A Fine/Acceptable Effort

06-07 Basketball General77

I don’t think that you will get too many complaints from most NC State fans about Wednesday night’s loss in Chapel Hill to the Tarheels.

After playing a great first half (to trail 41-40), the game ultimately took on the exact same complexion as most of the Wolfpack’s losses this season. You can’t get too mad or frustrated when the team largely plays to their potential for most of the game only to have the obvious deficiencies and gaps in talent ultimately play out as expected.

A few quick comments:

* It is so interesting for NC State to have played 25 games this season and have only encountered foul trouble to key player(s) in three games – two of them vs Carolina.

* Don’t take that ^previous comment as too much criticism for the officiating. I actually think that the game in Raleigh and tonight’s game have been two of the better officiated games of our season. (Not to mention past State-Carolina games). The stretch in the second half when the refs swallowed their whistle only added to our unraveling.

* Carolina’s ability to apply defensive pressure for 40 minutes without fear of foul trouble is exhausting to watch. I can’t imagine having to play with Ty Lawson and Wes Miller’s hand up my shirt for 40 minutes.

* Something that is going to go unnoticed because of the way in which the second half developed was how wonderful of a job that State did on the glass in the first 15 minutes of the game. Because of the efficiency with which the Wolfpack’s offense operates when we don’t turn the ball over, you cannot underestimate the importance of good rebounding for this team. Rebounding is what kept us in the game the first 5 minutes when our offense wasn’t rolling yet.

* One of my favorite posters on Pack Pride asked if the refs had fouled out Coach Lowe by halftime? Too funny. Link to info on Coach Lowe’s physical condition.

* I am surprised that Sidney wore the red jacket again tonight. Nice.

* The lack of coordination exhibited in Gavin Grant’s 4 or 5 unforced turnovers each game is just bewildering. How can someone so talented simply drop the ball, miss-time catches of easy passes, etc?

* It was really interesting to see the impact of absence of Coach Lowe from the bench in the second half. It really makes a statement about his importance to this team.

* BJD’s comments:

When Sid left for the hospital, you had to think our chance was over. We have too narrow a margin of error as it is – we can’t lose our coach at halftime. Dennis Horner makes a nice shot (take that one more, kid!) at the end to cancel Wes Miller’s dick move and keep the final margin under 20. In essence, it was like the GT game against a much better opponent – the Pack just couldn’t withstand 40 minutes of ball pressure with such a shallow bench. Down the stretch, we couldn’t shot, pass crisply, defend, or rebound. No legs. It was borderline criminal for Towe to leave Atsur in the game for that many minutes with the outcome decided. We need him at full strength on Saturday. Your final score – UNC 83, NC State 64.

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06-07 Basketball General

77 Responses to A Fine/Acceptable Effort

  1. beowolf 02/22/2007 at 9:44 AM #

    GAWolf:

    Sid is amazing on the bench. He coaches nonstop. After seeing coaches not even coaching during timeouts, it’s just flat awesome to watch Sid coach and teach from tip off to buzzer. We’re lucky to have him back home, folks. I love that shrill whistle that clearly the players have learned to recognize as Sid’s attention getter. It was deafening in the Dean Dome at times and yet you can hear Sid getting the attention of his players.

    Totally agreed on that point, and well observed. This is something V was really good at, and Sid was V’s “coach on the floor.” I see a lot of V in Sid’s coaching, attitude, defense selection … and attire.

    12) On a side note to 11, Sid does need to watch himself at times however. He gets way out of the coaches box and the Heel fans were giving the ref’s hell for not T’ing him up. He gets excited and dang near marches out to the three arc…. and that’s when the Heels had the ball on our bench’s end of the court. I think he’s been T’d up for it before, and I believe we might see that again. As for me… I see go with what works, however.

    To continue my point, the coaching box was made because of Jimmy V.

  2. noah 02/22/2007 at 9:48 AM #

    Carolina did a pretty good job denying the passing lanes when McCauley got the ball. When he’s got the ball 30 feet from the basket, it’s not like he’s a threat to shoot.

    When teams are able to take that part of our game away, we need to be able to find some way to exploit what they’re doing on defense and last night, we didn’t do that.

  3. BJD95 02/22/2007 at 9:54 AM #

    Fells wasn’t hot. I don’t think we’ve won a non-cupcake game all year when he was cold.

    Noah, I think TD’s migraine was so bad at one point he said he couldn’t even really see. We tend to focus on the bad, but it’s superhuman what athletes and coaches fight through sometimes.

  4. Mr O 02/22/2007 at 10:04 AM #

    TNCSU: So you are saying that Lowe and Towe purposely called timeouts even though there was about to be a TV timeout on the next stoppage of play? That is tough to buy. Note that it was irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but I was wondering if it showed some inexperience with understanding when TV timeouts come during ACC telecasts.

    The biggest issue with our offense against teams like UNC(2nd half against GT) is that as solid as Atsur is he has trouble getting us into our offensive sets against teams that apply a lot of pressure on the perimeter. Many times just making the first pass in the offense or positioning the pick and roll is a complete struggle. Then as fatigue sets in and as we face wave after wave of fresh defenders, our offense breaks down into one on one play and bad/quick shots.

    Essentially it comes down to not having athletic, strong ballhandling guards and a lack of depth. Depth should improve quickly next year, but not sure if we are going to have the quality, athletic guards we need.

  5. zahadum 02/22/2007 at 10:06 AM #

    He’s had a great year, but there’s a couple of things that Ben needs to work on in the offseason, especially if he wants to play at the next level. First, in the post learn how to make his move more quickly. When you’re being guarded straight up you can make a half dozen pivots, fakes, etc. before shooting. But when the other team is doubling down as soon as you touch the ball, you’ve got to go for your shot before the double team gets there. Second, develop a solid 10-15 ft faceup jumper.

    If he can add those things to his game, the sky’s the limit for him.

  6. newt 02/22/2007 at 10:11 AM #

    Sidney Lowe showed no fear pulling out that red blazer again. Dang. Also incredibly smart. He knows pumping air into the rivalry is good for NC State. Look how Duke/UNC benefit from the publicity around their rivalry.

    Some blown calls both ways – UNC hand checked, Gavin had a clean block, McCauley’s arms were straight up, we got away with some travels.

    Packer’s observation that the game was over when we were only down by 12 was, in a word, stupid. Of course, he may have thought the margin was 22. Again, stupid.

    That we kept the game in the teens was notable. Even with so much against us, we outperformed most folks’ expectations in my opinion. Like the first Rocky/Apollo Creed fight, we were bloody and wobbly, but we did not let UNC knock us out.

    Gavin Grant continues to be the most energetic player on the court in the second half. This time, that fact was noted by the perennially negative Packer.

    Seems to me Sidney Lowe can take his’n and beat yours’n.

    First bad game this year for big Ben. Don’t know what was up the first half. He’s an emotional guy and was probably heavily affected by Lowe’s illness in the second half. Wish I had heard his “pissed off” postgame interview.

    Costner had a game face on last night that I don’t recall seeing from him. He was intense before, during, and after the game.

    How good would we be if Atsur was our 2 guard? I think he has JJ Redick-type skills.

  7. doatesjr 02/22/2007 at 10:27 AM #

    stateguy08,

    Oh, I’m sorry. I thought it said “your independent blog on the NC State athletics community and why they never get any fouls called because the refs and everyone else on the planet is out to get NC State”. I guess I’ll pay closer attention next time. And yes, Mr. Kim Jong-il, I am a UNC grad, but I didn’t realize we were in a Communist country.

    red-enough,

    “you’re right…. Engin playing 40 minutes was of little significance.” Of course Engin playing 40 minutes was of huge significance, but he played almost 40 in 1st game as well! In Raleigh the Heels didn’t pressure him as much and allowed him to walk the ball down the court and set the tempo. Last night they pressured more often, and I believe it was evident towards the end as he looked less effective than he did in the 1st half or in the 1st game.

  8. TNCSU 02/22/2007 at 10:57 AM #

    ^^TNCSU: So you are saying that Lowe and Towe purposely called timeouts even though there was about to be a TV timeout on the next stoppage of play? That is tough to buy. Note that it was irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but I was wondering if it showed some inexperience with understanding when TV timeouts come during ACC telecasts.

    Yes, that is my guess. If you know a TV timeout is at the 12:00 mark, and you call a timeout at 12:15 when your players are tired, you get a timeout, the players play one series, and come back and get another timeout — 2 good rests in a 5 minutes stretch. Also, TV timeouts are based on the next dead ball, so it could be +/- a minute or so for the actual time. Again, that is my guess, as I’m sure the coaching staff is well aware of when TV timeouts are scheduled. Also, even if a TV timeout is coming up in 30 seconds, as mentioned, it could be 1:30, and an opponent on a run can score alot of points in 1:30. Just my guess, but I think they knew what they were doing — again calling timeouts, etc. is a non-exact science, so you can never tell.

  9. beowolf 02/22/2007 at 10:57 AM #

    I am a UNC grad, but I didn’t realize we were in a Communist country.

    Lots of UNC students graduate with surprise to find out that this isn’t a Communist country, after four-six years of hearing how great things would be if only we were.

    This being an independent blog means, under the constitutional protections of speech and association, that you’re not entitled to post here. It would be Kim Jong-il-esque to think the government exists to force your opinion on someone else’s private forum.

  10. newt 02/22/2007 at 11:02 AM #

    ^That is funny.

    I’ve heard Tony Haynes say on the radio that Lowe intentionally calls timeouts near TV timeouts to get a two-for-one rest for the guys.

  11. noah 02/22/2007 at 11:07 AM #

    “Noah, I think TD’s migraine was so bad at one point he said he couldn’t even really see. We tend to focus on the bad, but it’s superhuman what athletes and coaches fight through sometimes.”

    Indeed. Jack Youngblood allegedly played a game with a broken bone in his leg. Chris Simms played with a ruptured spleen (he lost something like 75 percent of his blood) for a little while.

    I remember when we played FSU in 1998, one of our DBs got a hand up and deflected a Weinke pass. He bent over and started waving towards the bench to get someone to come in for him. He straightened up to see why no one was coming in and you could see he had dislocated three fingers. His palm was parallel to the ground (so were his thumb and pinkie) but his index, middle and ring fingers were straight up and down. Apparently, no one could sub for him at the time (the coaches were waving him back in) so he had to grab his fingers and POP them back into place (Aaaaauauuuuughgh!). And then he went out and made a tackle on the next play.

    I would have been sitting on the ground, crying like a little girl.

  12. doatesjr 02/22/2007 at 11:23 AM #

    Actually, as long as I register, I can post here if I like. You certainly don’t have to agree with my posts, nor even read them.

    And I’m not sure where you got the idea that UNC breeds Commies (probably the same place UNC grads hear that State breeds rednecks). I’m about as conservative as it gets, grew up on a farm, drive a pickup, like to hunt/fish, etc. I also got a Chemistry Materials Science degree and took the exact same science courses that are offered at State (my brother-in-law was a Chem Engineering/Textile Chem major at State, and we used to compare classes). I am also loyal to my alma mater and passionate about sports (thus why I read this blog). In fact, I’m probably more similar to many of you that post here than you’d care to admit, we just play for different teams.

  13. Rick 02/22/2007 at 11:42 AM #

    “Actually, as long as I register, I can post here if I like. You certainly don’t have to agree with my posts, nor even read them.”

    And we can rectify that if needed.

    His point is you post because we let you and UNC-Carborro posters should tread lightly especially given the close proximity to your victory last night.

  14. doatesjr 02/22/2007 at 11:49 AM #

    Rick,

    Oh master, thank you for “letting me” post here. Whatever, delete my account. Be a sore loser, I don’t really give a F*ck. I used to pull for State when they didn’t play the Heels, since they were a school comprised of fellow North Carolinians and friends I grew up with. Reading some of the a-hole comments on this site has certainly changed that. I’ve always hoped Dook never won another game. I now hope the Pack joins them.

  15. noah 02/22/2007 at 11:51 AM #

    Wow…you actually spent time typing that.

    Good job.

  16. BJD95 02/22/2007 at 11:54 AM #

    To clarify – we generally DO want other ACC (even UNC) folks to participate here. Just please behave yourselves as if a guest in someone else’s house, so to speak. Bomb throwers will get deleted.

  17. beowolf 02/22/2007 at 11:54 AM #

    doate, you are blowing things way out of proportion. Step away from the keyboard and get some frigging perspective.

    Or go start your own blog. But don’t throw a stupid temper tantrum because you tried to act as if you have an ENTITLEMENT to post on someone else’s forum and they reminded you that, well, YOU DON’T.

    You should just take a few deep breaths and not move yourself from realizing the potential of losing that privilege to the reality of having lost it.

    ‘K, pardnuh?

  18. burnbarn 02/22/2007 at 11:57 AM #

    Lowe has in fact called many time outs this season just before the TV break especially at the 12min and 8 min breaks.

    Towe only had two TOs available to him in the second half. he wanted to use one just before the 12 last night, but it would have only left them one more for the half. The holes run continued for another possession at that point.

    Lowe has done a great job this season of using TOs to stop runs before they really get going… a refreshing change.

  19. newt 02/22/2007 at 12:19 PM #

    If another UNC fan hates State, then all is as it should be.

  20. TNCSU 02/22/2007 at 12:31 PM #

    ^^”I used to pull for State when they didn’t play the Heels”

    I definitely can NOT say the same if the teams were reversed! I might pull for the Heels in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge because I want the ACC to kick the Big 10’s @%$, but that’s about it. Then again, I also don’t visit Tar Heel Blogs, and I doubt I’d go to their site, and say I hope they never win another game.

  21. CedarGroveWolf 02/22/2007 at 2:12 PM #

    Great effort from the guys. Wonder why we had the starters still in for the last few minutes when the game was over? Thought we might rest our legs for Sat.

  22. BoKnowsNCS71 02/22/2007 at 3:01 PM #

    I just hope the team doesn’t come down with Sid’s case of the flu. But then again if the were infectious — the Tire Eels and Roy should be feeling queasy by the weekend. Germ warfare — what will we think of next?

  23. bTHEredterror 02/23/2007 at 1:42 AM #

    “In fact, I’m probably more similar to many of you that post here than you’d care to admit, we just play for different teams.”

    See! A UNX Grad admits they play for the other team!

  24. doatesjr 02/23/2007 at 1:56 PM #

    bTHEredterror,

    Gee whiz, you’re a god-damned comedian. Did it take 4 whole years of learnin’ at State to reach that level of wit? I’m just waiting for a State grad to admit to plugging the leftover sheep and cows when the Ag classes are finished with them.

  25. Packaholic1 02/24/2007 at 8:55 AM #

    For 3 quarters, we beat them by 3 points. If we can improve on that next year with a deeper bench, we’ll be in good shape.

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