View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
stan

Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 14222 Location: Knoxville
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:03 pm Post subject: Taking Care of Business |
|
|
I am a bit surprised that some folks around here have been describing our 8-1 start as "great". Uhhhh, we've won the ones we were supposed to and lost the one we were not. We got blown out be the one ranked team we played. We've struggled and even played poorly at times. But not so poorly that we lost one we shouldn't.
We have one quality win -- Wich St. We are hoping that the Northeastern wins look better at season's end, but the team we beat was hobbled by injuries and we were not impressive in beating that weakened team either time.
I'm glad we have an 8-1 record. Given the competition in the Charleston tournament, there were monumental odds against us having zero losses at this point. This is pretty much the best we could realistically hope for in preseason.
Bottom line -- we haven't really played great basketball and haven't played a very difficult schedule. I think we all believe that this team is capable of being much better. The schedule gives us opportunities. The A-10 is a great opportunity this year. But we haven't done much yet. Don't get caught up in the record so far. It matters who you've played. _________________ "Then they started making 3s. A lot of 3s. We're talking more 3s than a bad dating site." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Dr. Bliss
Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 5039 Location: NC Mountains
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just pointing out that, as the grind of the season wears on (the non-conference season as well), we usually lose a game or two that we were "supposed" to win. That's true of most any team. We haven't done that, and I think it's grounds for happiness and maybe even celebration.
Plus, I believe we are showing incremental improvement over time. Each game I see pieces falling in place. _________________ "There ain't no sanity clause!" Chico Marx |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
wildforthecats
Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 18388 Location: Matthews NC
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm thrilled to be 8-1. Have we played great? No. This team is winning despite not playing well. When it all comes together, it will be an exciting ride. Witchita State was a fabulous win.
Last edited by wildforthecats on Sat Dec 08, 2018 5:01 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
citycat
Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 8708 Location: charlotte, nc
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 3:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wichita State lost to Oklahoma 80-48 today.
Dr. Bliss hit the nail on the head. Almost every team loses games they're not expected to. We have not The hard part of our non-conference schedule lies ahead. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
CatsUpNorth
Joined: 18 Oct 2015 Posts: 1402
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
wildforthecats wrote: | I'm thrilled to be 8-1. Have we played great? No. This team is winning respite not playing well. When it all comes together, it will be an exciting ride. Witchita State was a fabulous win. |
We also have areas where we can very obviously and reasonably improve. Luke has been a great passer and shown why he is so valuable defensively, but he has yet to shoot like we expected (UNCW and other moments notwithstanding) or threaten to score outside of his three point shot. Luka has been everything we could have anticipated, and his game still has so much room for improvement. Kellan has been great overall but not in every game. KiShawn is a better shooter than he has shown.
I agree with most of what was said, but I think there is still a lot fo room for optimism, as long as we don't become satisfied by our current success and are less motivated to improve. I'm not worried about that. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Dr. Bliss
Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 5039 Location: NC Mountains
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tennis08tarheels
Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 3443 Location: Dallas, TX
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
2017 Appalachian State still resonates in most of our heads, and will for some time. I am thrilled that we have dodged almost every bullet so far this year. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
MrMac
Joined: 10 Jul 2010 Posts: 8254 Location: Greenwood, SC
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dr. Bliss wrote: | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4pYv42mdwo |
Good advice: for players and fans alike. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
catnhat
Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 6397 Location: Asheboro, NC
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 9:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We always seem to lose some early in the year. Then we improve and play better. This year we've won early in the year and we still have plenty of room for improvement. Of course I'm feeling good about this team. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Chedda Blanco
Joined: 13 Dec 2013 Posts: 280
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 9:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you ask me, a team that graduated:
-a top 10 player in program history POY big man
-basically all the rest of its front court from the season prior
-plus an experienced senior guard
But has found its way to win all the games it's supposed to in the nonconference behind
-an electric sophomore point guard
-an experienced 6'4 guard who seemingly does everything well
-a day 1 starter freshman big who has exceeded expectations that were fairly strong to begin with
-an expanded role for an elite athlete off the bench who provides immediate energy
-et al
Is a team I can get behind.
But enough about the '14/'15 team _________________ I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny.
And what I do? Act more stupidly |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
stan

Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 14222 Location: Knoxville
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 10:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
whoa. some folks have to work really, really, really hard to misunderstand that badly. Freaking amazing. _________________ "Then they started making 3s. A lot of 3s. We're talking more 3s than a bad dating site." |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
BDL
Joined: 04 Dec 2016 Posts: 1261
|
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 12:49 am Post subject: Re: Taking Care of Business |
|
|
stan wrote: | I am a bit surprised that some folks around here have been describing our 8-1 start as "great". Uhhhh, we've won the ones we were supposed to and lost the one we were not. We got blown out be the one ranked team we played. We've struggled and even played poorly at times. But not so poorly that we lost one we shouldn't.
We have one quality win -- Wich St. We are hoping that the Northeastern wins look better at season's end, but the team we beat was hobbled by injuries and we were not impressive in beating that weakened team either time.
I'm glad we have an 8-1 record. Given the competition in the Charleston tournament, there were monumental odds against us having zero losses at this point. This is pretty much the best we could realistically hope for in preseason.
Bottom line -- we haven't really played great basketball and haven't played a very difficult schedule. I think we all believe that this team is capable of being much better. The schedule gives us opportunities. The A-10 is a great opportunity this year. But we haven't done much yet. Don't get caught up in the record so far. It matters who you've played. |
I second everything said here. It's very easy (and satisfying) to point at our great record and claim that all is perfect when it really isn't.
The thing that is weird to me is that while we have been underperforming as a team, no one player has been below expectations. Rather, I'd say most guys have performed at or above expectations. JAG and KG have had off games but both look certain 1st team all A10. Luka is performing literally at the level (if not better) of a freshman Peyton or Jake Cohen. Luke has had flashes but we all knew it would take him some time to find consistency after the ACL tear. Carter has developed into a guy who could very well win A10 6th man of the year. KP has slowly but surely started adjusting to a higher usage rate. David has shown glimpses of what he can do. Dusan/Nate have both had a few games and we knew it'd take them time to get their feet under them again after both missed the better part of two years. Bates has looked eminently usable and helpful. Obviously not having Jones hurts but he can't really control the fact that he tore his ACL. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|