UNC Postgame Thoughts

[baggerbob]

That was high level ball by the team for 40 minutes. I’m amazed at the shot making , intelligence, and unselfishness of play from all the guys. Mintz showed how winning ball can be played if you subvert your ego to the needs of the team

If we see that Judah the rest of the way we can win some games.

 

[DilemaCuse]

This sums it up

 

[rrlbees]

Wow, what a win!

Sure, we aren't going to shoot 60% every game. Some games the little things go the right way (JJ's bank shot 3p), and that is what happened tonight.

However, lots of other positives that are repeatable. Played smart to close out the halves. Bell passing up that shot near the end showed a discipline that that isn't normally there. Copeland was a pest on DF and didn't commit any stupid fouls.

One other awesome part was a 7pm game on ESPN. Couple casual fans texted me. For those people who don't normally watch Cuse, we look like a better team than reality.

I’ll bet Bell wanted so much to take that shot. LOL.

 

[CardiacCuse]

Is this our first win of the year that we 'shouldn't' have won?

these are two evenly talented teams

one is 16-9 one is 19-6

the blowout losses are the things that shouldnt have happened

 

[sweetpea]

I just ate like 10 of my kids double-stuf Oreos I'm in such a good mood right now.

I hope you grabbed them from their lunchbox.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

Judah played like a professional tonight.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I thought the initial chop was at least an attempt for the ball, but when he followed through and grabbed Maliq’s arm, I thought that was non basketball related contact that should have been called.

I didn’t think it was that egregious of a ruling.

I am probably in the minority but thought that the push in the back from Bacot (I think it was him) that knocked MaliQ off the court after Ryan’s chop and grab, was worse.

 

[llandz]

With all due respect to SWC, there is no downside tonight. I'm not going to nitpick anything. Best win in years. So happy for Red and the team!

I'll write it for him.
Downside:
NONE

 

[baggerbob]

I’ll bet Bell wanted so much to take that shot. LOL.

But he is starting to mature, along with the rest of the sophomores.
Looking back in 2 years, this might be the win that turns the program around.
There always has to be a starting point to greatness.

 

[nycfan]

My dog just starred at me concerned for my well being for the final 3-4 minutes of that game. I was in NCAA Tourney psychological mode.

Was thinking the same thing because I was getting the nervous feeling that I usually only get in those big Tourney games -- felt like that West Virginia win (since the following game vs Houston wasn't very close).

 

[llandz]

Without thinking I was wearing Carolina Blue today as the sweater has a big heart on it, and was thinking Valentine's. I was out with past clients, and we couldn't leave the restaurant as there was a big TV in front of us, and I had to scream silently over and over in the last 2 minutes. Have you ever tried to scream silently? I can now give lessons.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

these are two evenly talented teams

one is 16-9 one is 19-6

the blowout losses are the things that shouldnt have happened

it’s not just that we shot over 60%. It’s that we did it against THAT team who holds teams to 39%

 

[CardiacCuse]

the zone "worked"...but not really...down the stretch, UNC was scoring at will.

the difference in the game was SU had an amazingly efficient night on offense

having to shoot 63% overall and almost 50% from 3 to hang on for a close victory down the stretch is unsustainable...and evidence that the defense was actually bad.

I didnt think they could play zone and win...but I also didnt think they could play that well on offense ...UNC's defense is really really good, normally...

Hopefully Judah can play like this the rest of the way...he played great.

 

[Niastri]

I had four Duke friends text me. YOU’RE WELCOME.

I'll tell you what my dad told me when I was a kid:

You really need to watch the people you hang around with...

 

[Cuseball]

Do I think the zone and playing 6 guys is a recipe for long term success? No.

Did both work tonight for what they needed them to do? Absolutely. Glad to take the L on that.

I think Red believes his bench guys aren’t good enough and he has to play the main 5 to win.
Rest of the way. Is what it is. I still think zone isn’t the most effective D as far as giving up wide open looks and giving up rebounds but clearly it helped Brown stay on the floor and most importantly tonight thought Q and Brown were able to be pests poking the ball away. We’ll see how Red uses it rest of the way

I agree with you completely. I don’t want us to play zone and I don’t think Autry does either. I jut think with this team not being great individual defenders and with the limited depth the zone has to be heavily used. It also helps your guards stay somewhat fresh for 35-40 minutes. I also don’t love guards playing the whole game but depth is not there at the moment.

cuse!

 

[rrlbees]

 

[djcon57]

Ridiculous. Any coach coaches to win the game they’re coaching in. They aren’t thinking about anything else in the future.

Especially this game which was the last chance to get a signature win. It was all hands on deck

 

[Sbucketball]

JB was so involved in this. It was almost like he was inside Red.

Sounds painful

 

[atlanticuse]

Judah played like a professional tonight.

Greek, Israeli, Russian, or Taiwanese.
Asking for a friend

 

[DilemaCuse]

Excellent game plan by the coaches.

Offensive poise the best it's been all season.

Toughness on the defensive boards.

On the other hand--what has happened to UNC's defense? About 2 weeks ago, I thought they were a real threat to make the FF. Not right now.

They got too old and showed their age

 

[DoctorBombay]

Felt like old times...like deja vu all over again. Couldn't be prouder.
Red has got something as a HC. It's incredibly difficult managing emotions of a headstrong young team. More times than not, he's done a great job of getting the team ready.
In retrospect, that "apology" to SU fans might end up as a turning point. LGO

 

[atlanticuse]

Sounds painful

There’s lube for that.

 

[Niastri]

I think, Copeland discovered that he could take the ball out of Ryan's hands any time he wanted to at the end of the game.

I think if we meet them in a tournament, Ryan will have a bunch of quick turnovers, until he has to come out of the game.

Copeland dominating Ryan was a huge part of closing out this game.

 

[crv1728]

Without thinking I was wearing Carolina Blue today as the sweater has a big heart on it, and was thinking Valentine's. I was out with past clients, and we couldn't leave the restaurant as there was a big TV in front of us, and I had to scream silently over and over in the last 2 minutes. Have you ever tried to scream silently? I can now give lessons.

I've learned to scream silently so my dogs don't get frightened and run out of the room during SU games. Years ago they would run upstairs at the first utterance (yelling at the TV) from me.

 

[LAorange44]

I'd normally agree, but it's been far too long since the students have had a chance to have some fun. Well deserved for the kids.

Agreed. This current crop of students (and possibly grad students) haven’t had many opportunities for something like this. Let the kids have fun.