Failure to develop players—skills and IQ aren't progressing. Frankie's turnovers, Oshae continuing to need to crash into people to try layups when five-foot jumpers are right there... Chukwu not commanding his space, and doing too much when he's already under/at the rim... It's like we don't work on fundamentals, and/or whatever we do work on isn't being taught at the highest level. It's cool, having an all alum staff. But, it's just not possible that all of those guys are actually the best possible assistants in their respective duties. I don't care that Bernie wasn't an NBA big man. Whether or not he really was as good as Seikaly says, that's irrelevant. I'm not going to be convinced that the best resource for learning the intricacies of battling against other big men is a guard. Doesn't matter how long he's been coaching it, or how much he's studied. It's all intellectual, and a player needs the physical and intellectual, which come from real world experience. IMHO... And with a staff full of guards, why is Frankie still playing the way he plays? He can make a big shot. I give him a lot of credit for developing that 3-ball, even as it has become inconsistent. But, he's been in the program for a while, and even if he's not naturally a PG, that's what he is with us. He should be better in that respect. I don't see even echoes of the passer he was as a freshman in those spot minutes. What happened? I realize that contradicts what i say in the third point...
Gameplanning—We seem to not know who's on the court until they're already bombed a bunch of threes. Or, they've done the FT line pass to the post or to the wings, etc. As if we didn't watch any game tape, and we 'adjust' after a 'quarter' or half. After tone has already been set and the other guys have confidence.
JB/Psychology—A negative image tv-wise, toward recruiting. And reaming out players for mistakes on-court seems antithetical toward player progression. We still make the same mistakes after the reaming. And if we had any depth, instead of just the chewing out, the player would be benched for a few minutes 'to learn his lesson' with a player determined to be 'lesser' taking those minutes. It has to suck, taking a shot or making a pass, in those milliseconds of second-guessing yourself. We see that when players are rid of the leash, they play more efficiently. Confidence is important. Coaching doesn't require tantrums and tirades. JB has been the coach of a great program. I never thought he was a great coach. I don't think those are necessarily contradictory statements.
The Zone—I still hate the zone as a one-size-fits-all approach. Not sure it's what damages us this year, although i think we do play differently on offense when we press on defense. And i believe it's a negative in recruiting.
ACC competition—Not the competition, but not being the top dawg in your own conference and being a misfit 'geographically' will have a long-term effect.
-------
Underperforming Players—Related to Development.
Depth—We should be used to not playing more than 7 guys. Sidibe being injured hurts us, even when he does get minutes. He's not the same guy i saw in the HS games.
Sanctions/Scholarship Reduction—Tired of that excuse. We only play 6-7 guys.
Recruiting—we still have higher-rated recruits than the other teams. Whether or not they're the right players, or they've drilled effectively enough to develop and progress with essential fundamental skills, that's the issue. Yes, better/more talent will compensate for the other issues, but you need a bunch of bandaids to cover an axe wound. Lately, we don't have enough of them. Carmelo was a giant Ace bandage. Gotta pray Bazeley is, too.
One and Dones.—Not new. Everyone who gets recruits at a certain level has to deal with it. I don't think JB's bench persona and habits are positive towards retention, though.
Failure to adjust—Adjust to what? Is this not game planning, or do you mean something more global, re: the 'college basketball environment?'
