Boston College Game & Other Dribbles ...

[DT_PITT]

** Sorry guys. I’m to blame. This one is on me.

** I missed most of the game because I had to coach my Son’s basketball practice.

** I followed along the play-by-play on the ESPN website, and even on the radio through my travels.

** Then I finally got home just in time to watch Sidy N’Dir drive the lane to give the Panthers the last lead they would enjoy.

** After that moment all I really got to watch was the Panthers missing shots. They missed 15 of the 16 shots I watched them take.

** For good measure, I also got to watch our Panthers make only one of five foul shots too.

** Yep, I was the reason the final 8 minutes were nothing short of incredibly brutal. I shouldn’t have started watching. I changed our fortunes. Sorry.

** I understand the extreme disappointment that Panther fans are feeling. Not all that long ago, legitimate or not, we were dreaming magical dreams of the Panthers somehow landing in the NCAA tournament. Well, maybe it’s really Jerry Palm we have to blame for that.

** Still, it surely looked like a quite pleasing NIT Tournament birth was in our future. Now it’s hard to want to even watch the next game.

** Despite the fact the our Panthers were flawed and incomplete to begin the ACC season, they were still intriguing and often electric. Mostly they were fun. And whether or not it actually should have happened, they really raised our expectations.

** But it is only through this prism of raised expectations that a Panther fans should find themselves furious following this fiasco.

** Otherwise, our men have pretty much settled into the spot most figured before game one.

** I don’t blame Coach Capel for poor work during this game, or during some of the previous losses. But that doesn’t mean he’s made all the best choices, or wrangled the most out of his team.

** But the reason most believe HCJC is best for this job because of his ability to get better players to play for the Panthers. At least we are staring to make some decent progress on that front. One done, and more to come.

** We can't forget that the reason we are even grumbling about this losing streak is because of positively promising players such as Xavier and Trey.

** But we just don’t have enough of them, and the staff is now left with the tussle of whack-a-mole, struggling to subdue the problem du jour. On some days, it’s the inability to guard the three point shot. On other days, it’s turning the ball over. On most days, it’s the failure to clear the defensive glass.

** And on this day when none of the other moles reared their ugly heads, we showed up to shoot 29% from the floor, including the aforementioned 1-16 in the final 8 minutes.

** Like others, I’ve stated the simple reality of this team needing better players, because the limited talent we do possess leaves us absolutely no room for error.

** Unfortunately, as the errors are piling up, so are the losses.

** Only one of 350+ teams will call themselves a champion in a year. Spare a couple here or there, the rest will end their season on a loss.

** Therefore, short of a National Championship, pretty much every other team must reach for a much more esoteric goal – to be the best team they can be.

** Perhaps wins against Louisville and Florida State gave us a far too inflated viewpoint of what the best this team can be.

** But they are also better than this more recent version that has lost eight in a row.

** Our Panthers have six games to find our more rightful place somewhere in the middle of the two.

** These next six games can give our Panthers the chance to believe in themselves again. Because at the moment, it’s fairly evident that they don’t. And accordingly, neither do most Panther fans.

** So once again, this particular fan is sorry for getting to the game a little late and changing our fortunes. I won’t make the same mistake on Saturday. I’ll be there at 4:30, hoping the Panthers will show us closer to their best. I hope most other Panther fans will do the same.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

The last few have been tough. Recruiting looking up as we get Drumgoole and look to be in great shape for Coulibaly and Champagnie twins.

 

[MajorMajors]

Wait, DT, I was sure that I’m the Pitt fan who jinxes them all the time. I swear that if I start watching a game a Pitt scoring drought is sure to follow...

And what is it about Pitt that it seems like about every time we make a 3, the opponent immediately cancels it out by coming right down and hitting their own three. It’s scary how often that happens...

Go Pitt.

 

[gary2]

The last few have been tough. Recruiting looking up as we get Drumgoole and look to be in great shape for Coulibaly and Champagnie twins.

I think we better add a point who can direct an offense against a zone.

 

[thebadby2]

I think we better add a point who can direct an offense against a zone.

Hard to beat anyone’s zone with no shooters, nobody who can run the high post, and nobody in the frontcourt who can finish around the basket.

You need at least 7 legit P5 players to compete for anything in a P5 league. We might have 2.

 

[gary2]

Hard to beat anyone’s zone with no shooters, nobody who can run the high post, and nobody in the frontcourt who can finish around the basket.

You need at least 7 legit P5 players to compete for anything in a P5 league. We might have 2.

I hear you, but do you think X would be any better at DIRECTING the offense even with all that.

I think I heard during the telecast that Capel feels bad that X has has to play so much point.

 

[Chairman Moe]

I’m pretty sure that no Pitt Panther fan who watched this game can accept the blame for the loss. The team shot horribly, rebounded poorly, played just OK on D, and honestly should have won if even a third more shots went through the nets.

I’ve watched far more many games this year than the last two. I won’t and haven’t got overly emotional. It’s pretty simple; outside of JWF, we have no natural shooter. And he’s too streaky.

See my post, DT. Next year can’t come too soon.

 

[DT_PITT]

I think we better add a point who can direct an offense against a zone.

X will get better gary. And he'll get better with better players to help.

 

[pittjas]

X will get better gary. And he'll get better with better players to help.

Yeah, even on a rough night he went for 8/7/7 ...

He’s really special. And it’s not his fault this team basically calls for him to create everything which leads to some TOs/wild shots.

 

[Bethlehemjohn]

I think we better add a point who can direct an offense against a zone.

Xavier will add that part of his game. We need a backup and we need a post player.

 

[TreesHero]

Pitt got the ball to the high post in the second Syracuse game, and Ellison seemed to be the designated player there. No Ellison tonight. Others were tried in that game and did a much worse job than Ellison. Flashing to the high post from the baseline opposite the wing with the ball was an even less effective option that night.

With that being stated, do we actually know that X was supposed to recognize zone and call for the high post offense? It looked like the plan was to run high ball screens to use X and Trey's quickness for penetration. It's not a bad option in theory, and may have been thought as the best option in tonight's match up. Regardless, it was frustrating to watch.

 

[Elsalvador]

** And on this day when none of the other moles reared their ugly heads, we showed up to shoot 29% from the floor, including the aforementioned 1-16 in the final 8 minutes.

I was at the game and I apologize to my Pitt brethren, I tried cheering, screaming during FT's, getting the crowd riled up and it didn't work.

I knew the shooting % was horrible like you posted, but didn't realize it was 1-16 in the final 8 minutes. Maybe at that time, Pitt was up 51-49, couldn't get a rebound and BC grabs it, scores and gets fouled uggghhh. Then it was maybe 56-55 and BC keeps scoring. A big or two is needed (Coulibaly and Sy or a Grad Transfer), but shooters should be in demand too. Hopefully the Champagnie twins are just that and maybe, as smart basketball people have stated, a backup PG (Grad Transfer) is needed, hopefully he can shoot as well. Cold spells have doomed Pitt through every game. Think they had a 4+ minute drought in the 1st half, then the 1-16 as @DT_PITT stated is plain crap.

I'm excited for the future. Laugh at me if you want, but Ellison would've helped on the boards. Hopefully he's back for Saturday. Brown's hands are horrendous and I so badly want him to be a presence in the middle.

After games against the lower tier teams, I always believe we have a chance. Then I get pissed off after the outcome - no rebounding, shooting %'s are BAD, turnovers, etc. Then I remember, just how YOUNG this team is. Lots of growing pains, but if we've heard it once, we've heard it a thousand times, exciting times are ahead and us fans are ready for it! Hail to Pitt!

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

I hear you, but do you think X would be any better at DIRECTING the offense even with all that.

I think I heard during the telecast that Capel feels bad that X has has to play so much point.

Yes I do

 

[levance2]

As a big fan of HCJC, I am pretty disappointed with what he’s done in the last month. As of December, I’m not sure many fans would’ve claimed N’Dir and JWF were productive players let alone critical pieces for us.

I was never delusional enough to think they were going to make the postseason, but they’ve clearly regressed in recent weeks.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

The freshman’s athletic abilities are far superior than what we’re use to seeing in a Pitt uniform and as JC continues to recruit these types of athletes and fills the obvious holes in the roster Pitts results will improve .

Besides athletic ability Pitt needs a couple of guys who can shoot the ball effectively from the perimeter and a couple of guys who’ve got the natural instinct to be in the right place to rebound .

No matter how good you play defense great/good offensive players will get their points and you need guys wearing Pitt uniforms who can answer down the stretch .

All 3 freshman need to improve their outside shooting and learn that while a mid range jumper doesn’t make sports centers highlight reel it still counts as 2 points .

Having just one big guy who has the ability to catch and finish around the basket will make X look so much better not to mention giving Pitt a better chance to win some games .

The great early wins over Louisville and FSU shows what’s achievable, unfortunately they also showed the rest of the league the blueprint on how to beat Pitt.

It’s getting a little harder to watch as the Panthers flounder , next yr will be better and they’ll be a tournament team in 2 .

Keep the faith !

 

[goalieman]

** Sorry guys. I’m to blame. This one is on me.

** I missed most of the game because I had to coach my Son’s basketball practice.

** I followed along the play-by-play on the ESPN website, and even on the radio through my travels.

** Then I finally got home just in time to watch Sidy N’Dir drive the lane to give the Panthers the last lead they would enjoy.

** After that moment all I really got to watch was the Panthers missing shots. They missed 15 of the 16 shots I watched them take.

** For good measure, I also got to watch our Panthers make only one of five foul shots too.

** Yep, I was the reason the final 8 minutes were nothing short of incredibly brutal. I shouldn’t have started watching. I changed our fortunes. Sorry.

** I understand the extreme disappointment that Panther fans are feeling. Not all that long ago, legitimate or not, we were dreaming magical dreams of the Panthers somehow landing in the NCAA tournament. Well, maybe it’s really Jerry Palm we have to blame for that.

** Still, it surely looked like a quite pleasing NIT Tournament birth was in our future. Now it’s hard to want to even watch the next game.

** Despite the fact the our Panthers were flawed and incomplete to begin the ACC season, they were still intriguing and often electric. Mostly they were fun. And whether or not it actually should have happened, they really raised our expectations.

** But it is only through this prism of raised expectations that a Panther fans should find themselves furious following this fiasco.

** Otherwise, our men have pretty much settled into the spot most figured before game one.

** I don’t blame Coach Capel for poor work during this game, or during some of the previous losses. But that doesn’t mean he’s made all the best choices, or wrangled the most out of his team.

** But the reason most believe HCJC is best for this job because of his ability to get better players to play for the Panthers. At least we are staring to make some decent progress on that front. One done, and more to come.

** We can't forget that the reason we are even grumbling about this losing streak is because of positively promising players such as Xavier and Trey.

** But we just don’t have enough of them, and the staff is now left with the tussle of whack-a-mole, struggling to subdue the problem du jour. On some days, it’s the inability to guard the three point shot. On other days, it’s turning the ball over. On most days, it’s the failure to clear the defensive glass.

** And on this day when none of the other moles reared their ugly heads, we showed up to shoot 29% from the floor, including the aforementioned 1-16 in the final 8 minutes.

** Like others, I’ve stated the simple reality of this team needing better players, because the limited talent we do possess leaves us absolutely no room for error.

** Unfortunately, as the errors are piling up, so are the losses.

** Only one of 350+ teams will call themselves a champion in a year. Spare a couple here or there, the rest will end their season on a loss.

** Therefore, short of a National Championship, pretty much every other team must reach for a much more esoteric goal – to be the best team they can be.

** Perhaps wins against Louisville and Florida State gave us a far too inflated viewpoint of what the best this team can be.

** But they are also better than this more recent version that has lost eight in a row.

** Our Panthers have six games to find our more rightful place somewhere in the middle of the two.

** These next six games can give our Panthers the chance to believe in themselves again. Because at the moment, it’s fairly evident that they don’t. And accordingly, neither do most Panther fans.

** So once again, this particular fan is sorry for getting to the game a little late and changing our fortunes. I won’t make the same mistake on Saturday. I’ll be there at 4:30, hoping the Panthers will show us closer to their best. I hope most other Panther fans will do the same.

I know the team has major flaws, a dearth of talent, and it is difficult to win any game in this conference especially on the road ...... but for the first time last night as the game progressed I felt a hint of fatigue in the team both physically and mentally which affected their play ...... we need to get a second wind and bounce back.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

As a big fan of HCJC, I am pretty disappointed with what he’s done in the last month. As of December, I’m not sure many fans would’ve claimed N’Dir and JWF were productive players let alone critical pieces for us.

I was never delusional enough to think they were going to make the postseason, but they’ve clearly regressed in recent weeks.

When your teams basically one dimensional it’s easy to take that away exposing your weaknesses. They’re no answers on the roster this yr . Even the bottom dwellers in the ACC have better overall rosters than Pitt .

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

When your teams basically one dimensional it’s easy to take that away exposing your weaknesses. They’re no answers on the roster this yr . Even the bottom dwellers in the ACC have better overall rosters than Pitt .

Absolutely true! We have the lowest overall talent roster in the ACC. This team has done much on grit and enthusiasm alone and it does wear the psyche down when you keep losing despite real effort. As someone mentioned before the ACC season began Capel's greatest challenge was going to be keeping the players encouraged and keeping their energy and enthusiasm up despite continually losing game after game. That need hasn't changed.

What I see now from our fans is what was predictable when they became overly encouraged over what really wern't true possibilities after we snuck-up on Fla. St and Louisville. The blue and gold colored glasses went on and the result now is disappointment because this team is now playing at the level it should have been expected to be at to begin with based on its overall roster talent level as compared to the rest of the ACC. It is not so much that the team has regressed (although maybe physical and mental tiredness showed late in last night's game). It is just, IMHO, that it got lucky early before other coaches figured out how to counter its strengths and exploit its weaknesses.

 

[DT_PITT]

I know the team has major flaws, a dearth of talent, and it is difficult to win any game in this conference especially on the road ...... but for the first time last night as the game progressed I felt a hint of fatigue in the team both physically and mentally which affected their play ...... we need to get a second wind and bounce back.

I've never been one to buy into the concept of physical fatigue over the course of the season (injuries notwithstanding). All teams play lots of minutes, and more importantly, all teams PRACTICE tons of minutes over the course of the season.

But the concept of "mental fatigue" may be something different. That is ... winning teams "look energized," while losing teams "look tired." And one must recognize that when you no longer have a "shot at the title," deep down, even without knowing, a team may not be giving it their all.

And despite whether or not you believe in any type of fatigue at all and think this is just perspective and perception, it's hard not to think that our team is playing with just a little bit less "pep in their step" that they were, even just a month ago.

 

[levance2]

When your teams basically one dimensional it’s easy to take that away exposing your weaknesses. They’re no answers on the roster this yr . Even the bottom dwellers in the ACC have better overall rosters than Pitt .

I don’t disagree, but if your team is capable of even an outlier win over a very good Louisville team, you should be capable of beating WF and BC. I knew this team was bad (even when others entertained fantasies) but what I’m struggling with now is that Capel seems mostly resigned to being this bad.

Trey scored 70 points in 3 games and then has scored only 61 in 8 games since. It doesn’t appear to me that he’s being coached to play any differently right now. If Capel doesn’t know how to help him improve now, why would he be better next year or the year after? Throwing your hands up and saying we just aren’t talented enough is the Stallings method.

 

[Delpanther]

I don’t disagree, but if your team is capable of even an outlier win over a very good Louisville team, you should be capable of beating WF and BC. I knew this team was bad (even when others entertained fantasies) but what I’m struggling with now is that Capel seems mostly resigned to being this bad.

Trey scored 70 points in 3 games and then has scored only 61 in 8 games since. It doesn’t appear to me that he’s being coached to play any differently right now. If Capel doesn’t know how to help him improve now, why would he be better next year or the year after? Throwing your hands up and saying we just aren’t talented enough is the Stallings method.

I think your questions and observations are appropriate/ logical given what we have seen over the last month and a half.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

I don’t disagree, but if your team is capable of even an outlier win over a very good Louisville team, you should be capable of beating WF and BC. I knew this team was bad (even when others entertained fantasies) but what I’m struggling with now is that Capel seems mostly resigned to being this bad.

Trey scored 70 points in 3 games and then has scored only 61 in 8 games since. It doesn’t appear to me that he’s being coached to play any differently right now. If Capel doesn’t know how to help him improve now, why would he be better next year or the year after? Throwing your hands up and saying we just aren’t talented enough is the Stallings method.

They are capable of beating teams like WF , BC even NCS , but their margin of error is just too small . When they’re hitting some outside shots , Brown is catching passes , and the rebounds are going their way they can win . Gone are the games were teams will be caught off guard by their quickness . The reality is that they’re not talented or deep enough yet .
Last yr when all we heard about was how good Ellison was and that Chewy was knocking down those 3’s in practice and I’m sure they’re currently working on on their deficiencies in practice it’s just once your first shot goes haywire you lose your confidence. Let them work this off season on their shots before being overly concerned .
Ps.. Trey is pressing , his A game is penetrating and it’s not there and he’s lost confidence in his shot . He needs variety in his game and remember he’s young . He will improve next yr .

 

[rockypanther]

As a big fan of HCJC, I am pretty disappointed with what he’s done in the last month. As of December, I’m not sure many fans would’ve claimed N’Dir and JWF were productive players let alone critical pieces for us.

I was never delusional enough to think they were going to make the postseason, but they’ve clearly regressed in recent weeks.

I am frustrated that with 4 head coaches on our staff we can’t somehow teach these kids:
1) to find a guy to box out,

2) to not follow the guard into the lane in a zone defense and then get burned when the ball handler passes to an open 3 point shooter,

3) run some type of offense that uses more screens and cuts to get better shots instead of X driving on 3 guys or passing to Frame for a ton of 3 pointers or Trey to hesitate and not even take a 3 point shot. We are running some type of AAU drive and kick offense that is very easy to guard. Especially when we can’t shoot.

4) get your players to be emotionally ready to play a road game with some intensity from the beginning.

5) zero a better job with Brown and Trey to help them through their mental struggles. I mean you have 4 coaches so they should have plenty of experience in that area.

I know our guys are getting tired. But our guys are not learning basics and their on the court decisions are not developing from a mental perspective. I have been very unimpressed with our staffs ability to actually coach the game of basketball this year. I expected much more player development from 4 head coaches then we have seen.

 

[rockypanther]

I've never been one to buy into the concept of physical fatigue over the course of the season (injuries notwithstanding). All teams play lots of minutes, and more importantly, all teams PRACTICE tons of minutes over the course of the season.

But the concept of "mental fatigue" may be something different. That is ... winning teams "look energized," while losing teams "look tired." And one must recognize that when you no longer have a "shot at the title," deep down, even without knowing, a team may not be giving it their all.

And despite whether or not you believe in any type of fatigue at all of think this is just perspective and perception, it's hard not to think that our team is playing with just a little bit less "pep in their step" that they were, even just a month ago.

I think Trey’s confidence is really low right now which is really hurting us on the offensive end. We now have just X and Frame who can score somewhat consistently. We are playing 2 on 5 on the offensive end.

 

[lilspainishflea]

I don’t disagree, but if your team is capable of even an outlier win over a very good Louisville team, you should be capable of beating WF and BC. I knew this team was bad (even when others entertained fantasies) but what I’m struggling with now is that Capel seems mostly resigned to being this bad.

Trey scored 70 points in 3 games and then has scored only 61 in 8 games since. It doesn’t appear to me that he’s being coached to play any differently right now. If Capel doesn’t know how to help him improve now, why would he be better next year or the year after? Throwing your hands up and saying we just aren’t talented enough is the Stallings method.

I don't think it's fair to say Capel is resigned to losing. We beat Louisville on an unconscious night from Trey. He was literally burying everything. We beat FSU because they couldn't buy a bucket in the second half. Both games were at home. Both games we got another 6-8 pts and 4-6 rebounds from Malik which we didn't have tonight.

One coaching adjustment I liked from Capel last night was the full-court pressure late in the first half. It led to a few turnovers and points. Capel is trying things, we just don't have the roster to exploit a zone or secure defensive boards.

 

[gary2]

I don’t disagree, but if your team is capable of even an outlier win over a very good Louisville team, you should be capable of beating WF and BC. I knew this team was bad (even when others entertained fantasies) but what I’m struggling with now is that Capel seems mostly resigned to being this bad.

Trey scored 70 points in 3 games and then has scored only 61 in 8 games since. It doesn’t appear to me that he’s being coached to play any differently right now. If Capel doesn’t know how to help him improve now, why would he be better next year or the year after? Throwing your hands up and saying we just aren’t talented enough is the Stallings method.

Lot to agree with in this post - Well said

 

[Chescat]

To me it's pretty simple. We can play with even better teams and hold our own
if...and it's a big IF......IF they're playing us man to man on D. Where we struggle
is when we're faced with a zone.
It was mentioned on here by a number of us more than a month ago, that when
teams went to a zone, packed the lane against our drives to the hoop, and
forced us into a perimeter game...we would struggle. Why do you think Trey is
struggling so badly? Why did X eat a number of Spalding burgers last night?
It's pretty clear, defenses have taken the lane away from us...yet we continue
to force it there. We're seeing the result. In X's and Trey's defense, when they
do drive and dish Brown invariably loses the handle and it's another turnover.
If we don't solve this zone issue, it's going to continue.
We've been thoroughly scouted, teams know how to force us into a
perimeter game and we haven't adjusted.

 

[gary2]

They are capable of beating teams like WF , BC even NCS , but their margin of error is just too small . When they’re hitting some outside shots , Brown is catching passes , and the rebounds are going their way they can win . Gone are the games were teams will be caught off guard by their quickness . The reality is that they’re not talented or deep enough yet .
Last yr when all we heard about was how good Ellison was and that Chewy was knocking down those 3’s in practice and I’m sure they’re currently working on on their deficiencies in practice it’s just once your first shot goes haywire you lose your confidence. Let them work this off season on their shots before being overly concerned .
Ps.. Trey is pressing , his A game is penetrating and it’s not there and he’s lost confidence in his shot . He needs variety in his game and remember he’s young . He will improve next yr .

Trey had those 2 thirty point games. Other than those 2 games his scoring in ACC games has been mostly disappointing

 

[gary2]

I am frustrated that with 4 head coaches on our staff we can’t somehow teach these kids:
1) to find a guy to box out,

2) to not follow the guard into the lane in a zone defense and then get burned when the ball handler passes to an open 3 point shooter,

3) run some type of offense that uses more screens and cuts to get better shots instead of X driving on 3 guys or passing to Frame for a ton of 3 pointers or Trey to hesitate and not even take a 3 point shot. We are running some type of AAU drive and kick offense that is very easy to guard. Especially when we can’t shoot.

4) get your players to be emotionally ready to play a road game with some intensity from the beginning.

5) zero a better job with Brown and Trey to help them through their mental struggles. I mean you have 4 coaches so they should have plenty of experience in that area.

I know our guys are getting tired. But our guys are not learning basics and their on the court decisions are not developing from a mental perspective. I have been very unimpressed with our staffs ability to actually coach the game of basketball this year. I expected much more player development from 4 head coaches then we have seen.

Agree

 

[goalieman]

To me it's pretty simple. We can play with even better teams and hold our own
if...and it's a big IF......IF they're playing us man to man on D. Where we struggle
is when we're faced with a zone.
It was mentioned on here by a number of us more than a month ago, that when
teams went to a zone, packed the lane against our drives to the hoop, and
forced us into a perimeter game...we would struggle. Why do you think Trey is
struggling so badly? Why did X eat a number of Spalding burgers last night?
It's pretty clear, defenses have taken the lane away from us...yet we continue
to force it there. We're seeing the result. In A's and Trey's defense, when they
do drive and dish Brown invariably loses the handle and it's another turnover.
If we don't solve this zone issue, it's going to continue.
We've been thoroughly scouted, teams know how to force us into a
perimeter game and we haven't adjusted.

Maybe this will help .......

https://www.championshipproductions...t-Encyclopedia-of-Zone-Offense_BD-03635A.html

 

[Chescat]

Trey had those 2 thirty point games. Other than those 2 games his scoring in ACC games has been mostly disappointing

Yes he did. Why not now?....because they're taking the lane away and you're
now seeing off balance circus shots by him. They want him to shoot from outside,
he wants to drive. They're now forcing us into a perimeter game with the use
of a zone. Sorry for sounding like a broken record, but it's as plain as day to me.

 

[Chescat]

Maybe this will help .......

https://www.championshipproductions...t-Encyclopedia-of-Zone-Offense_BD-03635A.html

HA! Great post Golie. What a sad state of affairs if a college program has to
resort to that. But you know what?....if they don't know and they're not
teaching and practicing these basic concepts in that text you're referencing....
then by all means, they need to buy it and study it.

 

[gary2]

Yes he did. Why not now?....becaause they're taking the lane away and you're
now seeing off balance circus shots by him. They want him to shoot from outside,
he wants to drive. They're now forcing us into a perimeter game with the use
of a zone. Sorry for sounding like a broken record, but it's as plain as day to me.

Trust me, I agree with you. I think I was one who recognized the problems with the zone would likely be continuing. I also tried to temper the early unrealistic rise in expectations

 

[JS School]

I've been pretty upbeat all season, but last night was a real letdown. Hopefully it will be their worst game of the season.

The atmosphere there seemed terrible, I'm not sure how much that can affect a team. With nobody there, you could see the outer concourses behind the seats. It looked like a banquet hall where you would have a wedding reception in the '70s.

 

[Chescat]

Trust me, I agree with you. I think I was one who recognized the problems with the zone would likely be continuing. I also tried to temper the early unrealistic raise in expectations

Well, "the raise in expectations" did happen as you said. Personally I've been
very impressed with what Capel has accomplished. Our intensity, grit, fight,
coupled with how well we attack on both ends of the floor is way better than
average. These are the difficult things in coaching that Capel has done and
done well. This zone crap we've (I've) been discussing is far easier to
accomplish than the harder stuff that Capel has done so well. I'm totally
mystified by this.

 

[JS School]

HA! Great post Golie. What a sad state of affairs if a college program has to
resort to that. But you know what?....if they don't know and they're not
teaching and practicing these basic concepts in that text you're referencing....
then by all means, they need to buy it and study it.

$ 99.99 ? Does Capel have to pay for that out of his own pocket, or does Lyke open up the checkbook?

 

[Cincypittfan]

I am frustrated that with 4 head coaches on our staff we can’t somehow teach these kids:
1) to find a guy to box out,

2) to not follow the guard into the lane in a zone defense and then get burned when the ball handler passes to an open 3 point shooter,

3) run some type of offense that uses more screens and cuts to get better shots instead of X driving on 3 guys or passing to Frame for a ton of 3 pointers or Trey to hesitate and not even take a 3 point shot. We are running some type of AAU drive and kick offense that is very easy to guard. Especially when we can’t shoot.

4) get your players to be emotionally ready to play a road game with some intensity from the beginning.

5) zero a better job with Brown and Trey to help them through their mental struggles. I mean you have 4 coaches so they should have plenty of experience in that area.

I know our guys are getting tired. But our guys are not learning basics and their on the court decisions are not developing from a mental perspective. I have been very unimpressed with our staffs ability to actually coach the game of basketball this year. I expected much more player development from 4 head coaches then we have seen.

I haven't posted in over a year but I had to chime in on number 1 above...Boxing out.
I have watched most of every game this year but I have to avert my eyes when watching this team box out.
Fundamentally some of the worst I have seen.
Rarely do you see them find their man first..They would have won the Wake game had they had the smallest clue of rebounding fundamentals.
They stand under the basket with their arms up and knees locked like a baby bird wanting to be feed.
The defensive effort is solid,shots not dropping..I can live with.
Can't stomach another game watching the rebounding effort.
Would love to see Brown turn to his man with bended knee while the ball is in the air and push him out of the paint...That dude is SOFT
Quit watching the ball and find your man!!!!

 

[levance2]

I don't think it's fair to say Capel is resigned to losing.

...

Capel is trying things, we just don't have the roster to exploit a zone or secure defensive boards.

Saying that we don’t have the roster to beat ANY team in the conference is resigning yourself to losing.

Even close losses to better teams like NCSt or Syracuse should prove that we’re good enough to beat WF, BC, GT, and ND. To me, this is scouting, preparation, and mental focus. Obviously other teams have figured us out and we still run out the same plan every night, whether you attribute that to the coaches or the players.

 

[gary2]

Saying that we don’t have the roster to beat ANY team in the conference is resigning yourself to losing.

Even close losses to better teams like NCSt or Syracuse should prove that we’re good enough to beat WF, BC, GT, and ND. To me, this is scouting, preparation, and mental focus. Obviously other teams have figured us out and we still run out the same plan every night, whether you attribute that to the coaches or the players.

Determine who are your best players are and play the hell out of them. Put them in the best situations to win. Stress to Trey and X that they need to fight through frustration and keep playing. We need them to be our best players.

 

[lilspainishflea]

Saying that we don’t have the roster to beat ANY team in the conference is resigning yourself to losing.

Even close losses to better teams like NCSt or Syracuse should prove that we’re good enough to beat WF, BC, GT, and ND. To me, this is scouting, preparation, and mental focus. Obviously other teams have figured us out and we still run out the same plan every night, whether you attribute that to the coaches or the players.

I think we have the roster to win ACC games. We won 2 of them and we should have beaten WF. It's just a tough go given our roster. It also doesn't help that our winnable ACC games (e.g., WF, BC, GT) are on the road and many of our home opponents (e.g., Duke, UNC) are not winnable regardless of how our team performs.

Expectations were 2-4 ACC wins. We have 2, should have been 3 so we're in the ballpark of where we should be. But we've been in basically every game and that's progress given the last few years.

I do not have any concern that we're on a losing streak.