Quick stuff (State game)...

[gary-7]

...and great plays pull wins out of the fire.

Granted, for several reasons, the "fire" shouldn't have been quite that hot, but perhaps taking their cookies over there like that is more fun. OK, some stuff:

- Start right here - Keatts set out to ugly this one up with "physical" play from the tip, and with the passive acquiesence of Groover and his crew they did just that. So, question was, were we gonna be tough enough?

- They certainly beat us up on the boards early on, grabbing friggin 12 Offensive Rebs in the 1st half . The saving grace was we kept fighting on D and limited the damage from that deficit to only 4 2nd-chance pts. The other good news was we got tougher on the boards after intermission, limiting them to 4 Offensive --- and those were mostly from half-assed one-handed rebound attempts on our part (Lubin, after getting some grown-man boards in the 1st half, was guilty of the one-handed stuff twice in the 2nd) --- and we actually ended up outrebounding them for the night. Not by much, but given our size situation, I will sure as hell take it!

- Credit where it's due to the wuffies. They played with a level of intensity that said they were trying to make this thing a rivalry again. They also scouted us very well. It drove me crazy that we kept accepting switches that ended up with #8 (Taylor) on our smallest Guards, and he was then able shot over them. They also scouted our fade-screen action and shut it down, but fortunately EC would counter by finding Jackson a click later (after Ian would continue to the corner) on cross-court dimes (those backhanded no-looks are just plain sick, BTW). IIRC, Ian made 5 3s and 4 of them came from improvs off that initial action.

- Our scrappiness (along with them selling out to the offensive glass) rewarded us with some sweet Fast Breaks. Drake executed a perfect "bust-out" and dime early on. Seth ain't quite himself on either end just yet (following what I'm told was a bad concussion), but he took revenge early in the 2nd half with a tough steal and run-out, and JWash triggered a classic Break at a key point in the 2nd half with a man-sized Block (that official number of 3 Blocks seems a but light, TBH).

- Man, there were times I thought we were about to be snake-bit. Hubert called a needed Timeout under 3:00 and the bench drew up a beautiful play that ended with RJ feeding a wide-open Jackson under the basket, and then our best finisher misses the damn bunny --- arrgh!... but alas, those things happen. Before that Eliot had 2 TOs, albeit both of which enabled by zebra whistle-swallowing --- Wash got held by Middlebrooks just as EC let go of the lob pass, and then EC suffered a damn take-down from #10, but of course, no whistles.

- Fortunately, those two guys stepped up in crunch-time with a Batman-and-Robin act on both ends:

One final note on the last play --- when State called timeout to set up their last play, I said out loud, "I'll bet he's gonna try to get that switch again to get EC or RJ picking up Taylor". Welp, sure enough. But, not only was JWash there to protect the rim, EC defended it spot-on moving his feet without fouling. Truth be known, I doubt if that shot would've even gotten over the rim, but JWash mooted that question (and hey, got to taunt the wuffie fans a bit to boot)!

Anyway, I'll refrain from complaining about the things we should be doing (fixing the Secondary, ditching the 5-out, et al) and just enjoy a HARD-FOUGHT win over a determined opponent in a notoriously hostile environment. Good on ya, fellas!...

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

Great analysis and recap, Gary. We got to ride a happy bus down l-40 tonight.
Wouldn’t it be great if this game lights a fire under Jalen? He made clutch plays on both ends
just when things were looking dicey to seal the deal. Proud and happy for him.
Question: Was l seeing things or did Dontrez take a step or two up the sideline on that spot throw-in
along the sideline? WTH?

GDTBATH ❤️⛹🏾‍♂️🏀

 

[gary-7]

Great analysis and recap, Gary. We got to ride a happy bus down l-40 tonight.
Wouldn’t it be great if this game lights a fire under Jalen? He made clutch plays on both ends
just when things were looking dicey to seal the deal. Proud and happy for him.
Question: Was l seeing things or did Dontrez take a step or two up the sideline on that spot throw-in
along the sideline? WTH?

GDTBATH ❤️⛹🏾‍♂️🏀

DUDE... OMG YES! Thanks for reminding me. Both my buddy and I almost stood up out of our chairs. We said in unison "HE'S WALKING!!!" Sheesh.

 

[al would]

Anyway, I'll refrain from complaining about the things we should be doing ( ditching the 5-out, et al)

Which has been my biggest beotch the entire season.

It's amazing what a pg can do when you actually let them be a pg and a lot of that starts with a big (JWash) actually showing a presence in the post. He had a really nice game on both ends of the floor and I was glad he actually took a three even though it didn't go in .. that's a step in the right direction.

And to those doubting Washe's value on defense around the lane .. just stop. 12 boards, 3 blocks, and only 2 fouls the entire game and with an active lane presence the wuffies took notice. He will struggle at times with the beefier bigs but he's learning how to use his length and athleticism to his advantage .. remember he's a natural 4 not 5.

Officiating in the NCAA has now become like NC weather. You never know what y gonna get till you've already got it and those clowns reffing the game tonight must be fresh from the Big 10 football conference.. or an Aussie rugby league. They should have had yellow flags in their pockets to go along with the whistles they had a hard time finding but they were equally bad for both for the most part and that's as fair as it's gonna get.

An ugly win is still a win and anytime you can win at the other teams place you should be thankful. UNC still has a lot of work to do but the defense has become more active and actually letting EC be a pg for a change is a step in the right direction. GO HEELS

 

[gary-7]

Which has been my biggest beotch the entire season.

It's amazing what a pg can do when you actually let them be a pg and a lot of that starts with a big (JWash) actually showing a presence in the post. He had a really nice game on both ends of the floor and I was glad he actually took a three even though it didn't go in .. that's a step in the right direction.

A big amen to all that, brother!

BTW, ain't it amazingly ironic that the ROAD stat guy actually got the right numbers. They corrected the official box post facto. EC indeed had 11 dimes tonight.

 

[gteeitup]

why walk off with that shitty pack down sign…just walk off like you own them, like you do…pleased that the team played hard and was tough and it’s something to build on, again.

and keep these uniforms…i’m 52 and will never get tired of the “retros”.

 

[notashelbyfan]

JWash was the key today he played big boy basketball. That's what we need from him, every game.

 

[notashelbyfan]

why walk off with that shitty pack down sign…just walk off like you own them, like you do…pleased that the team played hard and was tough and it’s something to build on, again.

and keep these uniforms…i’m 52 and will never get tired of the “retros”.

Greatest uniforms in sports!

 

[gteeitup]

Greatest uniforms in sports!

agree…have no idea why those and the home whites aren’t in the rotation or the regs…f that argyle.

 

[gary-7]

why walk off with that shitty pack down sign…just walk off like you own them, like you do…pleased that the team played hard and was tough and it’s something to build on, again.

and keep these uniforms…i’m 52 and will never get tired of the “retros”.

100% agree on the unis, and normally as an ol coach I frown on engaging road crowds, BUT... as Joel once put it, our players hear things from that vile State crowd that no civilized person should ever have to expect.

In other words, f*** em and feed em beans

 

[tarwhiz]

A big amen to all that, brother!

BTW, ain't it amazingly ironic that the ROAD stat guy actually got the right numbers. They corrected the official box post facto. EC indeed had 11 dimes tonight.

He would have had 14 or 15 if catches and finishes were made throughout the game.
Cadeau had a terrific bounce back game after not playing well on Tuesday.
He controlled this game on offense.

 

[gary-7]

He would have had 14 or 15 if catches and finishes were made throughout the game.
Cadeau had a terrific bounce back game after not playing well on Tuesday.
He controlled this game on offense.

Correct. He had 8 potentials not converted and 3 "coach's" that drew fouls.
But moreover, as @al would said, the real difference is when we let our elite PG actually be a PG.

 

[dtodd4475]

That was an ugly rock fight, but we had the last rock. I thought they out scrapped us early, getting almost every loose ball. We toughened up and equalled that want to loose ball effort later. Credit to State they went at every 50/50 ball 100%.

I liked how Hubert played down the stretch, EC sat and I thought that was wise, but when the one got to have a bucket possession at 41 second when the creator was needed, I said get Elliot back now, and he did just that. I thought Hubert directed the final 3-4 minutes well.

Jalen is a rim protecter if he can be that help side long arm eraser, I sure hope this game helps him in confidence, still so passive, but if his balls finally dropped on this level he can be a difference maker, get at it young fella, you belong.

Ian and RJ are the dawgs, but they are the same position scoring threat, it's not an ideal roster, but I do believe the pecking order, albeit a tiny one, is set for how they will roll. Drake is getting 30 plus minutes with them.

Hey, ugly wins count the same as pretty ones. We fought tooth and nail and got a win on the road in a rock fight. GDTBATH

 

[big_deez]

Gary, great analysis, definitely a hard fought win. Great to see JWash playing well and having fun. Really wish he would have hit that three, hope he keeps shooting.

 

[gkss]

...and great plays pull wins out of the fire.

Granted, for several reasons, the "fire" shouldn't have been quite that hot, but perhaps taking their cookies over there like that is more fun. OK, some stuff:

- Start right here - Keatts set out to ugly this one up with "physical" play from the tip, and with the passive acquiesence of Groover and his crew they did just that. So, question was, were we gonna be tough enough?

- They certainly beat us up on the boards early on, grabbing friggin 12 Offensive Rebs in the 1st half . The saving grace was we kept fighting on D and limited the damage from that deficit to only 4 2nd-chance pts. The other good news was we got tougher on the boards after intermission, limiting them to 4 Offensive --- and those were mostly from half-assed one-handed rebound attempts on our part (Lubin, after getting some grown-man boards in the 1st half, was guilty of the one-handed stuff twice in the 2nd) --- and we actually ended up outrebounding them for the night. Not by much, but given our size situation, I will sure as hell take it!

- Credit where it's due to the wuffies. They played with a level of intensity that said they were trying to make this thing a rivalry again. They also scouted us very well. It drove me crazy that we kept accepting switches that ended up with #8 (Taylor) on our smallest Guards, and he was then able shot over them. They also scouted our fade-screen action and shut it down, but fortunately EC would counter by finding Jackson a click later (after Ian would continue to the corner) on cross-court dimes (those backhanded no-looks are just plain sick, BTW). IIRC, Ian made 5 3s and 4 of them came from improvs off that initial action.

- Our scrappiness (along with them selling out to the offensive glass) rewarded us with some sweet Fast Breaks. Drake executed a perfect "bust-out" and dime early on. Seth ain't quite himself on either end just yet (following what I'm told was a bad concussion), but he took revenge early in the 2nd half with a tough steal and run-out, and JWash triggered a classic Break at a key point in the 2nd half with a man-sized Block (that official number of 3 Blocks seems a but light, TBH).

- Man, there were times I thought we were about to be snake-bit. Hubert called a needed Timeout under 3:00 and the bench drew up a beautiful play that ended with RJ feeding a wide-open Jackson under the basket, and then our best finisher misses the damn bunny --- arrgh!... but alas, those things happen. Before that Eliot had 2 TOs, albeit both of which enabled by zebra whistle-swallowing --- Wash got held by Middlebrooks just as EC let go of the lob pass, and then EC suffered a damn take-down from #10, but of course, no whistles.

- Fortunately, those two guys stepped up in crunch-time with a Batman-and-Robin act on both ends:

View embedded media

One final note on the last play --- when State called timeout to set up their last play, I said out loud, "I'll bet he's gonna try to get that switch again to get EC or RJ picking up Taylor". Welp, sure enough. But, not only was JWash there to protect the rim, EC defended it spot-on moving his feet without fouling. Truth be known, I doubt if that shot would've even gotten over the rim, but JWash mooted that question (and hey, got to taunt the wuffie fans a bit to boot)!

Anyway, I'll refrain from complaining about the things we should be doing (fixing the Secondary, ditching the 5-out, et al) and just enjoy a HARD-FOUGHT win over a determined opponent in a notoriously hostile environment. Good on ya, fellas!...

Good breakdown as usual, gary-7. For me this team fights for each other and continues to get better. The increased presence of Jalen, and Lubin is big. Shout out to JWash! Big fella with good catch and flush! Then threw out that weak mess NCState put up! Cadeau’s wanted the ball in crunch time and delivered to Jalen! Jackson is becoming a player with confidence and he can flat out play! A concern I have is that when we stall offensively and we dribble at the top of the key, we look lost. Also, I want us to get more easy buckets-cue up secondary break? Staff has got to continue to push the right buttons to maximize our roster-inside/out offensively, vertical attack, secondary break, intensity and help defense. Trap some. More offensive rebounds and tip outs! Just some of my thoughts. As always, Go Heels!!

 

[gary-7]

Gary, great analysis, definitely a hard fought win. Great to see JWash playing well and having fun. Really wish he would have hit that three, hope he keeps shooting.

Precisely.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

and keep these uniforms…i’m 52 and will never get tired of the “retros”.

Yep.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

What a great game. Ugly and hard fought by both sides. Close win, but no asterisks. Love it.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Is Tyson injured or has Hubert given up on him? Something else?

 

[alabamaheel]

That was an ugly rock fight, but we had the last rock. I thought they out scrapped us early, getting almost every loose ball. We toughened up and equalled that want to loose ball effort later. Credit to State they went at every 50/50 ball 100%.

I liked how Hubert played down the stretch, EC sat and I thought that was wise, but when the one got to have a bucket possession at 41 second when the creator was needed, I said get Elliot back now, and he did just that. I thought Hubert directed the final 3-4 minutes well.

Jalen is a rim protecter if he can be that help side long arm eraser, I sure hope this game helps him in confidence, still so passive, but if his balls finally dropped on this level he can be a difference maker, get at it young fella, you belong.

Ian and RJ are the dawgs, but they are the same position scoring threat, it's not an ideal roster, but I do believe the pecking order, albeit a tiny one, is set for how they will roll. Drake is getting 30 plus minutes with them.

Hey, ugly wins count the same as pretty ones. We fought tooth and nail and got a win on the road in a rock fight. GDTBATH

I see Wash “get it” a little more and more each game. I usually hate the roaring heads at the end of the game, but I truly believe that’s what he needed after that ending, some in your face, get you some.
I wish Lublin could catch the ball consistently. He had a couple of impressive grabs yesterday but couldn’t bring in several that were so easy. It seems as if his anticipation is a little behind.

 

[DSouthr]

I watched this game and followed the game thread and some of the comments reminds me yet again why I don't like to post much during or right after a game, get a bit emotional at times and I like to chill out before I comment. I do want to take a moment and gives thanks to ID for the work he gives us on these game threads, kudos and thank you ID!!!

Much of my thoughts on this game have been expressed well by you guys so in the above comments I agree with most of it. So I am going to try to not repeat much of what you guys have already said. I will share a few hot takes I came away with.

1) IT is a particular pleasure for me to see JWash FINALLY stepping up that needs to increase from him and it has to be consistent, he has to stay assertive. Well known, I have driven his band wagon since his day 1 on campus because I see his potential, so glad others are noow climbing on board. Have been VERY clear, I want Jalen taking jump shots, I want that aspect of his game to show consistently, I want to see post game box scores with him getting at least 10 shots a game.

2) It is interesting that at the end, in the last 2 games, it has come down to 2 of our players that have each been crushed by negativity by this fan base, uinfairly much of the time, fair at times as well. But in the game before it was Cadeau that made 2 very late mega plays that won the game for us, in this game it was Jalen making 2 mega plays that won this game for us and in both cases one was a defensive play and the other a offensive play, both ends of the court represented by both of those kids. IN the face of all that negativity, it is nice to see them BOTH step way up. It was not lost on me that Cadeau not only made that sweet pass to Jalen but he was the defender on the other end where Jalen was able to come from the off side for that huge block that sealed it. How many times have we read comments of how both those guys were not starter level guys for us? Cadeau (who went in to the half with ZERO fouls) with 9 assists for the game and Jalen with 11 pts, 12 boards, and 3 official blocks but I thought it was 4.

3) Hubert Davis, I have been hard on Hubert this season and I don't retract a single word I have said, it is just me calling the balls and strikes as I see them. I have been VERY disappointed at much of what I have seen this season. But these last 2 games and especially yesterday I like most of what I see, Hubert has made solid decisions in these last 2. The next level for this team is and has been getting Jalen more involved in the offense and his playing defense, last 2 games some of that has been done, some beat the heck out of none. Yesterday, liked Hubert's sub patterns and decisions.

4) Seth, yeah, you guys saw it, Seth is not all the way back from that concussion. Depending on how bad a concussion is, this one was really severe from what I heard and you had to know it was when he missed that second game. Some of these severe ones even when the head aches and the blurred vision leaves you still have a lack of energy, as if your legs are dead, I think we all saw that these last 2 games. Typically this takes at least a couple weeks and many times even longer to recover from, we will just have to see with Seth. So have patience with him, her will get his game back, just may take a minute.

5) JWit, one aspect of yesterday's game I did not agree with is I felt JWit needed more minutes, we are going to need our most athletic 6'8" front court player, I just do not want to see him rely on deep corner treys, I want him cutting hard thru the lane looking to catch and finish at the rim.

6) Lubin, while great he had 9 boards, if he had just secured the boards he had his hands on he may have had 20 boards. Has a habit of bringing the ball down low on a rebound, gets stripped or tied up and face it, just not the best set of hands you will see.

7) The refs, now not going to blame the refs for how close this was, players have to adjust to the game call of the refs. But we have played so many games this season that were called tight, breath on a guy and the whistle sounds, a lot of assumed foul calls ect. Yesterday the refs "let em play", that is what we say when the refs allow a VERY physical game. Felt like they called it same for both sides but that played in to what the wuffs wanted to do, ugly the game up. This became a SEC or BIG10 type physical game, took us a bit early on to adjust to that. I actually do not mind a physical game as long as the refs called it the same on both ends and I do think they did.

8) RJ, I like that the last 2 games RJ has taken a step back from playing like he has to be the hero and more like he is a role player, what was it, 13 shots or so, that I like, can only recall 2 shots I did not like from him, much better than earlier on. He seems to be deferring to Jack at times and I very much like that. If y99ou recall, a major aspect of what got us on that roll that ended up our playing in that last natty game was RJ taking a small step back and he seems now to be doing that same thing, good on him. Let the game come to you and if your best offering is being a decoy that draws away heat from your mates then play that valuable role.

9) Ian "captain Jack" Jackson !!! Kid is simply blowing my mind, he is a freakin freshman, freshmen are not supposed to be that cool under pressure. At times it looks as if this whole team is to much in to their own head but Jack, kid is just playing ball no matter who is in front of him, no matter the stakes of the game. Jack just plays with JOY and he infects his mates with that same joy. BOTH he and Drake bring this team so much, I would love to dream of having them both back as sophs but I know that isn't likely, a man can dream thou! Enjoy them while we have them guys!

10) ANYTIME UNC beats wuff pack U, especially at their flea infested kennal, it is a GOOD DAY, yesterday was a GOOD DAY!

 

[Kool1234567]

JWash with what 12 blocks the last 3 games…RJ playing under control and Ian and Drake both just studs…EC played well still having a moment or two but overall I will take it…Most of the road games are going to be tough….

And of course always good to beat those west Raleigh assholes…

 

[DSouthr]

Is Tyson injured or has Hubert given up on him? Something else?

DNP coach's decision, what IMO was a good decision. I am noty nearly as sold on Tyson or Claude as most seem to be, I am fine with a few limited minutes for James Brown more than minutes for either Tyson or Claude. I realize most will not agree with that, just sharing my opinion.

 

[DSouthr]

Want to add one more thing, so much has been said about their defense, rightfully so BTW, but they held those wuffs to 20 total point in that first half even giving up so many first half boards to them. That defines as solid defense by any definition. You don't do that with out strong effort, those kids put in work, this isn't lazy team, they put in hard work every game, they just do suffer being so small.

 

[DSouthr]

Good breakdown as usual, gary-7. For me this team fights for each other and continues to get better. The increased presence of Jalen, and Lubin is big. Shout out to JWash! Big fella with good catch and flush! Then threw out that weak mess NCState put up! Cadeau’s wanted the ball in crunch time and delivered to Jalen! Jackson is becoming a player with confidence and he can flat out play! A concern I have is that when we stall offensively and we dribble at the top of the key, we look lost. Also, I want us to get more easy buckets-cue up secondary break? Staff has got to continue to push the right buttons to maximize our roster-inside/out offensively, vertical attack, secondary break, intensity and help defense. Trap some. More offensive rebounds and tip outs! Just some of my thoughts. As always, Go Heels!!

Yeah, major point that I forgot to mention, on those screens up top, dang it we have to set that screen much closer to the key than half court. You have Cadeau and RJ in together and we are setting high screens near half court, WTF? That is just not smart and we do it over and over and over?

 

[big_deez]

I see Wash “get it” a little more and more each game. I usually hate the roaring heads at the end of the game, but I truly believe that’s what he needed after that ending, some in your face, get you some.
I wish Lublin could catch the ball consistently. He had a couple of impressive grabs yesterday but couldn’t bring in several that were so easy. It seems as if his anticipation is a little behind.

Did you see JWash taunt the WolfPecker bench? Lmao, one of their players replied FU. If I recall he said it twice. Did anyone else see that directly after the game? Great timing of the camera and live coverage for everyone to see, added even more value after the win.

 

[Mrs.Jeans15]

Did you see JWash taunt the WolfPecker bench? Lmao, one of their players replied FU. If I recall he said it twice. Did anyone else see that directly after the game? Great timing of the camera and live coverage for everyone to see, added even more value after the win.

Yep. Actually liked it.

JWash needs to build confidence however he can.

Just wait til he calms down enough to hit that 3 at the top of the key like last year.

 

[al would]

That defines as solid defense by any definition.

Very true D. For the last couple games the guys have been putting forth much better defensive effort and we could have easily lost without it. Very scrappy against the wuf peckers and we don't win without that effort. JWash continues to grow and impress on that side of the game.

 

[gary-7]

Is Tyson injured or has Hubert given up on him? Something else?

I'll use this to make a few of additional observations:
1. I totally disagree with not playing Tyson. There is a role for him and he can help. That needs to be managed better.

2. Let's do a reality-check about Cadeau: I've now rewatched this full game twice with my notepad in hand. So... we made 26 total FGs for the game and EC assisted on 11 *and thankfully that has now been corrected in the box score. https://goheels.com/documents/2025/1/12/17box-atNCSU.PDF

That means he assisted on or scored half of our FGs, and had 11 of the team's total of 17. Moreover, into the early second half, he had assisted on 9 out of our first 14 FGs. And BTW, there were an additional 9 potentials for the game that weren't converted.

What this tells you is that (unlike some previous games) we actually used him more in the manner befitting the elite PG that he is. And on the whole, he also had a very good defensive outing in both Man-up and Help. The one notable mistake was overhelping RJ and leaving O'Connell too open for a 3. Frankly, he spent too much time on the bench in the 2nd half and it damn near cost us.

As for his consecutuve TOs, let the record show that neither of those was his fault. As was obvious live, and even more so on replay (and several screenshots posted on social media since), the first was the result of a blatant hook, hold and yank on Wash as he was moving to an easy front seal in front of the rim, and for the second one, hell (for you old-school WCW fans), Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat couldn't have executed a better arm-drag takedown --- while a certain zebra (cough, cough, Groover cough) swallowed what should've been his call. So, while it was probably a good idea to take EC out to cool down emotionally, we left him on the bench entirely too long before he and Wash came to the rescue at the end.

3. It is quite ironic that we scored our first basket on Secondary action. Why did it happen?... because Wash arrived on a rim-run for a lay-up. Why was it ironic?... because we got almost nothing (1 pull-up and 1 drive) on the Secondary for the enitre game after that. And this was because, well... no more rim-runs by 4/5 men. In the name of Dean E. Smith, PLEASE go back to this!

 

[DSouthr]

Yep. Actually liked it.

JWash needs to build confidence however he can.

Just wait til he calms down enough to hit that 3 at the top of the key like last year.

It has seemed to me that Jalen, when he has been in the game has been an after thought, as if he is the 5th option to score. As if the guards dominated the ball but never seemed to look for Jalen outside of his driving toward the basket, no jumpers. Better the last couple games but still to few jumpers. I think being the 5th option to score had him playing like he was not an option. His whole game degraded, heck he went near a month setting "ghost screens" not even making contact.

When you are not able to play to the best part of your skill set you begin to feel like you are not "bought in", like you are Robin rather than Batman. Guards ignored him, he became really "soft" and his defense has always been a work in progress. I don't know if it was the staff, or his guards, or just Jalen or a combination of all 3 but the kid was just playing like he had no confidence at all. Amazing when he is so vital for this team. He is the 1 guy on this team that can actually clear out the lane for our guards to drive thru and we were not using that huge advantage?

Jalen simply has to go in to every game with the belief that he has to be just as much an option to score as RJ, or Jack, or Cadeau. He has to find and embrace the alfa scorer he can actually be and when he does he opens everything up for his mates. When he doesn't the lane stays clogged up and all drives are contested by shot blockers.

 

[gary-7]

Very true D. For the last couple games the guys have been putting forth much better defensive effort and we could have easily lost without it. Very scrappy against the wuf peckers and we don't win without that effort. JWash continues to grow and impress on that side of the game.

Definitely worth a shout-out. Yes, the team-wide EFFORT has been notably up over the last two.

 

[gary-7]

It has seemed to me that Jalen, when he has been in the game has been an after thought, as if he is the 5th option to score. As if the guards dominated the ball but never seemed to look for Jalen outside of his driving toward the basket, no jumpers. Better the last couple games but still to few jumpers. I think being the 5th option to score had him playing like he was not an option. His whole game degraded, heck he went near a month setting "ghost screens" not even making contact.

When you are not able to play to the best part of your skill set you begin to feel like you are not "bought in", like you are Robin rather than Batman. Guards ignored him, he became really "soft" and his defense has always been a work in progress. I don't know if it was the staff, or his guards, or just Jalen or a combination of all 3 but the kid was just playing like he had no confidence at all. Amazing when he is so vital for this team. He is the 1 guy on this team that can actually clear out the lane for our guards to drive thru and we were not using that huge advantage?

Jalen simply has to go in to every game with the belief that he has to be just as much an option to score as RJ, or Jack, or Cadeau. He has to find and embrace the alfa scorer he can actually be and when he does he opens everything up for his mates. When he doesn't the lane stays clogged up and all drives are contested by shot blockers.

Amen, D. There was a dish to him in the first half when he was isoed on Middlebrooks in the mid-post with zero help coming and I yelled at the TV "SHOOT IT!". He didn't. Then later in the half EC dished to him coming out of the short-corner and I (and likely hundreds of Heel fans) yelled the same thing. This time he did and made it..

I mean, it's cool to make pass-outs to open shooters, but option #1 for him shouild be SHOOT the damn rock.

 

[DSouthr]

I'll use this to make a few of additional observations:
1. I totally disagree with not playing Tyson. There is a role for him and he can help. That needs to be managed better.

2. Let's do a reality-check about Cadeau: I've now rewatched this full game twice with my notepad in hand. So... we made 26 total FGs for the game and EC assisted on 11 *and thankfully that has now been corrected in the box score. https://goheels.com/documents/2025/1/12/17box-atNCSU.PDF

That means he assisted on or scored half of our FGs, and had 11 of the team's total of 17. Moreover, into the early second half, he had assisted on 9 out of our first 14 FGs. And BTW, there were an additional 9 potentials for the game that weren't converted.

What this tells you is that (unlike some previous games) we actually used him more in the manner befitting the elite PG that he is. And on the whole, he also had a very good defensive outing in both Man-up and Help. The one notable mistake was overhelping RJ and leaving O'Connell too open for a 3. Frankly, he spent too much time on the bench in the 2nd half and it damn near cost us.

As for his consecutuve TOs, let the record show that neither of those was his fault. As was obvious live, and even more so on replay (and several screenshots posted on social media since), the first was the result of a blatant hook, hold and yank on Wash as he was moving to an easy front seal in front of the rim, and for the second one, hell (for you old-school WCW fans), Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat couldn't have executed a better arm-drag takedown --- while a certain zebra (cough, cough, Groover cough) swallowed what should've been his call. So, while it was probably a good idea to take EC out to cool down emotionally, we left him on the bench entirely too long before he and Wash came to the rescue at the end.

3. It is quite ironic that we scored our first basket on Secondary action. Why did it happen?... because Wash arrived on a rim-run for a lay-up. Why was it ironic?... because we got almost nothing (1 pull-up and 1 drive) on the Secondary for the enitre game after that. And this was because, well... no more rim-runs by 4/5 men. In the name of Dean E. Smith, PLEASE go back to this!

ON Tyson, we are just going to disagree, at least to an extent. It isn't that I don't feel Tyson can play, it is more that I don't have him as near the priority that I see this team needing to really foster. He can help us in the right match-up, I think he is a + jump shooter, I don't think he is a big time jump shooter, I see him as a half step slow and not real physical for a guy playing the 4 spot. For a reported shooter his shot prep on the catch is slow, fine when he is wide open but under pressure not so much. I do think he does a decent job blocking out and get some boards, makes him for me a situational guy more than a regular rotation guy, in other words way more Paxon than Manek.

Just my opinion, clearly you see that different than I do, but opinions do not have to agree all the time. It isn't about who is right and who is wrong for me, it is about simply what I, me, myself can see while others simply see from a different set of eyes.

 

[DSouthr]

Amen, D. There was a dish to him in the first half when he was isoed on Middlebrooks in the mid-post with zero help coming and I yelled at the TV "SHOOT IT!". He didn't. Then later in the half EC dished to him coming out of the short-corner and I (and likely hundreds of Heel fans) yelled the same thing. This time he did and made it..

I mean, it's cool to make pass-outs to open shooters, but option #1 for him shouild be SHOOT the damn rock.

YEP, I know the exact play, screamed the same darn thing and may have used some colorful language! LOL And on that one he took and made, I think maybe they heard me scream in Raleigh all the way from Santee SC! LOL

OMG, what a pass from Josh Allen! Sorry for the football reference, multi-tasking!