North Carolina 75 Kentucky 63
North Carolina easily handled Kentucky today despite a good performance by Randolph Morris and a terrible showing by Tyler Hansbrough. Morris finished with 21 points and held Hansbrough to 7 with only 2 FG's. But the rest of the Cats didn't show up. UK shot 3-16 on 3's and committed 22 turnovers. Besides Morris, nobody looked very good and Bradley and Thomas really had bad games. The defense was better, but UNC still hit 9-21 on 3's and had only 9 turnovers.
I support Tubby more than most, and I want him to succeed, but I have to admit that I don't understand some of his moves. For example why is Thomas playing ahead of Stevenson? You're not going to get much offense from either of them right now, but Stevenson's up-side is much higher. He is also a better rebounder and shot blocker than Thomas. The only positive for Sheray is that he is a better passer, but his turnovers are off-setting his assists.
Another example: In today's game UK started pressing toward the end and got within 9 after being down by 14. Bradley made 2 free throws with 3 minutes left and we took off the press. UNC was never threatened again. We also allowed them to run 30 seconds off the clock twice in the last 1:30 before we fouled them. We didn't start fouling until the 0:39 mark. If you're going to use that strategy, you have to start doing it sooner when you're trailing by 9 points.
The biggest problem, however is who to play at point guard? Bradley is just not made for that position right now. He may develop into it by the end of the season, but it's costing us right now. I don't want Bradley benched, but I would like to see him at 2 guard. Jasper and Porter could switch out at point, and Bradley and Meeks could rotate at the 2. I'm afraid that Crawford is going to have to play the 3 with Perry at the 4 and Morris at the 5. I know Crawford is better at the 2, but I believe a lineup with Jasper, Bradley, Crawford, Perry, and Morris is our best combination.
There is one more concern that I have with this team, and it is tempo. We have players in Jasper, Meeks, Crawford, and Bradley, who are wanting to push the tempo and probably thrive better in that invironment. However, our best player is Morris who is a perfect fit for a slow down half-court offense. I, unlike most fans, am in favor of keeping the tempo down, because I think that is Tubby's best chance at winning. Bradley and Crawford have got to learn to play half-court offense, or they should be replaced by the freshmen who have shown some good half-court skills.
Positives from today's game:
Morris: 21 pts, 10-11 FG, 7 reb, 3 blks
Perry: 12pts, 5-8 FG, 2-3 3pt, 6 reb
Crawford: 16 pts, 8 reb
Stevenson: 7 reb
Japer: 4 ast in 17 minutes
Team: +7 reb. advantage
Negatives:
Thomas: 1-4 FG, 3 to's
Crawford: 7 to's, 0-5 3pt
Bradley: 1-7 FG, 1-4 3pt, 3 ast in 35 minutes
Meeks: 1-6 FG
Team: 22 to's, 10-17 (58.8%) FT, 3-15 (20%) 3 pt.
I support Tubby more than most, and I want him to succeed, but I have to admit that I don't understand some of his moves. For example why is Thomas playing ahead of Stevenson? You're not going to get much offense from either of them right now, but Stevenson's up-side is much higher. He is also a better rebounder and shot blocker than Thomas. The only positive for Sheray is that he is a better passer, but his turnovers are off-setting his assists.
Another example: In today's game UK started pressing toward the end and got within 9 after being down by 14. Bradley made 2 free throws with 3 minutes left and we took off the press. UNC was never threatened again. We also allowed them to run 30 seconds off the clock twice in the last 1:30 before we fouled them. We didn't start fouling until the 0:39 mark. If you're going to use that strategy, you have to start doing it sooner when you're trailing by 9 points.
The biggest problem, however is who to play at point guard? Bradley is just not made for that position right now. He may develop into it by the end of the season, but it's costing us right now. I don't want Bradley benched, but I would like to see him at 2 guard. Jasper and Porter could switch out at point, and Bradley and Meeks could rotate at the 2. I'm afraid that Crawford is going to have to play the 3 with Perry at the 4 and Morris at the 5. I know Crawford is better at the 2, but I believe a lineup with Jasper, Bradley, Crawford, Perry, and Morris is our best combination.
There is one more concern that I have with this team, and it is tempo. We have players in Jasper, Meeks, Crawford, and Bradley, who are wanting to push the tempo and probably thrive better in that invironment. However, our best player is Morris who is a perfect fit for a slow down half-court offense. I, unlike most fans, am in favor of keeping the tempo down, because I think that is Tubby's best chance at winning. Bradley and Crawford have got to learn to play half-court offense, or they should be replaced by the freshmen who have shown some good half-court skills.
Positives from today's game:
Morris: 21 pts, 10-11 FG, 7 reb, 3 blks
Perry: 12pts, 5-8 FG, 2-3 3pt, 6 reb
Crawford: 16 pts, 8 reb
Stevenson: 7 reb
Japer: 4 ast in 17 minutes
Team: +7 reb. advantage
Negatives:
Thomas: 1-4 FG, 3 to's
Crawford: 7 to's, 0-5 3pt
Bradley: 1-7 FG, 1-4 3pt, 3 ast in 35 minutes
Meeks: 1-6 FG
Team: 22 to's, 10-17 (58.8%) FT, 3-15 (20%) 3 pt.
posted by Josh at 11:14 AM
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