31-26

[orangecuse]

25-0 put all the focus on us and our freshman point guard. It made it possible for him to be 1 and done. That has had a lot to do with 31-26.

Exactly! Guard play is the most critical factor in college hoops, especially point/lead guard. Our lead guard play the past two years has been, well, being diplomatic, not very good.

 

[HoustonCuse]

25-0 was the biggest bubble since the 2008 wall st meltdown. We all kept saying during the winning streak that the team was pulling out close wins blackjack style. It was like winning on red 25 consecutive spins. And then the odds evened out.

But this is a false argument. Being able to pull out wins like that is the hallmark of a winning team not a sign of impending doom. If this team had that winning trait, we would absolutely have beaten Wisconsin and Clemson and very possibly Pitt as well. What the 25-0 run had is exactly what this ten doesn't; the ability to win games where things aren't perfect, to rise to the occasion at winning time.

 

[SWC75]

Uniform mojo:

Does the guy on the right look like he's playing for the #1 team in the Nation?

 

[FrancoPizza]

But this is a false argument. Being able to pull out wins like that is the hallmark of a winning team not a sign of impending doom. If this team had that winning trait, we would absolutely have beaten Wisconsin and Clemson and very possibly Pitt as well. What the 25-0 run had is exactly what this ten doesn't; the ability to win games where things aren't perfect, to rise to the occasion at winning time.

That argument would make sense, except for the fact that once they started losing the so-called 50/50 games they lost their mojo... and by season's end the team was the opposite of clutch.

 

[HoustonCuse]

That argument would make sense, except for the fact that once they started losing the so-called 50/50 games they lost their mojo... and by season's end the team was the opposite of clutch.

Sure, but they were clutch while winning and it was what allowed them to win. The mythology that the 25-0 run wasn't real or shouldn't have counted is really repellant to me. The fact that team tanked only highlights how impressive it was that they got all those wins.

 

[two3zone]

But this is a false argument. Being able to pull out wins like that is the hallmark of a winning team not a sign of impending doom. If this team had that winning trait, we would absolutely have beaten Wisconsin and Clemson and very possibly Pitt as well. What the 25-0 run had is exactly what this ten doesn't; the ability to win games where things aren't perfect, to rise to the occasion at winning time.

Pulling out wins against St Francis and La Tech are not signs of winners. Pummeling them by 20 like we should is a sign of a winner. Pulling out wins against your peers like Pitt and others you may have an argument but anybody happy with single digit wins against scrub teams shouldn't be shocked by poor play later on.

 

[HOFCeluck]

But this is a false argument. Being able to pull out wins like that is the hallmark of a winning team not a sign of impending doom. If this team had that winning trait, we would absolutely have beaten Wisconsin and Clemson and very possibly Pitt as well. What the 25-0 run had is exactly what this ten doesn't; the ability to win games where things aren't perfect, to rise to the occasion at winning time.

It depends...if you have to pull a win out of your @as at home vs a turd NCSU team...that's not good.

 

[br801]

Pulling out wins against St Francis and La Tech are not signs of winners. Pummeling them by 20 like we should is a sign of a winner. Pulling out wins against your peers like Pitt and others you may have an argument but anybody happy with single digit wins against scrub teams shouldn't be shocked by poor play later on.

Hard to believe as it may be, even historically great college basketball teams (here and at other places) haven't steamrolled every opponent in sight.

 

[Cusefan0307]

We'll see what happens the rest of the year, and I know we had to go to Duke still, but I think we win some games coming up here starting Wednesday.

The trip to Charlottesville doesn't look as daunting as it once did.

 

[hoopsupstate]

We're looking like 1-7 to start the ACC. We will not win at Wake, Duke or Virginia. Don't forget that BC beat us at the Dome to end our 25-0 start two years ago.

 

[two3zone]

Hard to believe as it may be, even historically great college basketball teams (here and at other places) haven't steamrolled every opponent in sight.

If you couldn't tell the difference between the 2012 team and the 25-0 team I don't know what to say. The team showed its flaws.

 

[OrangeFoo]

We've had too many early departures to the NBA and too many busts for the guys who have remained behind.

Why is always the players fault? It's the coaches' job to create program depth and develop players.

 

[SWC75]

Pulling out wins against St Francis and La Tech are not signs of winners. Pummeling them by 20 like we should is a sign of a winner. Pulling out wins against your peers like Pitt and others you may have an argument but anybody happy with single digit wins against scrub teams shouldn't be shocked by poor play later on.

I'd like to pull out some wins. I don't care what it makes us.

 

[SWC75]

Why is always the players fault? It's the coaches' job to create program depth and develop players.

The players create depth by proving to the coach that they belong out there. We've gone 8-9 deep when the players have proven themselves. Other years we've been 6-7 deep. Only having 9 scholarship players available this year made the latter more likely this season.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Why is always the players fault? It's the coaches' job to create program depth and develop players.

Where in my post am I assigning blame?

I'm simply explaining the facts.

 

[orange79]

10-18 in ACC play. I guarantee we never had a stretch that bad in the Big East.

Worst we had in the BE in any 28 game stretch was 13-15.

 

[HOFCeluck]

The players create depth by proving to the coach that they belong out there. We've gone 8-9 deep when the players have proven themselves. Other years we've been 6-7 deep. Only having 9 scholarship players available this year made the latter more likely this season.

You honestly don't think, to some extent, that falls on the coaches?

 

[Townie72]

Malachi, Lydon and Battle could potentially go in 2017.

Mal looks to be the most talented at the moment. He's starting to remind me of James Harden.

Lost in the whining and recriminations about this string of loses is any significant commentary on just how good Malachi is. He is a tremendous player. I'm not sure how good an NBA player will be. But he is very good now and his upside is tremendous.

 

[rrlbees]

Lost in the whining and recriminations about this string of loses is any significant commentary on just how good Malachi is. He is a tremendous player. I'm not sure how good an NBA player will be. But he is very good now and his upside is tremendous.

I think he is great and exceeds my expectations. I figured him as a 3 point shooter. That has come and gone but he is a far better rebounder than I expected, has a better handle than I expected and goes to the basket better than I expected. He has the whole offensive package. It's just a matter of experience now. He has struggled defensively but that's not unusual for a freshman.

 

[realorange]

Uniform mojo:

Does the guy on the right look like he's playing for the #1 team in the Nation?

Looks like the last guy on the team that had to wear what was left of the uniforms.

 

[Knicks411]

But this is a false argument. Being able to pull out wins like that is the hallmark of a winning team not a sign of impending doom. If this team had that winning trait, we would absolutely have beaten Wisconsin and Clemson and very possibly Pitt as well. What the 25-0 run had is exactly what this ten doesn't; the ability to win games where things aren't perfect, to rise to the occasion at winning time.

I think it's more that playing close games with mediocre teams, win or lose, isn't a good sign.

Don't know if this is as true in college, but generally, in pro sports, the records of teams in close games is usually pretty close to 500 and doesn't have a ton to do with how good the team is. ( i think that made sense)

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Diange + loss of schollies + apparent miss on KJ = now

If we had Bryant things might be a lot different. He is putting up 11.9/5.0 in 22 minutes per game for a 13-3 team that doesn't seem any better than we are.

 

[Kowbelkat]

The players create depth by proving to the coach that they belong out there. We've gone 8-9 deep when the players have proven themselves. Other years we've been 6-7 deep. Only having 9 scholarship players available this year made the latter more likely this season.

Larry Brown has 6 Scholorship players and is undefeated

 

[jdubs30]

Larry Brown has 6 Scholorship players and is undefeated

They play in the American

 

[jdubs30]

Tyler Ennis leaving really screwed us. I'm happy that Tyler got paid -- but if he stayed we don't self impose the ban last year and make the tourney with Rak. Tyler and Rak both leave then we get banned this year and build for Battle/Moyer/Chukwu next year. Who knows how KJ would have progressed with a full year learning from someone like Tyler instead of being thrown in the fire and having no real idea on how to do it.