Stats and stuff (LBSt game)...

[gary-7]

...with some cautionary tales in the stuff.

Stats:
The good
- 20 Assists on 32 made FGs, 14 Blown Assists that didn't lead to FTs (not too bad)

- 53.3% from the field, and that includes 60% on 2 pt FGs. Much better!

- 45-33 rebounding margin

- we just held another decent team below 40% shooting (36.4%)

- 10 Rebounds from Justin. Roy will be happier with him.

- Another strong all-around game from Kennedy --- 15 and 7 with 0 TOs.

- And jeez, can you ask for anything more from Joel Berry? 23 pts, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists (3 more Blown), 1 Steal plus 3 Caused TOs on 7/10 FG shooting and a perfect 7/7 from the line, and once again set the defensive tone. And BTW, he did it in just 21 minutes. Wow.

The not so good.
- Again --- FT shooting. 68.6%... and if you take away JB's 7/7 we're down around 60%. That needs to improve. The good news is we got to the line 35 times.

- We didn't get out in transition as much as we need to --- 4 Fast Break, 17 Secondary Break pts.

- 5/15 from 3. Kept the crowd from getting a biscuit.

Stuff:
- I'll say it again, at the top of our rotation this bunch can flat-out play some team-D!

- Tony got pounded on tonight but hung in there and played well. Good practice for the physical match-ups to come. That being said, make those FTs, young fella!... you're gonna get to the line.

- Good to see Nate with some positive offensive moves

- KW continues to play great D and a strong floor game --- just want to see him be more aggressive looking for his shot.

- Hope y'all saw how much we missed Luke. Really hurt our rotation. Every time Hicks went out Roy went small, and honestly without Theo that doesn't work out so well, especially Justin trying to guard the 4-man.

- Yikes! We got a tiny glimpse of our nightmare scenario when JB picked up 2 early fouls. That just cannot happen when we get into top competition. Granted, it's fun to watch the early-season experiments, but let's just say when push comes to shove we're gonna need 32-35 minutes from the little dog to be our best.

Anyway, another good win and taking care of business. Let's go kick some ass out west!

 

[acarter0277]

...with some cautionary tales in the stuff.

Stats:
The good
- 20 Assists on 32 made FGs, 14 Blown Assists that didn't lead to FTs (not too bad)

- 53.3% from the field, and that includes 60% on 2 pt FGs. Much better!

- 45-33 rebounding margin

- we just held another decent team below 40% shooting (36.4%)

- 10 Rebounds from Justin. Roy will be happier with him.

- Another strong all-around game from Kennedy --- 15 and 7 with 0 TOs.

- And jeez, can you ask for anything more from Joel Berry? 23 pts, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists (3 more Blown), 1 Steal plus 3 Caused TOs on 7/10 FG shooting and a perfect 7/7 from the line, and once again set the defensive tone. And BTW, he did it in just 21 minutes. Wow.

The not so good.
- Again --- FT shooting. 68.6%... and if you take away JB's 7/7 we're down around 60%. That needs to improve. The good news is we got to the line 35 times.

- We didn't get out in transition as much as we need to --- 4 Fast Break, 17 Secondary Break pts.

- 5/15 from 3. Kept the crowd from getting a biscuit.

Stuff:
- I'll say it again, at the top of our rotation this bunch can flat-out play some team-D!

- Tony got pounded on tonight but hung in there and played well. Good practice for the physical match-ups to come. That being said, make those FTs, young fella!... you're gonna get to the line.

- Good to see Nate with some positive offensive moves

- KW continues to play great D and a strong floor game --- just want to see him be more aggressive looking for his shot.

- Hope y'all saw how much we missed Luke. Really hurt our rotation. Every time Hicks went out Roy went small, and honestly without Theo that doesn't work out so well, especially Justin trying to guard the 4-man.

- Yikes! We got a tiny glimpse of our nightmare scenario when JB picked up 2 early fouls. That just cannot happen when we get into top competition. Granted, it's fun to watch the early-season experiments, but let's just say when push comes to shove we're gonna need 32-35 minutes from the little dog to be our best.

Anyway, another good win and taking care of business. Let's go kick some ass out west!

Is it just me or does Seventh look like he's not happy. His demeanor and body language on and off the court bother me.

 

[yrusonvus]

Good job gary-7

 

[imajericho]

Is it just me or does Seventh look like he's not happy. His demeanor and body language on and off the court bother me.

Could be just how he is if you see it literally everywhere. Obviously he is getting a ton of time to shine.

 

[gary-7]

Is it just me or does Seventh look like he's not happy. His demeanor and body language on and off the court bother me.

Hard to say. I do know he's been fighting a sore ankle.
On the other hand some of the guys who played pick-up with him this summer did notice that at times.

 

[Archer2]

Could be 7th just isn't happy that he hasn't been a little more dominant due to injuries and better competition. I hope he's happy because he's going to be very good eventually. He missed his only shot but had 6 more assists tonight he may be our best passer.

 

[Archer2]

Lead dropped from 29 to 17 with 3 freshmen in the game. It immediately went back to 27 when the starters returned. Like Gary said, Joel is the heart of this team. Also, great game time experience for the youngin's. Unlike the guy down the road, Roy develops his bench. It will pay dividends down the road.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Nice work Gary...
Just watching the replay now and liked most of the commentary from Paul Biancardi, especially how he kept saying you don't need OAD's to win college championships!
Only bit I didn't like of his, he kept calling JB a 'combo guard'!!! I'd argue the dude is a lead guard, with the ball in his hands on virtually every play.

 

[DSouthr]

Is it just me or does Seventh look like he's not happy. His demeanor and body language on and off the court bother me.

Please don't start with the body language nonsense, kid wants to play and he is frustrated as happens with all freshmen. 7th is an intense competitor, he is dinged up right now and even without that faces a hard challenge to transition to the top level of play in the NCAA and trying to learn a position that is pretty new to him. Can we please not look to single him out as some kind of potential bad seed because someone does not like the expression on his face at some slice of time during a game?

 

[goheels653]

Nice work Gary...
Just watching the replay now and liked most of the commentary from Paul Biancardi, especially how he kept saying you don't need OAD's to win college championships!
Only bit I didn't like of his, he kept calling JB a 'combo guard'!!! I'd argue the dude is a lead guard, with the ball in his hands on virtually every play.

This drives me crazy too. I saw an article yesterday referring to Britt as our point guard and Berry as a combo guard. Last year, commentators (even guys like Bilas who called 10+ of our games) constantly referred to Paige as our primary PG, despite Berry starting and playing 30 minutes a game as the primary PG. This dude just doesn't get any respect, not just in terms of first team/second team All America consideration, but even with commentators who can't even take the time to notice that he is far and away the best pure point guard on his own team. Along these lines, I think it drives Berry crazy too, and I think he feeds off of it, so keep it coming. This dude is going to be so fun to watch this year, and probably next year too. As long as he is on the floor, these Heels can beat anyone. Dook is going to have such a hard time matching up with Berry without a real point guard. I just don't see how Frank Jackson or Grayson Allen can handle his combination of skill, quickness and pure strength, and if there's one position where I want us to have a definitive advantage over them this or any year, its point guard. I love this player.

 

[dadika13]

Please don't start with the body language nonsense, kid wants to play and he is frustrated as happens with all freshmen. 7th is an intense competitor, he is dinged up right now and even without that faces a hard challenge to transition to the top level of play in the NCAA and trying to learn a position that is pretty new to him. Can we please not look to single him out as some kind of potential bad seed because someone does not like the expression on his face at some slice of time during a game?

No one is saying he's a bad seed.

All someone did was point out that he doesn't look too happy. And he's not making that up, anyone who watched the game last night could see that a mile away. I would guess it's the injury but it's worth watching.

 

[gary-7]

This drives me crazy too. I saw an article yesterday referring to Britt as our point guard and Berry as a combo guard. Last year, commentators (even guys like Bilas who called 10+ of our games) constantly referred to Paige as our primary PG, despite Berry starting and playing 30 minutes a game as the primary PG. .

Amazing ain't it? Nate hasn't played a second of PG this season, and Marcus didn't last season. It also drives me crazy when commentators (including some who work for Carolina sites) repeat the nonsense that JB only started last season because Marcus was hurt. JB was gonna start from day-one no matter (and Roy woulda had a mass mutiny on his hands if he didn't).

 

[Ned Cota]

Please don't start with the body language nonsense, kid wants to play and he is frustrated as happens with all freshmen. 7th is an intense competitor, he is dinged up right now and even without that faces a hard challenge to transition to the top level of play in the NCAA and trying to learn a position that is pretty new to him. Can we please not look to single him out as some kind of potential bad seed because someone does not like the expression on his face at some slice of time during a game?

Agreed completely. To add on to that, he may just be a very focused, serious person. On the other end of the spectrum from Theo. More like Harrison Barnes was. The kid is playing hard, having a lot of success learning a very difficult UNC PG position, and having to learn how to play a role on a team when he's not its best player.

I love what I see from Seventh so far. Its so important to the program that he learns the PG position for this season but especially next. Nate will be gone, JB might be gone, and Jalek will be a freshman.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Intensity is often misread as a different emotion. He could just be a guy that doesn't smile when he is at work! If you add this to his discomfort due to injury and his difficult transition to this level; it is easy to see why he isn't so happy-go-lucky!

I agree that we need to be careful about parsing every expression because we have seen many instances of this spiraling out of hand with our fanbase! We don't need another whipping boy when we have such a cohesive team!

JB is a pure PG and I don't understand how any knowledgeable person could miss this!

 

[acarter0277]

Please don't start with the body language nonsense, kid wants to play and he is frustrated as happens with all freshmen. 7th is an intense competitor, he is dinged up right now and even without that faces a hard challenge to transition to the top level of play in the NCAA and trying to learn a position that is pretty new to him. Can we please not look to single him out as some kind of potential bad seed because someone does not like the expression on his face at some slice of time during a game?

It wasn't just last nights game. I've seen it in practice, and Gary said it happened in the summer. He played 17 minutes, same as Kenny, and Kenny was all into the game, cheering his teammates, up off the bench clapping, etc. I want him to be happy and healthy. We need him. Something just didn't look right. Getting off the bench and cheering and clapping for your teammates is a UNC staple, and I just didn't see it.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

It’s slowing getting back,” Woods said of his legendary athleticism. "I feel 85 percent right now and I’m doing (physical therapy) so it’s coming back. I see myself showing flashes of my explosiveness in practice so I’m just trying to translate it to the game.

"It’s probably a mental thing. I’m really just trying to do the right thing right now, not being comfortable is a big part of it."

This is in response to Roy saying he would not call him Seventh until the guy that was recruited shows up on the court. He is uncomfortable due to pain and feeling he isn't living up to expectations. It is a great sign that he isn't comfortable being less than he can be!

 

[dadika13]

It’s slowing getting back,” Woods said of his legendary athleticism. "I feel 85 percent right now and I’m doing (physical therapy) so it’s coming back. I see myself showing flashes of my explosiveness in practice so I’m just trying to translate it to the game.

"It’s probably a mental thing. I’m really just trying to do the right thing right now, not being comfortable is a big part of it."

This is in response to Roy saying he would not call him Seventh until the guy that was recruited shows up on the court. He is uncomfortable due to pain and feeling he isn't living up to expectations. It is a great sign that he isn't comfortable being less than he can be!

But that can also be the wrong way to deal with some kids. Some kids do better with tough love (Brice) some don't (PJ, JP).

Let's hope he's the former.

 

[acarter0277]

I hope it's nothing. I hope he get's back to the Seventh we all know. We really need him.

 

[superstar57]

Leave dude alone! The speed of higher competition is real. I am sure 80% of the time he was in HS he was the fastest guy on the court, in the college game you have forwards with the same speed. He will get it just give him time. I am still waiting on him to dunk on someone.

 

[DSouthr]

And so it begins, can see the sports page head lines in the N&O tomorrow, Woods not happy at UNC...

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Yup. Kane is going to use this "issue" to resurrect his career. I hear he had an exclusive interview an inside source that can confirm that 7th frowned twice in practice last week!

 

[soap - new and improved]

Just curious, did anyone else notice how high Joel Berry was jumping straight up to grab about 3-4 of his rebounds?!?! The young man was skying like I have never seen him before. This guy wants to get back to the title game and win more than anyone here can imagine. It's showing in every aspect of his play.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

JB is displaying the kind of will to win that can carry an entire team. I feel that he will put us on his back at key times during this season and raise everyone's level. There is no play in his game this year! (wait...does this make him appear unhappy?)

 

[Ozheelfan]

Just curious, did anyone else notice how high Joel Berry was jumping straight up to grab about 3-4 of his rebounds?!?! The young man was skying like I have never seen him before. This guy wants to get back to the title game and win more than anyone here can imagine. It's showing in every aspect of his play.

Noted soap.
I'll add to the mix his end to end court speed with the ball. There was one drive where he seemed to accelerate 3 times..... just for those who question his 'quickness'
Not going to anoint him the Cousy winner just yet but he's made a very strong case to start the season.

 

[gary-7]

Just curious, did anyone else notice how high Joel Berry was jumping straight up to grab about 3-4 of his rebounds?!?! The young man was skying like I have never seen him before. This guy wants to get back to the title game and win more than anyone here can imagine. It's showing in every aspect of his play.

He did indeed and took two of em coast-to-coast (got away with a walk on one, but hey). People underestimate his speed because he plays under control, but when he turns on the jets he has another gear.

Also, don't know if y'all noticed, but coming out of commercial they showed him jumping flat-footed and chinning up on one of the rims.

 

[gary-7]

And so it begins, can see the sports page head lines in the N&O tomorrow, Woods not happy at UNC...

Ha! I hear ya, but seriously, I don't think it's a big deal, Dave... just part of the maturation process. Coming from Hammond, as you know 7th probably had the biggest culture shock of any of the frosh. Got a dose this summer and sounds like he's getting a reality check and tough love from Roy, but hey, Roy's giving him a chance to get floor time when he could be playing it safe and giving those spare PG minutes to Stilman. He'll be ok.

 

[Archer2]

Exactly, Gary. He's getting minutes he wouldn't be getting at a lot of schools. He's got to love that. I'd much rather he have high expectations and be unhappy with achieving less than he expected than to see him be content with being merely good, which he obviously has been at the very least. I don't think anyone has greater expectations for 7th than Roy and 7th himself. And that's as it should be.

 

[ltrogdon]

He did indeed and took two of em coast-to-coast (got away with a walk on one, but hey). People underestimate his speed because he plays under control, but when he turns on the jets he has another gear.

Also, don't know if y'all noticed, but coming out of commercial they showed him jumping flat-footed and chinning up on one of the rims.

I was there, I saw that. It was pretty cool.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Exactly, Gary. He's getting minutes he wouldn't be getting at a lot of schools...

True dat Arch.... we could all name one coach who leaves 5*'s sitting on the bench while complaining about being short handed!
Glad 7th is a Heel, and I think he is too!

 

[Archer2]

So do I, Oz. I think we're seeing the frustration of an extremely intense competitor who is struggling to get healthy, adjust to a higher level of comp, and learn the most difficult position in college ball, PG. I would be disappointed if he weren't frustrated.

 

[DSouthr]

Ha! I hear ya, but seriously, I don't think it's a big deal, Dave... just part of the maturation process. Coming from Hammond, as you know 7th probably had the biggest culture shock of any of the frosh. Got a dose this summer and sounds like he's getting a reality check and tough love from Roy, but hey, Roy's giving him a chance to get floor time when he could be playing it safe and giving those spare PG minutes to Stilman. He'll be ok.

Absolutely, 7th coming from Hammond to UNC is a double tuff "adjustment". I just want folks to ease off on trying to read his expressions, kid is upset but he is upset with himself more than him being a bad seed chemistry wise. 7th is a mega competitor, we have several of those kind of guys on our team, one walking around in a boot, one is our starting PG. Guys that compete like that have very high standards for themselves and they don't like nor understand not being able to play up to their standards, they don't understand not being the key guy for their team, they feel like they are letting their mates down if they can not lead the way.

That is what I want folks to understand, it isn't that he is a problem child, this isn't Rashad, this is more Joel Berry like but just not Joel berry ready yet.When we start in on a kids expressions it is never long before it is spun in to being a bad seed. I want to curb that because this is a wonderful kid and will become a heck of a player for us.

 

[shun1]

Absolutely, 7th coming from Hammond to UNC is a double tuff "adjustment". I just want folks to ease off on trying to read his expressions, kid is upset but he is upset with himself more than him being a bad seed chemistry wise. 7th is a mega competitor, we have several of those kind of guys on our team, one walking around in a boot, one is our starting PG. Guys that compete like that have very high standards for themselves and they don't like nor understand not being able to play up to their standards, they don't understand not being the key guy for their team, they feel like they are letting their mates down if they can not lead the way.

That is what I want folks to understand, it isn't that he is a problem child, this isn't Rashad, this is more Joel Berry like but just not Joel berry ready yet.When we start in on a kids expressions it is never long before it is spun in to being a bad seed. I want to curb that because this is a wonderful kid and will become a heck of a player for us.

Hi DSouthr, SMILE

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

There's nothing wrong with 7th's attitude or head. Just stop.

 

[soap - new and improved]

I really like what I have seen from 7th so far. Fast for sure, very good vision and excellent passer. These areas will improve and he will progress in other areas as well. I think he has a very bright future at UNC, and we will all be glad he chose UNC.