This team is so far ahead of where I anticipated. How they have responded after the rough start is incredible to me. This team, compared to the one vs. West Virginia. How can it be in the same year? Completely unrecognizable.
Jeff Capel has deserved criticism and heat. It's not about being a hater or being wrong. I think he would tell you himself that he didn't get it done. The experience has been a disaster. Until now. Now is where he deserves a ton of credit. After this start, after the previous seasons, you know how easy it could have been to go down another lost season. Instead, he kept the group locked in and above the adversity. He is doing this without John Hugley and Dior Johnson as well. It has been an incredible job.
As far as John goes, this is probably the best thing that could have happened. He sees now that the team does not necessarily need him, and that he is just a piece. THat is critical. This is a true team, for the first time. They play hard, they play together, and they have fun. A deficit that would have buried them before is no longer such an obstacle. If John can get himself right and return, it will help give them a 1-2 tandem at center. I don't think this season will be what any of us thought for John, but that is okay. Hopefully he has developed a new perspective and just contributes this season.
Have to start with Jamarius. He is playing at an all ACC first team level. His toughness has rubbed off on this program. I knew this team's floor was higher, but the ceiling is at a whole different level because of Burton. I wasn't sure if they had "that guy." I was wrong, and they have him in JB.
The other kid I want to call out is Nike. Preseason and beginning of the year, I felt for him. He looked like a shell of himself. No confidence, wasn't trusting the body. Similar to this team, he stuck with it and pulled through. This is the player that we knew that he could be. I think he deserves a ton of credit for this team taking another step over the last couple of weeks. He may become the best sixth man in the conference.
Not only finding Hinson, but molding him into this attack has been impressive by Capel. Blake is REALLY talented, but he is also a challenge. Getting him to buy in and play within this team structure stands out to me.
This entire team has kind of taken on this persona overnight. Blake can miss 10 shots in a row, but it doesn't phase him. He is taking the eleventh at any time. Most of the team is this way. It really is incredible. There is tangible culture and leadership now. Teammates playing for each other.
Capel may have this thing really rolling right now. The league is really bad, and you just beat two of the contenders by January 4th. There is no reason this team can't contend for a top 3-4 finish in this conference. When I do these matchups, the talent level is close to the Carolinas, Virginias, and Miamis. Really close, and better than most of the others. When you consider how they play and the style, it adds even more. There is obviously a lot of season left and there is no reason to hand out t shirts and hats right now. But I don't know how you could ask for more than this right now. They are in a prime position to really contend for this thing.
Not only right now, but Capel has this thing rocking for the future as well. I really really like this 2023 class. That is a very nice 1-2-3 moving forward for the future. A strong season can help even more, and most of the recruiting could be done for a few years.
Who knows what happens the rest of the way or what they can accomplish, but once again they have a chance against anyone every single night. It has been too long. Enjoy.
Jeff Capel has deserved criticism and heat. It's not about being a hater or being wrong. I think he would tell you himself that he didn't get it done. The experience has been a disaster. Until now. Now is where he deserves a ton of credit. After this start, after the previous seasons, you know how easy it could have been to go down another lost season. Instead, he kept the group locked in and above the adversity. He is doing this without John Hugley and Dior Johnson as well. It has been an incredible job.
As far as John goes, this is probably the best thing that could have happened. He sees now that the team does not necessarily need him, and that he is just a piece. THat is critical. This is a true team, for the first time. They play hard, they play together, and they have fun. A deficit that would have buried them before is no longer such an obstacle. If John can get himself right and return, it will help give them a 1-2 tandem at center. I don't think this season will be what any of us thought for John, but that is okay. Hopefully he has developed a new perspective and just contributes this season.
Have to start with Jamarius. He is playing at an all ACC first team level. His toughness has rubbed off on this program. I knew this team's floor was higher, but the ceiling is at a whole different level because of Burton. I wasn't sure if they had "that guy." I was wrong, and they have him in JB.
The other kid I want to call out is Nike. Preseason and beginning of the year, I felt for him. He looked like a shell of himself. No confidence, wasn't trusting the body. Similar to this team, he stuck with it and pulled through. This is the player that we knew that he could be. I think he deserves a ton of credit for this team taking another step over the last couple of weeks. He may become the best sixth man in the conference.
Not only finding Hinson, but molding him into this attack has been impressive by Capel. Blake is REALLY talented, but he is also a challenge. Getting him to buy in and play within this team structure stands out to me.
This entire team has kind of taken on this persona overnight. Blake can miss 10 shots in a row, but it doesn't phase him. He is taking the eleventh at any time. Most of the team is this way. It really is incredible. There is tangible culture and leadership now. Teammates playing for each other.
Capel may have this thing really rolling right now. The league is really bad, and you just beat two of the contenders by January 4th. There is no reason this team can't contend for a top 3-4 finish in this conference. When I do these matchups, the talent level is close to the Carolinas, Virginias, and Miamis. Really close, and better than most of the others. When you consider how they play and the style, it adds even more. There is obviously a lot of season left and there is no reason to hand out t shirts and hats right now. But I don't know how you could ask for more than this right now. They are in a prime position to really contend for this thing.
Not only right now, but Capel has this thing rocking for the future as well. I really really like this 2023 class. That is a very nice 1-2-3 moving forward for the future. A strong season can help even more, and most of the recruiting could be done for a few years.
Who knows what happens the rest of the way or what they can accomplish, but once again they have a chance against anyone every single night. It has been too long. Enjoy.
