That was a butt whoopin'. We shot 38% and they shot 55%. Butt whoopin'.
I agree that we are not getting better. Or maybe it is more accurate to say that the other ACC coaches are getting their teams to improve way better than Stoudamire is getting his team to improve. I think our coach is getting his hat handed to him by ACC coaches.
Talent is definitely an issue. We all know that Ndongo manning the post by himself is an easily exploitable weakness. We know that our wings are missing open shots that the opposition are not missing. We know toughness is an issue. A soft roster was an obvious issue for Pastner's last two teams and this year is no different.
So, it is not all on the coach. Recruiting has been good.
I don't think Stoudamire likes this crew too much or maybe I should say that a lot of these players are not a good match for this coach. Stoudamire has a vision on how he wants to play and this group is not translating that vision to the floor.
I do wonder if Stoudamire being so down on his team has stripped the team of any confidence. Has the coach whipped his team before the opposition has?
I expect significant roster turnover this off season.
But it is possible that Stoudamire is overmatched at this level. But he is competitive and he won't go down without a fight.
Stat of the game: Sacko played over six and half minutes and put-up no stats whatever in the box score: no points, shots, rebounds, fouls for or against, Assists, Turnovers, steals, and Blocks for or against. Zip. Nada. that is quite an accomplishment.
Deebo had his best rebounding game that I can remember ever seeing him play. He actually worked effectively to get position down low on the boards. He really is working to find ways to contribute. At least he seems to have a clue about what Stoudamire is talking about. Too bad he is not a better athlete.
ACC coaches have scouted Ndongo and they go right at him with big bodies. He is struggling but he still managed 16 & 9 with 2 blocks.
Similarly, George did not have a good game but he still managed 8 assists and 1 turnover. Sturdivant shot poorly but he played an OK floor game.
Claude had 3 rebounds in 23 minutes. No Bueno.
Kowacie played another bad game and Gapare and Kelly continue to flop around the floor like landed fish.
Stoudamire dipped deep into his back court depth with Carter Murphy (who looked pretty good against VT) and Abram to find someone to hit a shot.
