Originally Posted by
CDu
We're at the halfway point of this phase, so I wanted to do a quick progress report on how things have gone.
Health: we got Tre Jones back to begin the phase. That has been glorious. So far, so good in terms of everyone else's health. As of now, we've passed this one with flying colors. Let's hope that continues.
More Zion please! This is one area that is a work in progress. In the first game (Ga Tech), Barrett led all players in usage. But he was having a very efficient game himself, so no big deal. In the next two games, Barrett wasn't terribly efficient but still took as many possessions as Williamson (when you account for both FGA and FTA). So I'd like to see Williamson getting even more involved. Now, he's already involved a LOT, but I feel like we should be going through our best player at least a bit more than our second best player.
Barrett's efficiency: It was great against Ga Tech, scoring 24 points on just 16 FGA. It was poor against Notre Dame and St John's, scoring just 1 point per FGA in each game, and needing 8 FT attempts (going 3 of 8) to get there against St. John's. And he's had 8 assists to 12 turnovers over those 3 games. Now, Barrett is still contributing to be sure. He's averaged 11.3 rebounds per game and led or tied for the team lead in rebounds each game. So he's obviously a critical component of the team's success. But I think we are nearing a "he is what he is" point in terms of his efficiency. Let's hope things perk up for him in the second half of this phase and the second half of the season.
The fourth freshman: Reddish has continued to confound. He couldn't hit shots at all against Ga Tech or Notre Dame, going a combined 4-24 from the field for just 20 total points. Then he was pretty solid against St. John's, going 4-10 (all 3s) and scoring 16 points. He has, however, shown better playmaking skills overall, with 12 assists to just 5 turnovers in this 3-game stretch. And he's been a defensive menace, picking up 8 steals. So he's starting to contribute in other ways on offense, but he's still an enigma as a scorer. Hopefully he can get things to click soon.
The juniors, part A(ussie): Well, so far it has been a rough phase for White. He is 0-4 from the field (0-3 on 3s) with 0 assists and 2 turnovers. He's still rebounding and making hustle plays (13 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals in 35 total minutes), but his offensive game has cratered. This was on the heels of going 4-22 from the field (1-18 from 3) over his previous 5 games means that in his last 8 games he's 4-26 from the field (1-21 from 3). I'm not sure what is going on, but clearly he is out of sorts. And as a result, he's averaging just 11.7 mpg in this phase so far. Now, he's not a dynamic offensive player, and he's pretty much a catch-and-shoot player on wide-open 3s only. But he's fallen to 7th/8th in the rotation in this phase. Let's hope he can bounce back.
The juniors, part B(olden): Bolden suffered a toe injury fairly early in the Ga Tech game, though he was having a quiet day to that point. But he bounced back in a big way against Notre Dame and St John's, averaging 9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per 23 mpg in those two games. He's become a very steady presence in the middle on both ends. It's a pleasure to see what appears to be the game finally slowing down for him as a junior.
The juniors, part D(eLaurier): DeLaurier barely saw the floor against Ga Tech, as he was passed over for Vrankovic in that one. In the subsequent two games, he's given 7 points, 8 rebounds and just 4 fouls over 24 total minutes. Nothing world-altering, but he's been a functional backup for Bolden these past two games. It seemed early in the season like the light was coming on. At this point, I'll be pleased if he can continue his 10-15 mpg of functional backup big performances.
Ohhhhh-Connell: He was active and looked the part against Ga Tech in 19 minutes. Then he knocked down his 2 shots from 3 against Notre Dame. Then he had a quiet game against a physical St. John's team. So, still kind of kicking the can down the curb here. But I think the Ga Tech game was a good sign from him. Even though he didn't hit 3s, he played well in the flow of the game.
Establishing our place in the ACC: We have gone 2-0 in conference with two comfortable wins over bottom-feeders. That's the goal. Hopefully we can continue that trend tomorrow. Then the fun begins: at UVa and at Louisville. Those two will be a great litmus test of the team's progress. Win those and we move into the catbird's seat for the ACC regular season title.