Waitingwolf wrote: Stats often hide the truth. 
We all know that we have been lucky in that teams have missed a lot of open 3s against us. The 3pt FG% isn't because we have challenged almost every shot. 
When the team decides to talk on D and spend the energy it takes to play team D, then they will win games comfortably.

and they've made a lot too - how many times have we had some guy have career days in PNC?

That frosh Wood for VT - a career day on Sat.

Waitingwolf wrote: Are you really that dense?

Lat in the game, we left one of their guys wide open and he missed. Was that great D on our part?

Only about 33% of 3 pointers are made on average. Are you saying 66% failure rate is due to defense? Or is there some other factor (like 3pt's are hard to make when not gaurded too)

wolfpackernc wrote:
The efforts of the previous coaching staff are taxing the current staff.

LOLOLOL

I think that the lack of depth in the front court has caused the team to not play as hard on D as they perhaps might like to do.  The "tendency" to get into foul trouble in the past is part of that factor, I beleive also.

Whether or not Gott "planned" on getting Jefferson and it did not happen, is another story. 

With the transfer of Harris, De Thaey and Painter (at this point) we do not have significant quality depth in the frontcourt.

It would have been nice to get Jefferson, or some of those others that we did not get (like juco Young, and others - whether because we thought we had Jefferson, or not).  Then with de Thaeu leaving, we only have Warren and Vandy.   Both of them at this point seem to have limited defensive skills.

So the starters have to be aware of their fouls and defisive intensity.

PackDynasty wrote:

Bryanth1a wrote:

PackDynasty wrote: Losing Jefferson to Duke and DeThaey at the start of the year has thrown a monkey wrench in the staff's plans for this year.  I think we counted on both of those guys to be in our rotation, and if they are, Vandy doesn't even see the court.  That would've added two more guys in the paint to spell Leslie and Howell.  Both were sorely needed.

Since then, we've only had six serviceable players until Lewis stepped up.

I can partially buy the theory that Gott's emphasizing them not to get in early foul trouble and to play a little more passive in the first half.  But then we have games like Duke, Carolina, Miami and Virginia where I thought we came out aggressive from the very start.  So I'm not sure if that theory jives with me.

I'm still of the mindset that it's a mixture of two things:  1) Gott is not a defensive-minded coach.  He's more of the Roy Williams mold, and 2) Our upperclassmen -- Leslie, Brown and Howell -- are not vocal enough on the court.  None of them are take charge guys and vocal leaders for the younger players on our team, although I have seem some improvement in this from Brown throughout the year.

I think the combination of all these things is a recipe for where we are today, which is a good, not great, ballclub, and unfortunate victims of all the preseason hype -- where expectations were over-inflated to begin with.

I disagree.  No competent coaching staff is going to make plans to have a kid (Jefferson) in their rotation when he's not even signed a LOI; that's ridiculous. 

As far as TDT, Gott pretty much made it known he wasn't going to be in the rotation.  Even after TDT had some respectable appearances, the kid sat on the bench for consecutive games even when the Pack was playing against out-manned competition.  IMO, Gott mismanaged that situation.

"Ridiculous?"  Maybe you should go back and reference the comments from the coaching staff when Amile announced for Duke.  I remember Hendu, and I'm paraphrasing here, saying that his decision took them "by complete surprise" and that we thought we "had him in the bag."  When you think you're in that position with a guy of his caliber what does it mean?  Well, it means you put off recruiting another big man, for one, since Amile's announcement came so late in the recruiting season.

It's only "ridiculous" to bank on someone who hasn't signed a LOI if you're unsure if you're going to land said player.  The entire time we were recruiting Amile we were listed as his favorite. 

As far as TDT--Tyler Lewis also sat the bench for the first half of the season, and he's now getting plenty of minutes.  TDT wouldn't have?  I thought that Gott should've given DeThaey more minutes earlier in the season, but to think he couldn't have given us some much needed minutes against the bigger and more physical teams on our schedule (the Miamis, Virginias, Marylands, etc) then I'm in severe disagreement with you.  There's no way that Vandy sees minutes in those games if DeThaey is still around.

rswilli2 wrote:

ISEWolfpack2010 wrote: I'm pretty sure it's possible to be pleased with Gott as a coach and yet point out that we should probably be a little better than 7-5 in this ACC, shouldn't be losing to teams like Wake, Maryland, and Virginia, and should be a little better than horrible on defense.

That's exactly where I'm coming from. Asking for him to be fired is ridiculous.

Shush. Either you think Gottfried is the second coming of John Wooden or you hate him and want him to be fired in his second year. No middle ground, dammit!

PackDynasty wrote:

Bryanth1a wrote:

PackDynasty wrote: Losing Jefferson to Duke and DeThaey at the start of the year has thrown a monkey wrench in the staff's plans for this year.  I think we counted on both of those guys to be in our rotation, and if they are, Vandy doesn't even see the court.  That would've added two more guys in the paint to spell Leslie and Howell.  Both were sorely needed.

Since then, we've only had six serviceable players until Lewis stepped up.

I can partially buy the theory that Gott's emphasizing them not to get in early foul trouble and to play a little more passive in the first half.  But then we have games like Duke, Carolina, Miami and Virginia where I thought we came out aggressive from the very start.  So I'm not sure if that theory jives with me.

I'm still of the mindset that it's a mixture of two things:  1) Gott is not a defensive-minded coach.  He's more of the Roy Williams mold, and 2) Our upperclassmen -- Leslie, Brown and Howell -- are not vocal enough on the court.  None of them are take charge guys and vocal leaders for the younger players on our team, although I have seem some improvement in this from Brown throughout the year.

I think the combination of all these things is a recipe for where we are today, which is a good, not great, ballclub, and unfortunate victims of all the preseason hype -- where expectations were over-inflated to begin with.

I disagree.  No competent coaching staff is going to make plans to have a kid (Jefferson) in their rotation when he's not even signed a LOI; that's ridiculous. 

As far as TDT, Gott pretty much made it known he wasn't going to be in the rotation.  Even after TDT had some respectable appearances, the kid sat on the bench for consecutive games even when the Pack was playing against out-manned competition.  IMO, Gott mismanaged that situation.

"Ridiculous?"  Maybe you should go back and reference the comments from the coaching staff when Amile announced for Duke.  I remember Hendu, and I'm paraphrasing here, saying that his decision took them "by complete surprise" and that we thought we "had him in the bag."  When you think you're in that position with a guy of his caliber what does it mean?  Well, it means you put off recruiting another big man, for one, since Amile's announcement came so late in the recruiting season.

It's only "ridiculous" to bank on someone who hasn't signed a LOI if you're unsure if you're going to land said player.  The entire time we were recruiting Amile we were listed as his favorite. 

As far as TDT--Tyler Lewis also sat the bench for the first half of the season, and he's now getting plenty of minutes.  TDT wouldn't have?  I thought that Gott should've given DeThaey more minutes earlier in the season, but to think he couldn't have given us some much needed minutes against the bigger and more physical teams on our schedule (the Miamis, Virginias, Marylands, etc) then I'm in severe disagreement with you.  There's no way that Vandy sees minutes in those games if DeThaey is still around.

I do remember those comments or something similar to those.  However, I stand by my comment...it's ridiculous for any coaching staff to put any trust in a 17 or 18 year-old kid until there's a signed LOI.  You never know how well an opposing coaching staff can sing. 

As far as Tyler Lewis receiving playing time...that happened entirely out of desperation.  If Lorenzo doesn't twist his ankle, Lewis would still be a benchwarmer, receiving insignificant minutes and being judged by Pack Pride posters as not ready or strong enough to compete in the ACC. 

Lastly, you say TDT couldn't compete against bigger or physical teams in the ACC is inaccurate.  When Oklahoma State took the Pack behind the woodshed, TDT was the only player who was capable or willing to battle against them, and the Cowboys were very physical and athletic.

Just wait until Jevoni gets his shot and wins the tourney MVP.

A lot of folks will be questioning the rotation then.

Bryanth1a wrote:

PackDynasty wrote:

Bryanth1a wrote:

PackDynasty wrote: Losing Jefferson to Duke and DeThaey at the start of the year has thrown a monkey wrench in the staff's plans for this year.  I think we counted on both of those guys to be in our rotation, and if they are, Vandy doesn't even see the court.  That would've added two more guys in the paint to spell Leslie and Howell.  Both were sorely needed.

Since then, we've only had six serviceable players until Lewis stepped up.

I can partially buy the theory that Gott's emphasizing them not to get in early foul trouble and to play a little more passive in the first half.  But then we have games like Duke, Carolina, Miami and Virginia where I thought we came out aggressive from the very start.  So I'm not sure if that theory jives with me.

I'm still of the mindset that it's a mixture of two things:  1) Gott is not a defensive-minded coach.  He's more of the Roy Williams mold, and 2) Our upperclassmen -- Leslie, Brown and Howell -- are not vocal enough on the court.  None of them are take charge guys and vocal leaders for the younger players on our team, although I have seem some improvement in this from Brown throughout the year.

I think the combination of all these things is a recipe for where we are today, which is a good, not great, ballclub, and unfortunate victims of all the preseason hype -- where expectations were over-inflated to begin with.

I disagree.  No competent coaching staff is going to make plans to have a kid (Jefferson) in their rotation when he's not even signed a LOI; that's ridiculous. 

As far as TDT, Gott pretty much made it known he wasn't going to be in the rotation.  Even after TDT had some respectable appearances, the kid sat on the bench for consecutive games even when the Pack was playing against out-manned competition.  IMO, Gott mismanaged that situation.

"Ridiculous?"  Maybe you should go back and reference the comments from the coaching staff when Amile announced for Duke.  I remember Hendu, and I'm paraphrasing here, saying that his decision took them "by complete surprise" and that we thought we "had him in the bag."  When you think you're in that position with a guy of his caliber what does it mean?  Well, it means you put off recruiting another big man, for one, since Amile's announcement came so late in the recruiting season.

It's only "ridiculous" to bank on someone who hasn't signed a LOI if you're unsure if you're going to land said player.  The entire time we were recruiting Amile we were listed as his favorite. 

As far as TDT--Tyler Lewis also sat the bench for the first half of the season, and he's now getting plenty of minutes.  TDT wouldn't have?  I thought that Gott should've given DeThaey more minutes earlier in the season, but to think he couldn't have given us some much needed minutes against the bigger and more physical teams on our schedule (the Miamis, Virginias, Marylands, etc) then I'm in severe disagreement with you.  There's no way that Vandy sees minutes in those games if DeThaey is still around.

I do remember those comments or something similar to those.  However, I stand by my comment...it's ridiculous for any coaching staff to put any trust in a 17 or 18 year-old kid until there's a signed LOI.  You never know how well an opposing coaching staff can sing. 

As far as Tyler Lewis receiving playing time...that happened entirely out of desperation.  If Lorenzo doesn't twist his ankle, Lewis would still be a benchwarmer, receiving insignificant minutes and being judged by Pack Pride posters as not ready or strong enough to compete in the ACC. 

Lastly, you say TDT couldn't compete against bigger or physical teams in the ACC is inaccurate.  When Oklahoma State took the Pack behind the woodshed, TDT was the only player who was capable or willing to battle against them, and the Cowboys were very physical and athletic.

The coaching staff doesn't have the luxury of not investing trust in an 18 y/o kid.  They only have 12 scholarships to play with.  You act as if they have all these schollies to hand out.  We can't even keep a roster of 8 because of guys believing they're not getting the playing time they deserve.

So no, we don't have the luxury of being able to recruit over a guy who's listed us as his favorite all along when we have limited scholarships and playing time to go around.  It's just the nature of the game.

Lewis was beginning to get more minutes even before Lo went down with his ankle.  I was telling people three weeks before then that he'd been playing a lot better and deserved the minutes.

As far as TDT you're not comprehending what I said.  I never said he couldn't compete against the bigger, more physical teams on our schedule.  You seemed to be the one saying that he wouldn't have gotten any minutes based on being benched earlier in the season, which I disagreed with.  That's why I brought up Tyler as an example.

^
Okay, my bad. I misunderstood you. It's all good now.