Seems like I was quite wrong about this team. I really thought they had a chance to develop into the second best team in the league. A whole different league from Duke, but I thought their ceiling was that high. Hard to say what has happened to this team over the last couple of weeks. Sure, the Mississippi State game was an eye opener and alarming. This is getting bad quickly.
That game at Florida State was beyond awful. No idea what we watched in that game. Minimal effort, embarrassing leadership. No poise or composure. This game today is somewhat acceptable. There was effort and intensity. Clemson is a good team. Hunter is in his 12th college season. No shame in losing this one in overtime really.
The issue to me is how, and these other games. Terrible decision making. Terrible shot selection. Inconsistent toughness and intensity. This team does not seem capable of functioning at a high level down the stretch in big moments. That team that was excited and energetic with confidence earlier in the season seems to be gone. There are moments. It's not over. But once again, they have put themselves in a big hole.
The good news is that this league is bad. However, that is also the bad news. There are only going to be a few more chances for quad 1 wins. The league is not going to get many teams at the end of this. I felt like you need to be in that top five of the league with a good resume to feel comfortable. It is probably a five team league. Right now, this team is in the middle of the pack. They are not in the Clemson, Louisville, Wake, UNC, SMU tier.
There is no offense or structure. Nothing easy. They basically need Jaland and Ish to play well and shoot the ball well. But even then, they almost have no chance right now. I don't care who you are, it is just so difficult to dribble for 20 seconds and then shoot a separation, step-back three that is contested. The same issues they've had at center are creeping back up. There is a challenge with catching the ball inside. There is also a problem with guards throwing terrible passes and not understanding who and when. Jaland is a really good player, but his decision making has been very disappointing this season overall. We are talking about a kid that was born with the basketball in his hands and is a textbook point guard prospect. He played a lot last season. Rarely ever comes off the floor this year. He has to start making better decisions and taking care of the ball. Some of the shot selection is just atrocious. There is no feel for timing and when to defer. Ish is throwing passes that some freshmen try, leaving the feet and just throwing it up in the air cross court. I think they are pressing.
Don't know where this goes. The back court is underperforming a bit, but they need help. This staff has to find a way to get more ball movement and involvement. No idea why the bench has disappeared and changed either. For this team to reach the level I thought they were capable of, that included Brandin Cummings developing. It included someone developing inside. They have an older 6'7 international wing that appears nowhere close and doesn't even need to shower. It may not always be perfect or what you want to see. But you have to develop a roster. Not one player. Not one position. You have to maximize the roster that you have. You built and orchestrated it, so maximize it.
There are wins on this schedule. Syracuse, Miami, BC, etc - all terrible teams. Clemson has also became the old NC State apparently for this program. They have not quit. Today hurts, but only because of the prior losses as well. It has built. This group does seem to put things behind them and move on. There is still a path for this group because there is talent. But I am afraid that it may just be too late for what they need.
That game at Florida State was beyond awful. No idea what we watched in that game. Minimal effort, embarrassing leadership. No poise or composure. This game today is somewhat acceptable. There was effort and intensity. Clemson is a good team. Hunter is in his 12th college season. No shame in losing this one in overtime really.
The issue to me is how, and these other games. Terrible decision making. Terrible shot selection. Inconsistent toughness and intensity. This team does not seem capable of functioning at a high level down the stretch in big moments. That team that was excited and energetic with confidence earlier in the season seems to be gone. There are moments. It's not over. But once again, they have put themselves in a big hole.
The good news is that this league is bad. However, that is also the bad news. There are only going to be a few more chances for quad 1 wins. The league is not going to get many teams at the end of this. I felt like you need to be in that top five of the league with a good resume to feel comfortable. It is probably a five team league. Right now, this team is in the middle of the pack. They are not in the Clemson, Louisville, Wake, UNC, SMU tier.
There is no offense or structure. Nothing easy. They basically need Jaland and Ish to play well and shoot the ball well. But even then, they almost have no chance right now. I don't care who you are, it is just so difficult to dribble for 20 seconds and then shoot a separation, step-back three that is contested. The same issues they've had at center are creeping back up. There is a challenge with catching the ball inside. There is also a problem with guards throwing terrible passes and not understanding who and when. Jaland is a really good player, but his decision making has been very disappointing this season overall. We are talking about a kid that was born with the basketball in his hands and is a textbook point guard prospect. He played a lot last season. Rarely ever comes off the floor this year. He has to start making better decisions and taking care of the ball. Some of the shot selection is just atrocious. There is no feel for timing and when to defer. Ish is throwing passes that some freshmen try, leaving the feet and just throwing it up in the air cross court. I think they are pressing.
Don't know where this goes. The back court is underperforming a bit, but they need help. This staff has to find a way to get more ball movement and involvement. No idea why the bench has disappeared and changed either. For this team to reach the level I thought they were capable of, that included Brandin Cummings developing. It included someone developing inside. They have an older 6'7 international wing that appears nowhere close and doesn't even need to shower. It may not always be perfect or what you want to see. But you have to develop a roster. Not one player. Not one position. You have to maximize the roster that you have. You built and orchestrated it, so maximize it.
There are wins on this schedule. Syracuse, Miami, BC, etc - all terrible teams. Clemson has also became the old NC State apparently for this program. They have not quit. Today hurts, but only because of the prior losses as well. It has built. This group does seem to put things behind them and move on. There is still a path for this group because there is talent. But I am afraid that it may just be too late for what they need.
