Another tough loss. This team is a handful of plays away from 4-2. .500 at least. I am not a big fan of the hypotheticals but it just feels so frustrating for this team. They can't seem to catch a break right now. This is an important time. They need to continue to work and fight through this, instead of letting it free fall. They have a winnable game Saturday. It has to be a 1-0 mentality the rest of the way. Otherwise, it can get away from them.
The officiating was awful. Nothing for me to add. They were out to make a point and be seen from the jump. For as painful as it was, I loved Capel's comment about how good teams get calls. This is a fine line here. These kids need coached hard and tough love, but you have to be careful that it's not too extreme with such a young group.
No matter how painful it is, this team is closer. A product of that is the league being down. But still. Right now they are -4/ per game in league play. And they haven't played well. The margin is closing, just not as fast as we would hope.
A big reason for that is the play of Xavier. He was electric and explosive last year. It has not been the case this year. This team isn't getting much point guard play at all, and they are still in most games. Every shot seems contested and difficult because the ball isn't moving. There are not enough possessions either, as the decision making and turnovers are not improving.
Trey is doing what he can right now. Not sure 22 shot attempts is ideal, but who else is taking the ball right now? Justin has developed to the point where he may be the most naturally talented player on the team. Not saying that he is the best or most productive yet, but most naturally talented and gifted.
Maybe this team is learning how to navigate this league. The response after the Miami game was impressive to me. They came out ready and played well. It was the opposite against Miami. It is difficult because each game seems to be something different. Each one is going to be a challenge offensively. You can just see that they are still young and inexperienced. When they get a league on these teams, there is no heightened awareness. They just seem happy and excited to be scoring and experiencing momentum. No one is looking to step on the opponent's throat. The blood is in the water but no one can smell it.
They have put themselves in a hole for sure. The next two games are winnable, and they are basically must wins at this point. If they can somehow win the next two, it will keep them "alive." You have seen this league now for a few weeks. It is not very good. At Duke and at Florida State are probably the only two games on the schedule that this team can't win. You could find a way they win any of the others. Of course they won't, just saying that this year's schedule is not nearly as difficult and the talent on the team is closer. It would certainly feel a lot different had they found a way in just one of these losses. This is a critical time, as they either fight through it and stay relevant or go on a slide.
The officiating was awful. Nothing for me to add. They were out to make a point and be seen from the jump. For as painful as it was, I loved Capel's comment about how good teams get calls. This is a fine line here. These kids need coached hard and tough love, but you have to be careful that it's not too extreme with such a young group.
No matter how painful it is, this team is closer. A product of that is the league being down. But still. Right now they are -4/ per game in league play. And they haven't played well. The margin is closing, just not as fast as we would hope.
A big reason for that is the play of Xavier. He was electric and explosive last year. It has not been the case this year. This team isn't getting much point guard play at all, and they are still in most games. Every shot seems contested and difficult because the ball isn't moving. There are not enough possessions either, as the decision making and turnovers are not improving.
Trey is doing what he can right now. Not sure 22 shot attempts is ideal, but who else is taking the ball right now? Justin has developed to the point where he may be the most naturally talented player on the team. Not saying that he is the best or most productive yet, but most naturally talented and gifted.
Maybe this team is learning how to navigate this league. The response after the Miami game was impressive to me. They came out ready and played well. It was the opposite against Miami. It is difficult because each game seems to be something different. Each one is going to be a challenge offensively. You can just see that they are still young and inexperienced. When they get a league on these teams, there is no heightened awareness. They just seem happy and excited to be scoring and experiencing momentum. No one is looking to step on the opponent's throat. The blood is in the water but no one can smell it.
They have put themselves in a hole for sure. The next two games are winnable, and they are basically must wins at this point. If they can somehow win the next two, it will keep them "alive." You have seen this league now for a few weeks. It is not very good. At Duke and at Florida State are probably the only two games on the schedule that this team can't win. You could find a way they win any of the others. Of course they won't, just saying that this year's schedule is not nearly as difficult and the talent on the team is closer. It would certainly feel a lot different had they found a way in just one of these losses. This is a critical time, as they either fight through it and stay relevant or go on a slide.
