Great night. Took 3 young sons and had as good as seats (and parking pass) as I've had at a big time sporting event in several years. About 15 rows behind the commentators. Tix were from a friend of a friend who apparently played for NC State years ago.
1. Cuse fans were fantastic. Really amazed by the turnout, and with 3 to go the lets go orange chants were awesome. I saw one Cuse fan waiving goodbye to the State fans as they left the stadium like a fool, but otherwise what a showing.
2. KJ and Waiters are clearly the 2 best players on this team. With them you add (1) scoop or triche (2) fair (unless JS is hot) and (3) Melo (unless his D and boards are weak, as last night, and bring in Keita. Really a great set of options. The no great player criticism is legitimate, but Joseph is really impressive live. The State fans behind me were constantly talking about him.
3. The defense was really exposed in the middle at periods. Good coaching by State, CJ Williams is simply really good, and other State players also spotted up and hit the foul line jumper as well.
4. Triche did not play well, of course, but thats the nature of this team. If you dont play well, unless you are KJ, you are gonna sit. He kept coming in ready to make amends, and each time I was sure he was going to go off, but then he'd make one bad play and come back out. As best I can tell, it was his failure to collapse a bit to the middle of the zone to defend the guy spotting, more than anything that JB was getting frustrated with.
5. I've generally not been a big fan of the coach by fear method -- if you make a mistake you come out -- but with this team it makes sense. Scoop missed a 3 early in the game, good look, fine decision, just deep. As he started to defend, he saw MCW coming in and cursed, he knew that shot cost him some minutes. His attitude seeems fantastic this year. Everyone seems to be really buying in.
6. Only saw MCW for 2 minutes, so not much to see, but great first step. Cannot way to him get more time next year if not this year. It does not appear he has a weakness.
7. Southerland was huge, but if he is not able to shoot while he moves towards the basket, he really seems an average shooter or worse. He still has a key role, and I love his D and "activeness" but he is no Rautins or McNamara in their ability to peel of screens, etc.
8. Cuse was at our hotel and we saw them load up on the bus pre-game. My kids are Cusers for life, for better or worse.
1. Cuse fans were fantastic. Really amazed by the turnout, and with 3 to go the lets go orange chants were awesome. I saw one Cuse fan waiving goodbye to the State fans as they left the stadium like a fool, but otherwise what a showing.
2. KJ and Waiters are clearly the 2 best players on this team. With them you add (1) scoop or triche (2) fair (unless JS is hot) and (3) Melo (unless his D and boards are weak, as last night, and bring in Keita. Really a great set of options. The no great player criticism is legitimate, but Joseph is really impressive live. The State fans behind me were constantly talking about him.
3. The defense was really exposed in the middle at periods. Good coaching by State, CJ Williams is simply really good, and other State players also spotted up and hit the foul line jumper as well.
4. Triche did not play well, of course, but thats the nature of this team. If you dont play well, unless you are KJ, you are gonna sit. He kept coming in ready to make amends, and each time I was sure he was going to go off, but then he'd make one bad play and come back out. As best I can tell, it was his failure to collapse a bit to the middle of the zone to defend the guy spotting, more than anything that JB was getting frustrated with.
5. I've generally not been a big fan of the coach by fear method -- if you make a mistake you come out -- but with this team it makes sense. Scoop missed a 3 early in the game, good look, fine decision, just deep. As he started to defend, he saw MCW coming in and cursed, he knew that shot cost him some minutes. His attitude seeems fantastic this year. Everyone seems to be really buying in.
6. Only saw MCW for 2 minutes, so not much to see, but great first step. Cannot way to him get more time next year if not this year. It does not appear he has a weakness.
7. Southerland was huge, but if he is not able to shoot while he moves towards the basket, he really seems an average shooter or worse. He still has a key role, and I love his D and "activeness" but he is no Rautins or McNamara in their ability to peel of screens, etc.
8. Cuse was at our hotel and we saw them load up on the bus pre-game. My kids are Cusers for life, for better or worse.
