Quick stuff (VaTech game 2)...

[gary-7]

...and thanks, we (and I) needed that.

This will be fairly brief:

- Despite ESPN's buffoonery, we finally got to watch a ball game. I mean, I'm all for featuring HBCs sometimes, but if you're gonna make an extended production of a 2 pm game, then move the next game to 4:30, huh? Pretty simple.

- Ironically, I watched our best run of the game in the first half on a Sling delay (whilst watching it live on another TV) as our game was finally making ESPNEWS (like watching in a time-warp), so I at least got to see that --- and that turned out to be the working margin we'd fight to maintain the rest of the way. The best news of the day was we managed to do just that.

- Not that everyone seems to notice, but we've messed around and become a pretty good-shooting team (perhaps Hubert and Jeff are getting some results?), and Tech is a good-shootng team, but all that went in spells today. Our biggest negatives today were the spells of self-inflicted stuff, including most of our TOs and myriad missed easy shots. This, to my trained eye, once again is a product of fatigue as the "under" TOs approached. I would've liked to have seen Hunert repeat his first-half sub pattern in the second. Fortunately, Tech had the same issue.

- Some HUGE hustle plays by Leaky after the under-8 saved two key possessions, and how about that FT shooting? Seems we've messed around and gotten good at that as well. Also, some sweet designed plays --- didn't always convert, but also credit Tech for adjusting to our motion patterns. We need to be mindful of that during execution. Don't make the pass when the under-double is coming --- someone else has to be open!

- Finally, I like the way we adjusted to the flow. The refs were allowing contact but to their credit they were mostly consistent, and guys can adjust in that situation, and we did. It also helped us down the stretch when Tech had to give fouls to get us to the bonus.

Anyway, make no mistake, in total contrast to Weds, this was a good, good win. Now, it;s time to get back to taking care of business in the Dome...

 

[dtodd4475]

HUGE WIN! Solid 1st half, RJ getting out of his mini funk and getting us going along with Caleb solid play pushed us to playing from the lead after Brady was the only bucket getter early on.

Made a concerted effort to get Mando going early in the 2nd half, and he was a force swatting shots in the lane. Got sloppy with protecting the rock in the 2nd half, which made that cushion all the more vital. Two turnovers by Leaky in quick succession hurt, as he was rock solid making key "hustle" and intangible pressure release points in the half court.

With 8:30 minutes or so left they were in the bonus, only down 5, with momentum and the crowd rocking. We did a good job of defending without fouling and quelled the tide. Then our magnificent foul shooting throughout this year brought us home.

Running clock with a lead we still struggle to have that lead guard who creates under 10 on the shot clock though.

Deep stretch, they trapped in the half once, we shredded it for a big uncontested jumper. After a inbounding timeout, we adjusted and got Caleb the rock 3 straight times resulting in 6 for 6. HUGE, as we were in the 1 and 1 for all 3 where a missed front end is a de facto turnover.

HUGE WIN! Quick turnaround for Louisville Monday. They are all big at this point with where we sit.

 

[Kerwinwaltonsafro]

Manek was exhausted 4 minutes into the 2nd half. Hubert ignored the tired signal and played him until there was only 40 seconds left in the game. As a result there were several possessions where Manek didn't even attempt to get out on his man, and that man shot wide open 3s (which he thankfully missed.) Manek also was short on most of his 2nd half shots.

For the first 19:20 of the 2nd half Hubert only made one substitution, Dontrez Styles for RJ Davis. Our starters were tired. All those bad offensive possessions, long shots as the shot clock expired, turnovers, wide open VT shooters, all that really bad basketball we watched for long stretches of the 2nd half; that was the result of tired players.

Hubert's one big mistake in this game was not getting subs in when we were up 14 points in the 2nd half. He just kept riding the starters no matter how tired they were or how bad we were playing. Had VT hit a couple of those wide open shots, we would have been in big trouble. Bc our starters were too tired to execute well down the stretch.

 

[JimmyinVA]

good win (redundant term)

 

[Tarheel75]

Thanks for the write-up Gary.

I was in the barn or as it's called "Cassell Auditorium" and I thought that the VT crowd to be loud, boisterous, potty mouthed, and somewhat vile at times, or in other words typical for those guys. I can't be definitive about this, but I am personally convinced that the VT crowd cost their team several calls due to their constant and bitter beratement of the officials. They actually booed every single call that was made the entire game. I cannot remember ever experiencing this before, even in Cameron.

I don't have very much to add to the discussion here on this game other than to praise Leaky's defensive efforts during this game. VT is 1st in the League in 3-point shooting and we held them to 19% on 3's. There were times that we did not cover the 3-point shooter and they had a wide-open shot and missed. Know why? They were more gassed than we were, and we made them work for most all the points that they did get.

Still there was enough of the same ole-same ole in the team's play that leaves you deflated at times. We showed resilience and determination enough to win a tough game in a very tough environment, an environment that may just be worse that what they will encounter in Durham in the last League game. Well, we won, and that's always the bottom line, right? This was a Q1 game, and I saw where Michigan is now in the NET 20's so we now have 2 Q1 wins if Michigan can maintain their NET ranking until seasons end, the VT win will stay as a Q1 no matter how they finish, I have been told. So, that will help us on selection day and maybe keep us somewhere around a 9-12 seed. This will all depend on how we finish out.

 

[gobblercalls]

Just curious. Why does this team never try to draw charges? I saw several opportunities yesterday to draw some and those opportunities were not exploited. Bacot and Manek could draw numerous charges per game the way they are backed down. I guess our guards are too slow to get into position most of the time, but just wondering why we never try. A turnover is a turnover in my book.

 

[Kerwinwaltonsafro]

VT is 1st in the League in 3-point shooting and we held them to 19% on 3's. There were times that we did not cover the 3-point shooter and they had a wide-open shot and missed. Know why? They were more gassed than we were, and we made them work for most all the points that they did get.

We didn't hold them to anything. Most of their 3pt attempts were wide open. Their misses had nothing to do with fatigue. They were missing wide open shots at the beginning of each half. They were definitely not more gassed than we were. Their top 3 bench players got 19 mins, 16 mins, and 11 mins. Mike Young kept pretty much everyone fresh by actually using his bench. They simply had a bad shooting night.

Our players on the other hand were exhausted. Only 1 sub for the first 19:20 of the 2nd half. Our defense suffered, giving up tons of open looks. Our offense suffered, we walked the ball up court, dribbled down the clock, and heaved long shots to beat the shot clock. Manek basically stopped getting out on his man at the 3pt line the entire second half, and most of his 2nd half shots were short. Love was dynamic in the first half, and completely stopped running the offense when fatigue set in during the 2nd half. Luckily he still had enough legs to make his free throws (unlike Manek.)

 

[Kerwinwaltonsafro]

Just curious. Why does this team never try to draw charges? I saw several opportunities yesterday to draw some and those opportunities were not exploited. Bacot and Manek could draw numerous charges per game the way they are backed down. I guess our guards are too slow to get into position most of the time, but just wondering why we never try. A turnover is a turnover in my book.

Hubert Davis, when asked a few weeks ago about UNC being near last in the country in forced turnovers, said he doesn't care about those numbers.

Basically Hubert doesn't teach or coach anything that involves forcing turnovers. Add it to the list of things Hubert has eliminated like the fast break, the secondary break, and using the bench.

 

[39 Feet Above Sea Level]

^ Of course you know more than someone who actually attended the game; someone who
ACTUALLY PLAYED BASKETBALL AT CAROLINA.

 

[Tarheel75]

We didn't hold them to anything. Most of their 3pt attempts were wide open. Their misses had nothing to do with fatigue. They were missing wide open shots at the beginning of each half. They were definitely not more gassed than we were. Their top 3 bench players got 19 mins, 16 mins, and 11 mins. Mike Young kept pretty much everyone fresh by actually using his bench. They simply had a bad shooting night.

Our players on the other hand were exhausted. Only 1 sub for the first 19:20 of the 2nd half. Our defense suffered, giving up tons of open looks. Our offense suffered, we walked the ball up court, dribbled down the clock, and heaved long shots to beat the shot clock. Manek basically stopped getting out on his man at the 3pt line the entire second half, and most of his 2nd half shots were short. Love was dynamic in the first half, and completely stopped running the offense when fatigue set in during the 2nd half. Luckily he still had enough legs to make his free throws (unlike Manek.)

Were you in attendance? I was. And they were gassed, most likely the reason they were subbed for so many times. We have a signal to be taken out of the game (closed fist), and I only saw those 2 times. Was Manek gassed when he held off Mutts and forced a travel on him late in that game? I saw everything up close and personal as the saying goes, and while our players were tired the VT players were more so.

 

[TarHeelMark]

They actually booed every single call that was made the entire game. I cannot remember ever experiencing this before, even in Cameron.

well those idiots only do what their cheer sheet tells them to do, so....

 

[tcb22]

^ Of course you know more than someone who actually attended the game; someone who
ACTUALLY PLAYED BASKETBALL AT CAROLINA.

You beat me to it! Some people know only one drum beat to play over and over.

 

[Grover Thomas]

Manek was exhausted 4 minutes into the 2nd half. Hubert ignored the tired signal and played him until there was only 40 seconds left in the game. As a result there were several possessions where Manek didn't even attempt to get out on his man, and that man shot wide open 3s (which he thankfully missed.) Manek also was short on most of his 2nd half shots.

For the first 19:20 of the 2nd half Hubert only made one substitution, Dontrez Styles for RJ Davis. Our starters were tired. All those bad offensive possessions, long shots as the shot clock expired, turnovers, wide open VT shooters, all that really bad basketball we watched for long stretches of the 2nd half; that was the result of tired players.

Hubert's one big mistake in this game was not getting subs in when we were up 14 points in the 2nd half. He just kept riding the starters no matter how tired they were or how bad we were playing. Had VT hit a couple of those wide open shots, we would have been in big trouble. Bc our starters were too tired to execute well down the stretch.

But are you glad we won the game?

 

[gberry78]

M

^ Of course you know more than someone who actually attended the game; someone who
ACTUALLY PLAYED BASKETBALL AT CAROLINA.

His only agenda here is to bash Hubert with his ill thought out takes

 

[SuperFan61]

^ Of course you know more than someone who actually attended the game; someone who
ACTUALLY PLAYED BASKETBALL AT CAROLINA.

Bash the man all you want, but he’s not wrong. The starters averaged 36 minutes each yesterday. That’s far too much, but Hubert has made his bed. Dunn is as good as gone and Puff probably is too. Who can blame them? This is not how you manage a basketball team. Very, very poor coaching and player development.

 

[gary-7]

Just curious. Why does this team never try to draw charges? I saw several opportunities yesterday to draw some and those opportunities were not exploited. Bacot and Manek could draw numerous charges per game the way they are backed down. I guess our guards are too slow to get into position most of the time, but just wondering why we never try. A turnover is a turnover in my book.

Platek transfered.

 

[Tarheel75]

Bash the man all you want, but he’s not wrong. The starters averaged 36 minutes each yesterday. That’s far too much, but Hubert has made his bed. Dunn is as good as gone and Puff probably is too. Who can blame them? This is not how you manage a basketball team. Very, very poor coaching and player development.

I know ignorance when I hear it and also when I read it. You , and others simply do not know what you are talking about. How about you and others like yourself chew on this for awhile….., 19-8 & 11-5 in conference. Look back at the last 2 years of Roy’s tenure . He had most of the players on the roster that are playing most minutes plus 1 who went NBA and one who transferred to Auburn. Also, Hubert lost Ant & Garcia and will still have a better record than Roy did. Again, your ignorance shows out with the stupid posts that have the one agenda that is obvious. Hubert is getting it done and none of your ignorant drivel can displace that fact.

 

[gberry78]

Bash the man all you want, but he’s not wrong. The starters averaged 36 minutes each yesterday. That’s far too much, but Hubert has made his bed. Dunn is as good as gone and Puff probably is too. Who can blame them? This is not how you manage a basketball team. Very, very poor coaching and player development.

You realize players just don’t magically develop over the course of one season? In case you haven’t noticed there aren’t many options on the bench. The two best options aren’t available. Leaky & Puff have been playing the back up 4 cause there is anybody else to play in the post. If Walton isn’t making shots he is a liability to have on the floor

 

[SuperFan61]

You realize players just don’t magically develop over the course of one season? In case you haven’t noticed there aren’t many options on the bench. The two best options aren’t available. Leaky & Puff have been playing the back up 4 cause there is anybody else to play in the post. If Walton isn’t making shots he is a liability to have on the floor

No, players don’t just develop. They develop when their coach has a plan for their development that includes playing in games. Roy played guys in the first half of pretty much ALL games to achieve this. Hubert doesn’t do It at all.

Keep letting this inconsistent team that gets run out of the gym ALL THE TIME fool you every time they win a game. They’re not fooling me. They’re poorly coached whether you want to admit it or not.

 

[Grover Thomas]

No, players don’t just develop. They develop when their coach has a plan for their development that includes playing in games. Roy played guys in the first half of pretty much ALL games to achieve this. Hubert doesn’t do It at all.

Keep letting this inconsistent team that gets run out of the gym ALL THE TIME fool you every time they win a game. They’re not fooling me. They’re poorly coached whether you want to admit it or not.

Well how about you just finding a new team to follow. Obviously you don’t like the coach or team. Why torture yourself?

 

[Tarheel75]

No. They develop when their coach has a plan for their development that includes playing in games. Roy played guys in the first half of pretty much ALL games to achieve this. Hubert doesn’t do It at all.

Keep letting this inconsistent team that gets run out of the gym ALL THE TIME fool you every time they win a game. They’re not fooling me. They’re poorly coached whether you want to admit it or not.

Tell ya what Mr. SuperFan61. Why don't you submit your resume to Bubba and apply for the position of HC or even as a staff member? I cannot speak for others, but I can for myself, you know less about the game of basketball, coaching, talent, game discernment and simple understanding of team dynamics than most on this forum.

While I am at it: where did you get the innate ability to read players future thoughts and future intentions in regard to staying or leaving the program? If you are that insightful, then again, you need to be a part of the staff. I submit that you don't know a damn thing about any of which you speak, you just spout your vitriolic stupidity....., which has NO basis in realty.

Seriously, I have Bubba's fax number and would be more than happy to provide it to you. After all, the Athletic Dept. could use a good laugh.

 

[1heel4life]

Tell ya what Mr. SuperFan61. Why don't you submit your resume to Bubba and apply for the position of HC or even as a staff member? I cannot speak for others, but I can for myself, you know less about the game of basketball, coaching, talent, game discernment and simple understanding of team dynamics than most on this forum.

While I am at it: where did you get the innate ability to read players future thoughts and future intentions in regard to staying or leaving the program? If you are that insightful, then again, you need to be a part of the staff. I submit that you don't know a damn thing about any of which you speak, you just spout your vitriolic stupidity....., which has NO basis in realty.

Seriously, I have Bubba's fax number and would be more than happy to provide it to you. After all, the Athletic Dept. could use a good laugh.

I would be so nice if super d*** would go some where else!!!! Anywhere.

 

[SuperFan61]

The echo chamber is out in full force this morning, I see. Still celebrating a big win over a great team. Hey we won. All is well. Hubert is great, our team is great, everything is great. Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’m in!!

 

[SuperFan61]

Question. What happens if a starter sprains an ankle? Who is ready to step in? NOBODY.

 

[Grover Thomas]

Question. What happens if a starter sprains an ankle? Who is ready to step in? NOBODY.

The echo chamber is out in full force this morning, I see. Still celebrating a big win over a great team. Hey we won. All is well. Hubert is great, our team is great, everything is great. Okay, you’ve convinced me. I’m in!!

Now you got the spirit

 

[Grover Thomas]

Question. What happens if a starter sprains an ankle? Who is ready to step in? NOBODY.

As long as you believe in the power of Love….none of these negative things will happen. Do you believe my brother?

 

[Tarheel75]

Question. What happens if a starter sprains an ankle? Who is ready to step in? NOBODY.

Really? Last I checked we had 15 on the roster, surely one of them can ease out onto the court. We can play the what if game all day, you dance with those you take to the dance, that simple, win or lose.

 

[SuperFan61]

Really? Last I checked we had 15 on the roster, surely one of them can ease out onto the court. We can play the what if game all day, you dance with those you take to the dance, that simple, win or lose.

Now THERE’S a solid coaching philosophy right there!!

 

[Grover Thomas]

Now THERE’S a solid coaching philosophy right there!!

SuperFanny do you believe in the Power of Love….Love will bring us through. Don’t worry.

 

[Tarheel75]

Now THERE’S a solid coaching philosophy right there!!

Solid coaching philosophy's ass, it's simple math and next man up, your insufferable and I am through wasting bandwidth and time with you, as you a have never brought any positives to any discussion threads on this board.

 

[tarheel0910]

Seriously, I have Bubba's fax number and would be more than happy to provide it to you. After all, the Athletic Dept. could use a good laugh

To be honest, Bubba using a fax machine in 2022 might be the most troubling issue in the athletic department.

 

[Grover Thomas]

To be honest, Bubba using a fax machine in 2022 might be the most troubling issue in the athletic department.

Coach Davis is one of the best coaches in the ACC right now. Show him some Love

 

[Tarheel75]

To be honest, Bubba using a fax machine in 2022 might be the most troubling issue in the athletic department.

Maybe so, but he still has one at this time, and I am sure that you are correct that there are new technologies that would make communications faster and more efficient. I just am not aware of those, nor do I want to be.

 

[tarheel0910]

Maybe so, but he still has one at this time, and I am sure that you are correct that there are new technologies that would make communications faster and more efficient. I just am not aware of those, nor do I want to be.

It was just a joke. Don't take it personally.

 

[Tarheel75]

It was just a joke. Don't take it personally.

It's all good and I happen to think you are right about what you posted.

 

[gary-7]

Now THERE’S a solid coaching philosophy right there!!

I would ask what your deal is, but that would be rhetorical at best.

Now, that's not to say it isn't legitimate to question sub patterns --- I did so in the OP, and e.g., I was puzzled by the second half lineup that featured Leaky at the 2, as well as waiting til after the under-12 to sub at all.

With that said, it was good to see more early subs than usual in the first half, which left something in the tank for the second. And BTW, if you failed to see that Tech was as much or more gassed than us, well then, you're just not wanting to.

Again, I too would've preferred to see more subs in the early phases of the second half --- and I've advocated a longer bench all season --- but y'see, Hubert has a dilemma as to having guys he can trust in a tight road game, especially when our post-season prospects seemingly rides on every one of them. If for no other reason, losing Ant hurts in that sense. Moreover, it also wasn't Hubert's fault that Platek left --- and make no mistake, he would've helped this year's rotation immensely.

So yeah, critiquing is one thing, but your anti-Hubert narrative is transparent and tired. If you can't see the positive progress this staff has instilled along the way, then again, you probably don't want to.

 

[Lewis&Miller]

Hubert has chosen to install this totally new offense. When he started practice last year, the clock was running on the implementation. The staff was answerable for the success of implementing a totally new system. This is Hubert's decision. Normally, an 8 year assistant continues his mentors offensive system. Hubert may become a great coach but he is no "4 out, 1 in" basketball savant(at least not yet). He has done a good job but even he thought this team could contend for the national championship(he may think it could still happen but most don't). Hubert was expecting a high level of execution based on fall practices that has not materialized.

There are two sides on this message board. Several posters think it is more on Hubert and most think its the players(coach-ability, IQ, effort, intensity, want to, etc). Like most, I have watched about all the games. The general eye test is a failure to develop winning consistent execution. We have top talent and if they could execute at a fairly high level, UNC could make an unexpected March run. That is highly unlikely.

The VT game was a huge needed win. VT helped out. They missed 21 threes. VT created more open looks than Carolina. Hubert said it was Loves best game and we needed someone to step up. We had a 38-30 lead at halftime. That 8 points stood up for the W, but that execution in the 2nd half was atrocious. Before all the end of game fouling began by VT, UNCs offense had 31 possessions. The outcome of 19 was failure:

9 turnovers
6 highly contested three pointers(several late shot clock)
4 drives against 2/3 rim defenders(blocked, no outlet options)

Even talented teams struggle for Ws when the offense fails to generate a good look in 60%+ possessions. Thanks to the players for effort, fight, and enough defense. Its a long winded way of saying the eye test doesn't lie.

 

[SuperFan61]

Coach Davis is one of the best coaches in the ACC right now. Show him some Love

That’s the positivity these guys want! Who cares if it’s bullshit, it’s positive!!

 

[Tarheel75]

That’s the positivity these guys want! Who cares if it’s bullshit, it’s positive!!

I care, and the only BS spewed in this forum on this thread belongs to you and your posts.

 

[dtodd4475]

I would ask what your deal is, but that would be rhetorical at best.

Now, that's not to say it isn't legitimate to question sub patterns --- I did so in the OP, and e.g., I was puzzled by the second half lineup that featured Leaky at the 2, as well as waiting til after the under-12 to sub at all.

With that said, it was good to see more early subs than usual in the first half, which left something in the tank for the second. And BTW, if you failed to see that Tech was as much or more gassed than us, well then, you're just not wanting to.

Again, I too would've preferred to see more subs in the early phases of the second half --- and I've advocated a longer bench all season --- but y'see, Hubert has a dilemma as to having guys he can trust in a tight road game, especially when our post-season prospects seemingly rides on every one of them. If for no other reason, losing Ant hurts in that sense. Moreover, it also wasn't Hubert's fault that Platek left --- and make no mistake, he would've helped this year's rotation immensely.

So yeah, critiquing is one thing, but your anti-Hubert narrative is transparent and tired. If you can't see the positive progress this staff has instilled along the way, then again, you probably don't want to.

The sub minutes seems to be by design. Trez has earned some minutes. Seems like Hubert is very old school on earning minutes. It also seems he is new school with the TV timeouts your best should be able to play without breaks.

Manek does look gassed at times, everyone else seems worked into that amount of play. It may hurt "being game ready" or it may not. Mr. Trippy Mc Trip alot, you all know who I speak of, sat ALL year, and was the key in the final four for a National Title. Being ready is not necessarily freshman minutes on court.

Where you do lose me 1,000% is how Andrew Platek would of helped this team !