We all can see this team is in some turmoil now and appears to be in a downward spiral that they may not be able to recover from. However, I think Coach Dixon's continuous and random substitution patterns are hurting the team. Case in point, in our four best wins over Notre Dame, Syracuse, FSU and Georgia Tech the starting five of Maia, Artis, Young, Smith and Robinson played 138,130,138 and151 minutes respectively and during those games only Jeter and Chris Jones were the main substitutes and those seven played 184, 179, 177, and 187 minutes. In our 5 losses to Miami, NC State, Clemson, Virginia and Louisville the starting 5 played 116,121,122, 137 and 141 minutes while the top seven played 144,162, 153,155 and 169 minutes. The fewer minutes played by our starting 5 and first 7, the poorer the results.
While watching the Virginia game, probably our biggest home game of the season, while we were only down by 2 at the half, I noticed that the starting 5 was only on the floor together the first 3 & 1/2 minutes of the 2nd half and then were never in the game as a unit for the rest of the game. I found this unusual. While there may be variations game to game for foul trouble, hot shooters, and match-up differences, etc, it seems as though Jamie has strayed from what was working to now almost total confusion. Others on this board have commented on the odd combinations with lack of scorers, rebounders, etc on the floor at the same time. We know this team is flawed on defense, shooting guard and center, but I believe he should re-insert Maia back in the starting line-up for his rebounding, toughness, hustle and team play, have Sheldon be the first sub for his scoring ability (we desperately need a third scorer) and limit the main rotation to 7 or 8 players. Do you realize we rank 12th in the conference in minute played by our starters, ahead of only FSU and GT, and we our dead last in minutes played by our first eight players? I believe playing our entire bench in ACc is hurting the team. If we are going to lo try to make the tournament, at least do so by playing your best players.
While watching the Virginia game, probably our biggest home game of the season, while we were only down by 2 at the half, I noticed that the starting 5 was only on the floor together the first 3 & 1/2 minutes of the 2nd half and then were never in the game as a unit for the rest of the game. I found this unusual. While there may be variations game to game for foul trouble, hot shooters, and match-up differences, etc, it seems as though Jamie has strayed from what was working to now almost total confusion. Others on this board have commented on the odd combinations with lack of scorers, rebounders, etc on the floor at the same time. We know this team is flawed on defense, shooting guard and center, but I believe he should re-insert Maia back in the starting line-up for his rebounding, toughness, hustle and team play, have Sheldon be the first sub for his scoring ability (we desperately need a third scorer) and limit the main rotation to 7 or 8 players. Do you realize we rank 12th in the conference in minute played by our starters, ahead of only FSU and GT, and we our dead last in minutes played by our first eight players? I believe playing our entire bench in ACc is hurting the team. If we are going to lo try to make the tournament, at least do so by playing your best players.
