and Stanford atrocities in that situation.

Desperate for that win, and eked it out. Gotta string some together now.

 

[ScotlandcountyHeel]

I watched game and as always the officiating was terrible. We etched out a win and I'm glad for that. However I didn't see any difference from a f.c.k.d up season. Time for a change. Time for a new coach. Time for a new era.

 

[gary-7]

I like that we did not allow a free straight line run on their last backcourt inbound. Wasn't perfect, but much better than ND and Stanford atrocities in that situation.

100% this ^.

 

[montana_heel]

Good analysis. Drake was very very good today. Seth was very good as well.

I know JWash doesn't have the moves in the post but shouldn't we at least get it to him just make the defenders look at the post. He isn't required to shoot it just because it gets there.

Interested in others opinions on that subject.

People haven't been riding Cadeau because you like him Gary. It's been done because he isn't fulfilling his role as good as he can or at least as good as we thought he could. Turns out it's not just us if you listen to ex players. Guess we can't chalk it up to us just not being smart enough to know basketball. He can be and at times is a real force.

Hope he is back next year. A taller defensive unit would help him a lot, might as well wish for a top 75 3 point unit shooting team as well.

 

[ScotlandcountyHeel]

Cadeau is a good player. A lot better than me. But he just an average pg compared to other pgs at unc. If he was great we would have a better record. Hubert please recruit unc a pg that can lead us to the promised land. At least to to the NCAA tournament.

 

[gary-7]

Good analysis. Drake was very very good today. Seth was very good as well.

I know JWash doesn't have the moves in the post but shouldn't we at least get it to him just make the defenders look at the post. He isn't required to shoot it just because it gets there.

Interested in others opinions on that subject.

People haven't been riding Cadeau because you like him Gary. It's been done because he isn't fulfilling his role as good as he can or at least as good as we thought he could. Turns out it's not just us if you listen to ex players. Guess we can't chalk it up to us just not being smart enough to know basketball. He can be and at times is a real force.

Hope he is back next year. A taller defensive unit would help him a lot, might as well wish for a top 75 3 point unit shooting team as well.

BS. I know exactly what you're referring to, and if Ray thinks for a second he could do any better with the junk we've been running, well... bless his heart.

Ray was one of my favorite players here but he is WAY off base. And BTW, I talk with more than one former player who also think he is FOS on this...

 

[gary-7]

Cadeau is a good player. A lot better than me. But he just an average pg compared to other pgs at unc. If he was great we would have a better record. Hubert please recruit unc a pg that can lead us to the promised land. At least to to the NCAA tournament.

GMADB. That's as dumb as your last post.

 

[montana_heel]

He isn't the even close to the biggest problem. He can get us there.

I know he wants to go pro, but remember he is pretty young for his class. Work on his three and the court will really be his playground with that. Hopefully he is learning time and score situations during this year. Would like more evidence of this but tough to know with our lack of shooting threats.

 

[ScotlandcountyHeel]

GMADB. That's as dumb as your last post.

Sorry I'm not as intelligent as you Gary. I just gave an honest post . I just don't think cadeau can lead us to a title. Sorry if I offend ur kingship here.

 

[IDUNK4HEELS]

I was trying my best to figure out who as a fan I would give the game ball because there were several heroes to choose from. Cadeau made two tremendous layups and the cross over was just nasty and we cannot forget about all of the dimes he had and how he steady the ship in winnng time.

Lubin had a career game scoring early and often and he fought tooth and nail against all of the giants the Panthers put in the lanes. Carolina would not have been in the game without him today.

Trimble had two monster threes and several other baskets and free throws. I feel the difference in the game happened when Coach Davis asked him to put the clams on Lowe who was having a field game when RJ was trying to cover him.

But if I had to vote on who to give the game ball to it would be Drake Powell. He delivered two big shots from downtown and his intensity on defense was so good that he got more time than Jackson and Withers combined.

RJ Davis just refused to let his team lose today and hit big shots in money time to keep the game close. Lowe did take him to town a ton but he did what he had to do offensively and he did get the winning shot when it counted the most

 

[NathanFielder]

Nice win. Beggars can’t be choosers. Take the win and don’t look back.

I do think it’s important to get Jackson going again. He’s really been MIA for several games now. While it was nice to see Lubin produce when given the opportunity, I’m skeptical that will be the case consistently going forward. So I think it’s important to get Jackson playing well again.

Good to see them come out on top of a close game like this. They certainly didn’t execute and finish well offensively and that recurring issue continues. Gotta hit your FTs obviously. But they showed some toughness and quality on the D end to get it done.

UNC gets Clemson at the right time. Clemson beats Duke and they’re on a high and a short turnaround to UNC. It’s a great spot for UNC to get a key road win. Hopefully Clemson has a bit of a letdown.

 

[montana_heel]

BS. I know exactly what you're referring to, and if Ray thinks for a second he could do any better with the junk we've been running, well... bless his heart.

Ray was one of my favorite players here but he is WAY off base. And BTW, I talk with more than one former player who also think he is FOS on this...

He just isn't having the year we all thought he would. His 3 pt shooting has a lot to do with it. If you don't agree with statement, then I think you are way off.

I don't know all the numbers and names of defense and offense but I know what good ball is and what it looks like. I see hime make simple passes, pass aheads and it is great but when he makes some of the live ball turnovers, I just sit there dumbfounded. Granted, there are not a ton of 3 point threats to create easier lanes for him but his shooting also isn't helping. How many guys really have to fight over screens to stop him from shooting?