I fear this injury excuse is coming. Every team has injuries during the season.
Has nothing to do with offense, had he made adjustments earlier like last summer maybe the injury bug wouldn't be plaguing us. Hell had Rodney been able to play today would the score been that close? NC St stuck to their guns with DJ Burns. We didn't adjust, to him on our offensive, we could've spread the floor and let whoever he was guarding blow by him. Since our offense is mainly 1 guy put his head and try to get basket or that same 1 person dribble a majority of the shot clock. A well offense coached NC St team.... example Ernest Ross was open numerous times in the corner because we intentionally were not guarding him out there. He only shot 1 & made it, but he didn't take another. So it has been made clear in practice that he can impact the game scoring in other areas he finished with 16pts 7-7 from FT line. In other words he was open for a reason.
Pastner speaks about scoring 70 to have a chance to win, he has to do a better job of positioning them to have a chance to get to that 70 margin also. Maybe try a press after the first Ft we shoot after halftime. Maybe trapping when ball goes to corner every so often. Do different than the 2 under of bound plays. Just be schematic he may be able to use those defensive schemes to steal 6-10 pts a game off turnovers. Run Deebo & Miles some ball screens use them in some pin down action. Deebo was a combo guard in high school so to his defense he has not play in his position since arriving at Tech, but nonetheless since he is often guarding their 4-5 at times so why not try every so often a pin down utilizing Devion now if they switch you either have a big guarding Devion on the perimeter and a smaller defender guarding Deebo in the post. Just some action to mix it up instead of just having him sitting in corner. I mean if you're trying everything then really try everything.
We have guys that are great at catching the ball around the rim, and dunking put-backs. Then JP gets mad when they turn the ball over attempting to dribble..... no coach you know that is a limitation for them so why are you attempting to force the issue. I've said before those players are doing exactly what they are be coached to do. He is right they are nice guys, because someone needs to step up & say coach really let's try this or go eye-eye with him during a game with "respectful" emphasis. It's some winnable games left and coming so close and still losing is an ultimate letdown & you can lose your guys interest quick if the coach is willing to hear those guys out with their input.
