Our first 4 ACC games: Notre Dame, North Carolina State, North Carolina, and Duke. This team is looking at 0-4 to start their ACC schedule. Our defense is really bad. In player to player defense, we are way too slow on the perimeter, can't keep players in front of us, and we are allowing too many open shooters. Even with a significant height advantage, we are unable to dominate teams. When we face teams that have more size than we have, plus perimeter quickness, I just don't see pathways to victory.What were they doing not holding for the last shot? Coming out of a time-out no less. Horrendous coaching.
One of the things that Syracuse teams have had in the past is athletic, fast perimeter players. The lack of speed on this team is frightening. We are really going to struggle in the ACC, where we will face bigger, quicker, and more athletic teams. Yes, this was embarrassing, but we better get used to it because the quality of play this year, has been really bad.I have to say I am embarrassed by this.
There is a huge difference between these 3 players. Camp is supposed to be the experienced, although just coming off her ACL recovery, player. Velez, a newcomer transfer, and Lexi is really a practice player at this point, but also Lexi is a glue of the team. She holds the players together off the court. I have seen her in action last Thanksgiving. She is very respected by the players, and she has an important role that way. I see her going right into coaching. Velez will come along. I think Camp will also. She is just post recovery. Many take even more time that she has. The surprise has been Schmitt. Big surprise.Camp, Velez and McNabb don’t add much to the guard capabilities.
Overall Schmitt has been a pleasant surprise, but she made a huge freshman mistake there. She had the most energy on the floor all night though, and was often part of bringing us back in the game. Don't forget her steal and score. Bad freshman mistake though, but they all make them. That moment got to her.You play great defense with 40 seconds left and get the rebound, Schmidt makes an absolutely horrendous turnover. You then get another chance to take the final shot and Wolley goes brain dead and commits a horrible charge with 11 seconds left on the shot clock. What were they thinking? This team is going to really struggle in the ACC. They lack quickness all over the court.