The patten has been set that this team keeps getting in a big hole in the first half, particularly on the road, then scrap to make it a game the second half.
Also, this team's confidence on offense is shot (That is why they are struggling to hit anything near the basket or short bunnies, as well as at the FT line), and that has trickled down and disheartened the team and the defenses is not near as good, either.
Now earlier in the season HCJC was more prone to using half, quarter and full court pressure during the course of the game but as the ACC schedule has carried on, he pretty much only uses it when they are doing the desperate scramble to try to pull out a miracle victory late in the game.
He also tends to hold off on switching to the zone until they are down a good bit.
IMO, the goal is to scratch out two more wins, and despite a short bench his short bench, IMO, he should try to change up the dynamic and work the defense. We saw with both Clemson and yesterday with VT that their shooters just were too comfortable, until yesterday he started switching the defense. They still hit the key threes to keep the lead, but they clearly were not as relaxed and accurate shooting generally when the defense was changed up.
It will require playing Murphy and Drumgoole at least 15 or so minutes a game, but he has to come into each game having the team ready to play multiple defenses, and have them go into extended pressure defenses for significant portions of the game, even in the first half. Does not have to be full court pressure for half the game, but use some variations of extended defense for at least roughly half of each half.
ACC play, this late in season, every other team is scrapping to close out their season strong. With their confidence so shaken, hard to see that kind of game where they just go off shooting from the perimeter, their best chance to pull some wins out is going to be winning ugly.
IMO, gotta PLAN for that going in, not just wait until the game goes to $hit to fall back into it.
Also, this team's confidence on offense is shot (That is why they are struggling to hit anything near the basket or short bunnies, as well as at the FT line), and that has trickled down and disheartened the team and the defenses is not near as good, either.
Now earlier in the season HCJC was more prone to using half, quarter and full court pressure during the course of the game but as the ACC schedule has carried on, he pretty much only uses it when they are doing the desperate scramble to try to pull out a miracle victory late in the game.
He also tends to hold off on switching to the zone until they are down a good bit.
IMO, the goal is to scratch out two more wins, and despite a short bench his short bench, IMO, he should try to change up the dynamic and work the defense. We saw with both Clemson and yesterday with VT that their shooters just were too comfortable, until yesterday he started switching the defense. They still hit the key threes to keep the lead, but they clearly were not as relaxed and accurate shooting generally when the defense was changed up.
It will require playing Murphy and Drumgoole at least 15 or so minutes a game, but he has to come into each game having the team ready to play multiple defenses, and have them go into extended pressure defenses for significant portions of the game, even in the first half. Does not have to be full court pressure for half the game, but use some variations of extended defense for at least roughly half of each half.
ACC play, this late in season, every other team is scrapping to close out their season strong. With their confidence so shaken, hard to see that kind of game where they just go off shooting from the perimeter, their best chance to pull some wins out is going to be winning ugly.
IMO, gotta PLAN for that going in, not just wait until the game goes to $hit to fall back into it.
