Just some thoughts...

[Jake]

Saw up close the difference in toughness in these two teams, and it is substantial. UNC is a much bigger team, but they are charmin soft. Laughably soft.

Give Rak credit , he made 3-4 hustle toughness plays against bigger people that were huge today. I thought he had a huge impact n the game when it was close.

CJ and Jerami were so important in the first half. Jerami did a great job exploiting his first step quickness early on the game creating advantages and C J played like an all American taking and making challenged shots.

I know Trevor did not shoot well, but his presence still demanded constant attention by Carolina's defense and opened things up for teammates.

Cannot emphasize how good Ennis is. Even in games where some fans are getting on him. He's so freaking good it's amazing. He splits double teams so easily and creates advantages. Never panics...I don't know how you can complain about his game... He is soo money.

Nice minutes for gbinije today. Very comfortable in his role.

We will need Dajuan down the road , but that was a good win.

Unc is big, but they are soft, suspect shooters, and frankly, I don't think their coach is very good. Take off the uniforms and they kinda look like a Providence team.

 

[jvbj01]

Saw up close the difference in toughness in these two teams, and it is substantial. UNC is a much bigger team, but they are charmin soft. Laughably soft.

Give Rak credit , he made 3-4 hustle toughness plays against bigger people that were huge today. I thought he had a huge impact n the game when it was close.

CJ and Jerami were so important in the first half. Jerami did a great job exploiting his first step quickness early on the game creating advantages and C J played like an all American taking and making challenged shots.

I know Trevor did not shoot well, but his presence still demanded constant attention by Carolina's defense and opened things up for teammates.

Cannot emphasize how good Ennis is. Even in games where some fans are getting on him. He's so freaking good it's amazing. He splits double teams so easily and creates advantages. Never panics...I don't know how you can complain about his game... He is soo money.

Nice minutes for gbinije today. Very comfortable in his role.

We will need Dajuan down the road , but that was a good win.

Unc is big, but they are soft, suspect shooters, and frankly, I don't think their coach is very good. Take off the uniforms and they kinda look like a Providence team.

Very well stated as usual.

 

[RF2044]

Good post. I was impressed with the defensive play of both Rak and Keita.

Thought that Cooney wasn't nearly as bad as some posters suggest--took good shots, just didn't fall today.

Ennis is remarkable. We are witnessing greatness.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Good post. I was impressed with the defensive play of both Rak and Keita.

Thought that Cooney wasn't nearly as bad as some posters suggest--took good shots, just didn't fall today.

Ennis is remarkable. We are witnessing greatness.

I don't want to be that guy, but Keita nearly fouled out in his 10 minutes out there. I thought Rak was the much better of the two today.

 

[rrlbees]

I thought the biggest differences were that we drilled them on the backboards, especially the offensive boards first have, which goes to your toughness. But they also seemed to be a dumb team. They did a couple things that worked well for them but didn't do it enough and made a lot of silly passes when they had the advantage going down court. Our defense had a lot to do with their bad shooting, but they made some passes on fast breaks that were just horrible.

 

[Marsh01]

I don't want to be that guy, but Keita nearly fouled out in his 10 minutes out there. I thought Rak was the much better of the two today.

He also gave us some good minutes and had probably 4 offensive rebs. If we can still get that two of three centers playing the way they have been every game we are golden.

 

[NateW]

Nailed it with this post.

Grant and Fair in the first half were dominating on offense with good takes to the rim coupled with some timely rhythmic jumpers & made FT's and all the while grant was focused on getting every board.

2nd half air was outta the ball... Ty & CJ walked us home.

 

[orangefog]

I haven't gotten to see the game yet, DVR'd it, but I saw the highlights. On the play where BMK got an offensive rebound, then missed the layup and then Jerami came in for another offensive rebound, MacAdoo quit on the play and held his eye for a second and turned back to get in the play as Jerami is throwing it down. Then, he just kept on playing, no problem. I couldn't believe it. How is he going to survive in the NBA if he can't mix it up in the paint?

 

[JOC44]

Not a top ten frontcourt my @ss.

Blocks from every direction.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

He also gave us some good minutes and had probably 4 offensive rebs. If we can still get that two of three centers playing the way they have been every game we are golden.

There is no doubt that we will need him. I thought the squad, and especially Rak looked pretty winded in the second half around the 13 minute mark. Could have used a few subs at that point.

And to be precise, Keita had a total of 3 rebounds - all of them on the offensive end. One of which he should have converted to two points, but missed the bunny, that he should have thrown down.

 

[Jake]

One other quick point, CJ is the best forward we've have since Carmelo in triple threat position on the wing. Not saying he's as good, but facing the basket from 19 feet, he really presents a dilemma for defenders,

Personally, I'd crowd him and make him use the bounce, but teams are choosing to give him space, which I think is a mistake.

 

[007]

One other quick point, CJ is the best forward we've have since Carmelo in triple threat position on the wing. Not saying he's as good, but facing the basket from 19 feet, he really presents a dilemma for defenders,

Personally, I'd crowd him and make him use the bounce, but teams are choosing to give him space, which I think is a mistake.

Love CJ's game and agree with you about how he should be defended. You have to get in his face and you have to force him to his right. Easier said than done, but that needs to be the game plan.

 

[EastCoast2]

UNC is a much bigger team? How so?

 

[jekelish]

Really noticed the level of toughness being different in the first half when Jerami kept wrestling boards away from guys who outweigh him by probably 20-30 pounds. Jerami was absolutely giving it his all, but I was surprised that he kept coming away with those loose balls and rebounds. This UNC team has absolutely no scrap to it.

 

[RF2044]

One other quick point, CJ is the best forward we've have since Carmelo in triple threat position on the wing. Not saying he's as good, but facing the basket from 19 feet, he really presents a dilemma for defenders,

Personally, I'd crowd him and make him use the bounce, but teams are choosing to give him space, which I think is a mistake.

CJ has really rounded into form as a complete SF. Agreed--not as good as someone like Melo, not a transcendent talent, but as good as any forward in college ball.

He looked like an all american today. And he is a guy who provides consistent play every game--steady offensive performance that we can count upon. What a luxury.

I thought heading into this season that we might be pretty good this year, but that next year would be when we would have a "great" team. Now, I think it is pretty clear that not only are we on the cusp of being "great" this year, but that it is going to be very, very, very difficult to replace CJ's offensive contributions next year.

 

[rrlbees]

One other quick point, CJ is the best forward we've have since Carmelo in triple threat position on the wing. Not saying he's as good, but facing the basket from 19 feet, he really presents a dilemma for defenders,

Personally, I'd crowd him and make him use the bounce, but teams are choosing to give him space, which I think is a mistake.

CJ has improved his handle just enough that he is fine with the 1-2 ounces going to the basket. He gets himself in torubloe with the dribble when he tries to "shake and bake" past or through a couple of defenders.

 

[Bayside44]

CJ developing his right has made him exceptional at this level.

Tyler Ennis was born to play basketball, kid makes me cry he's so beautiful out there.

 

[Eric15]

Unc is big, but they are soft, suspect shooters, and frankly, I don't think their coach is very good. Take off the uniforms and they kinda look like a Providence team.

What's so confusing about them is at #1 Michigan State their front court looked like Bird/McHale/Parish. They just bullied MSU on the boards.

 

[RF2044]

CJ developing his right has made him exceptional at this level.

Tyler Ennis was born to play basketball, kid makes me cry he's so beautiful out there.

Ennis is filthy--absolutely filthy.

That drive / no look pass to CJ for the and-one was just gorgeous. And it isn't all about stats with Ennis--the way he controls the game is what is so exceptional. Very subtle, but a purist's delight. What a lead guard.

 

[LennX6]

What's so confusing about them is at #1 Michigan State their front court looked like Bird/McHale/Parish. They just bullied MSU on the boards.

VPI gave us more trouble inside, seriously. I don't think that was an accident. They could use a Barksdale or van Zegeren.

 

[themorey]

I don't think there's any reason to insult Providence like that.

 

[Cheriehoop]

When both CJ and Jerami get going it is difficult for any team to matchup with them. Jerami's development has been key. Love in crunch time how CJ has been working on his ball handling allowing him to be another competent release when Ennis is being pressured. Christmas's defensive improvement has really helped make SU's defense not just effective but adding some big boy intimidation. Most fun part of being an SU fan is watching these kids "get it" and develop over time.

 

[RF2044]

When both CJ and Jerami get going it is difficult for any team to matchup with them. Jerami's development has been key. Love in crunch time how CJ has been working on his ball handling allowing him to be another competent release when Ennis is being pressured. Christmas's defensive improvement has really helped make SU's defense not just effective but adding some big boy intimidation. Most fun part of being an SU fan is watching these kids "get it" and develop over time.

Agree 100%. If Grant hits that mid-range jump shot, that forward tandem is virtually impossible to defend.

Best forward combo in college basketball--bar none.

 

[Cowtown]

I thought the biggest differences were that we drilled them on the backboards, especially the offensive boards first have, which goes to your toughness. But they also seemed to be a dumb team. They did a couple things that worked well for them but didn't do it enough and made a lot of silly passes when they had the advantage going down court. Our defense had a lot to do with their bad shooting, but they made some passes on fast breaks that were just horrible.

We were tough on the boards on both ends. Didn't always get the ball, but got a lot of 'em and contested the others - without a lot of fouls. We were generally effective on D, and got most of the 50-50 balls. I don't know if they're a dumb team so much as they're just lacking in both direction and uncomfortable with what the rest of the team is doing. There's no glue, and little team concept, little sense of balance. SU on the the other hand is completely team focused, always looking at options, while (generally) advancing the play. And they do that without forcing it, which is a subtle yet appreciable difference from where UNC is. SU moved the ball to where it should go, UNC tried to move the ball to where they wanted it to go.

At the end of it all, it wasn't pretty, but it was very effective, and a very blue collar win. SU never chased the ball, or even chased the play. It seemed that it was always coming to them, rather than them having to go get it. The opposite is true for UNC. And I credit SU's collective basketball IQ with that, and make no mistake, with this group it's considerable. Perhaps the best ever. Maybe even eclipsing 2003, but we'll see on that. That being said, I suspect UNC is still going to be better come March. But so is SU, and I'd much rather be in their position.

 

[Jasoncuse]

What's so confusing about them is at #1 Michigan State their front court looked like Bird/McHale/Parish. They just bullied MSU on the boards.

Effort

Basketball rewards those that give max effort, especially if they are athletically gifted. Today, we saw that, just like UNC saw it when they beat MSU.