** Back in the mid-2000’s, perhaps some of you may remember the song “How Do You Like Me Now?” that was played at the Pete after most of our many home wins.
** Many liked the song, especially because when you heard it, it meant the Panthers were victorious. We heard that song a lot.
** But there were a few, among which I was one, who hated that damn crappy country song. I recall many threads on the PantherLair suggesting any number of songs that could be adopted to be played at the Pete instead. These were fun times, debating the best song for Panther wins.
** Fast forward about 15 years later to the PantherLair game thread tonight. A few of us joined together for fun (or silly) times aimed at getting through this game, offering up some appropriate song and lyric ideas for our current Panthers.
** Truth to told, none of this was really very fun at all. Mostly, deep down, it was sad. Which of course was appropriate for one of, if not the most sad game in this mostly discouraging season.
** Before I make this next comment, I want to be 100% clear that by no means do I actually think what I’m going to say to actually true by any stretch. But today, Heather Lyke said: “This team is dialed in and unselfish. They believe in Coach Capel, he’s not lost the team by any stretch.” It’s almost as if they played today to make the point that this wasn’t true.
** There were so many things wrong today, but I will start with something incredibly startling, Not one Panther player grabbed an offensive rebound. Not one. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that. I think that is statistically almost impossible.
** At the very least, it points to a complete lack of effort, poor offensive execution, and even worse shot selection. Even for a really bad offensive team, this was a really bad offensive performance.
** We stunk on the other end too, as Virginia Tech was able to score plenty with ease without the completely sizzling shooting we saw in the last game's first half.
** I also saw some of the worst hedge defense the Panthers have played all year long. They were completely lost on when and how to double team.
** It wasn’t on a hedge, but later in the game, I watched John Hugley make one of the worse defensive decisions I’ve seen in quite some time. He played off of his man at the wing on the three point line to help on a face up player in the corner. By the time he almost got there, the Va Tech corner man just passed right back to John’s man for a wide open three. He missed it, but I just shook my head.
** I’m not going to pile on any more. Instead I will give compliments once again to Mo for fine effort and even better shooting. And Femi didn’t exactly play well, but he at least made a showing. That’s the end of the list of the Panthers who deserve mention.
** I also don’t necessarily want to pile on Coach Capel. But it didn’t even feel like his heart was in this one either. He waited to call his first time out at the end of a 16-0 run. I don’t recall him calling another.
** Through most of his four years, we’ve seen true passion, if not excessive exasperation, from Jeff during most poor Panther performances. I saw none of that today. Maybe he’s just out of answers and he knows it. Maybe he knows more than that.
** From my end, I will continue to suggest what should be Capel’s fate will be completely clear by the time this year is over. For even some of Capel more ardent supporters, it my already be clear now.
** I’m not sure if there a song that sums all of my thoughts. But there is a General Daniel Butterfield tune that crossed my mind.
** Many liked the song, especially because when you heard it, it meant the Panthers were victorious. We heard that song a lot.
** But there were a few, among which I was one, who hated that damn crappy country song. I recall many threads on the PantherLair suggesting any number of songs that could be adopted to be played at the Pete instead. These were fun times, debating the best song for Panther wins.
** Fast forward about 15 years later to the PantherLair game thread tonight. A few of us joined together for fun (or silly) times aimed at getting through this game, offering up some appropriate song and lyric ideas for our current Panthers.
** Truth to told, none of this was really very fun at all. Mostly, deep down, it was sad. Which of course was appropriate for one of, if not the most sad game in this mostly discouraging season.
** Before I make this next comment, I want to be 100% clear that by no means do I actually think what I’m going to say to actually true by any stretch. But today, Heather Lyke said: “This team is dialed in and unselfish. They believe in Coach Capel, he’s not lost the team by any stretch.” It’s almost as if they played today to make the point that this wasn’t true.
** There were so many things wrong today, but I will start with something incredibly startling, Not one Panther player grabbed an offensive rebound. Not one. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that. I think that is statistically almost impossible.
** At the very least, it points to a complete lack of effort, poor offensive execution, and even worse shot selection. Even for a really bad offensive team, this was a really bad offensive performance.
** We stunk on the other end too, as Virginia Tech was able to score plenty with ease without the completely sizzling shooting we saw in the last game's first half.
** I also saw some of the worst hedge defense the Panthers have played all year long. They were completely lost on when and how to double team.
** It wasn’t on a hedge, but later in the game, I watched John Hugley make one of the worse defensive decisions I’ve seen in quite some time. He played off of his man at the wing on the three point line to help on a face up player in the corner. By the time he almost got there, the Va Tech corner man just passed right back to John’s man for a wide open three. He missed it, but I just shook my head.
** I’m not going to pile on any more. Instead I will give compliments once again to Mo for fine effort and even better shooting. And Femi didn’t exactly play well, but he at least made a showing. That’s the end of the list of the Panthers who deserve mention.
** I also don’t necessarily want to pile on Coach Capel. But it didn’t even feel like his heart was in this one either. He waited to call his first time out at the end of a 16-0 run. I don’t recall him calling another.
** Through most of his four years, we’ve seen true passion, if not excessive exasperation, from Jeff during most poor Panther performances. I saw none of that today. Maybe he’s just out of answers and he knows it. Maybe he knows more than that.
** From my end, I will continue to suggest what should be Capel’s fate will be completely clear by the time this year is over. For even some of Capel more ardent supporters, it my already be clear now.
** I’m not sure if there a song that sums all of my thoughts. But there is a General Daniel Butterfield tune that crossed my mind.
