UNCG is a good team that played with a lot of energy Saturday. They needed to. Losing two home games to the top contenders while at home would have been put them in a tough spot. Miller, their top underclassman, had a great game. He had a career high 25 and hit 4 three point shots. Normally a 28% three point shooter, If he hits his usual percentage the game probably goes down to the last shot.
The really frustrating thing was that most of our mistakes were unforced. Guys dribbling the all off their legs while unguarded, twisting around to make awkward passes, some missed shots at point blank range.
Rafferty and Hunter are 2 and 3 of the top SoCon players for minutes played. FU is the only team with 3 in the top ten. ETSU, UNCG, and Wofford have no one in the top ten. That's not a recipe for being fresh for the tournament.
Over the next seven weeks we play an average of less than 2 games per week (approx. 1.7 gpw) Two games a week (or less) is not what I would call an exhausting grind. Playing two games in 24 hours or three in 48 hours like you need to do in the conference tournament - maybe you have a point. Two a week? Please.
We now have a week to correct the mistakes from the UNCG game and prepare for Wofford. The schedule gave us road games at the toughest conference foes on the road in the first couple of weeks of January. If we can get just one win of that trio of games we will be in good shape. Just try to improve every game.
Rafferty played 38 min last night, 5 min above his average. That was largely due to Gurley and Mounce foul trouble. I understand the Williams debate (and occasionally have had some concern) BUT I will take that extra 5 min from Matt over Jalen. The fact remains that Williams’ execution mistakes outweigh the benefits.
Last night had everything to do with sloppy and often stupid turnovers and poor defense than a lack of height or girth.
It should be clear after Richey's first year and a half that he wants a team that plays a certain style of offense. He wants five players on the court who can all shoot from the perimeter, pass effectively, drive to the hoop when the chance is there, move without the ball and keep maximum pressure on the other defense. If you look at the big men he has tried to recruit you see all those qualities to some degree. In fact, of the forwards he offered for next year's freshman class only one wouldn't be regarded as a very good shooter, and he was 6'10" and a terrific passer who was a respectably good shooter for the size. Williams is a physical low post presence and very good rebounder and shot blocker but not as efficient on offense. Not quite a fit for the style, although I would not be surprised if he doesn't get more playing time as we continue.
