I know there are lots of threads on the game going in different directions. But let's discuss how we took this one and does it translate into something that is gelling at the right time.
What a great win!
!. I am a Coach L fan. But I certainly have been critical of some schemes (assuming the players weren't just ignoring him). But I have noticed, and pointed out, that he has been working more off the bench into the rotation depending on the opposition. Last night we had the eight play between 19 and 32 minutes, that is an effective balance. Izzy had the 19 minutes and managed to shoot 5-6 and 2-2 on FTs, pretty good production from the least played guy. He also had 5 boards and a steal.
2. I have liked Newton and Lykes starting together and generally take some of the ball control pressure off of Newton who plays better that way. We need Newton on D so it is important to decrease his responsibility on the offense. He has looked much better of late because of playing more of a 2 than 1. Though in our offense the positions really aren't that well defined.
3. Free throws have been horrible all season but in the last several games we eeked into the 70%s and against Boston mid 80%s and last 92.3! NC shot 65%. Amazing to be able to say we won this game at the stripe! Or at the very least we didn't lose it there.
4. The team has dropped the number of threes taken considerably. We had been consistently taking around 50% of our shots (sometimes more) beyond the arc. last night about a third. NC was right at 50% on the number of threes taken. I follow this closely because it is very rare to win when 50% of your shots are threes. So I'm pleased that our shot selection in this regard has improved.
5. Our assists/TO ratio was not great but it was positive and about the same as NC. This is an area that can get better but has been improving from having many games where that ratio was about even or even negative. In a game that was at a pace as last nights, that ratio is going to be tight in most cases, we did well. But as said, more importantly, it has been getting better.
This team has the talent to play deep into the tournament. The question is have they turned the corner as to consistency. I hope so, But blowing big leads seems to still be an issue regardless of the opposition. Much of the improvement has been between the ears. And it is there that the consistency woes must be defeated. I think playing all eight effectively will help the consistency, I just hope it isn't too late. If we exit the ACC or the dance early, it will likely be due to inconsistency. All in all last night was fun, but hopefully, we don't have to rely on a 30 plus foot shot to win very often.
What a great win!
!. I am a Coach L fan. But I certainly have been critical of some schemes (assuming the players weren't just ignoring him). But I have noticed, and pointed out, that he has been working more off the bench into the rotation depending on the opposition. Last night we had the eight play between 19 and 32 minutes, that is an effective balance. Izzy had the 19 minutes and managed to shoot 5-6 and 2-2 on FTs, pretty good production from the least played guy. He also had 5 boards and a steal.
2. I have liked Newton and Lykes starting together and generally take some of the ball control pressure off of Newton who plays better that way. We need Newton on D so it is important to decrease his responsibility on the offense. He has looked much better of late because of playing more of a 2 than 1. Though in our offense the positions really aren't that well defined.
3. Free throws have been horrible all season but in the last several games we eeked into the 70%s and against Boston mid 80%s and last 92.3! NC shot 65%. Amazing to be able to say we won this game at the stripe! Or at the very least we didn't lose it there.
4. The team has dropped the number of threes taken considerably. We had been consistently taking around 50% of our shots (sometimes more) beyond the arc. last night about a third. NC was right at 50% on the number of threes taken. I follow this closely because it is very rare to win when 50% of your shots are threes. So I'm pleased that our shot selection in this regard has improved.
5. Our assists/TO ratio was not great but it was positive and about the same as NC. This is an area that can get better but has been improving from having many games where that ratio was about even or even negative. In a game that was at a pace as last nights, that ratio is going to be tight in most cases, we did well. But as said, more importantly, it has been getting better.
This team has the talent to play deep into the tournament. The question is have they turned the corner as to consistency. I hope so, But blowing big leads seems to still be an issue regardless of the opposition. Much of the improvement has been between the ears. And it is there that the consistency woes must be defeated. I think playing all eight effectively will help the consistency, I just hope it isn't too late. If we exit the ACC or the dance early, it will likely be due to inconsistency. All in all last night was fun, but hopefully, we don't have to rely on a 30 plus foot shot to win very often.
