Notice I don't say they "played". Or at least nobody besides Tracy Smith and Lorenzo Brown played. Everyone else kind of ran though the motions. C.J. Leslie tuned in a bit on the offensive end of the court every now and then, and so did Javier Gonzalez.
On the defensive end though pretty much everyone was horrible. On the hustle end everyone was horrible.
Granted State came in with a bit of a disadvantage. Ryan Harrow was sick all week and didn't practice. He was out for the game. Scott Wood was also sick and fighting it. There was still a chance right? A chance for an undermanned and up and down (with a lot of down) NC State team to show that they belonged, that they were hungry, that they were on the rise even though this year hasn't gone to expectation. A chance for Senior point guard Javier Gonzalez, back in the starting lineup with Harrow out, to show that he had something to say about losing his starting spot to a true freshman. It was a chance for this team to show that they were passionate about playing for their head coach Sidney Lowe, whose job is on the hot seat more and more every day.
Failure on every count, right out of the gate. As noted earlier State was down huge in the first half, acting like they had no scouting report on UNC at all, and had never played in a hostile environment on the road.
State has no leadership and no fire. Tracy Smith can lead from center, it doesn't have to be a guard. He has fire, but he's not spreading it around. State even HAS a Senior point guard. But no leadership there either. Or is this freshman class not listening? I have a hard time believing that. CJ Leslie can be a bit of a one man show at times. But Brown seems like a team player who is coachable. Ryan Harrow also gives that impression.
The end result was a 84-64 blowout. Lorenzo Brown kept playing throughout and scored 19 points with 5 assists. Tracy Smith had 12 points before fouling out. CJ Leslie turned it off and on and had 14 points and 5 rebounds. Javier Gonzalez did a little bit of everything, with 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The problem there was that while a couple State guys did a little bit of everything, UNC had guys doing ALOT of everything. John Henson had 16 points 18 rebounds and 7 blocks. Harrison Barnes had a career high 25 points, looking like that pre-season All-American that he is, and 5 rebounds. They got lots of work from their energy guys.
State's players look like they've given up on the season. Honestly Sidney Lowe looks like he's given up the season. Pretty much to me it looks like that as soon as Lowe didn't start getting the production he expected out of his freshmen, with Leslie averaging 18 and 10 and Harrow about 15 with 8 assists a game, he quit on the coaching and the adapting to where their strengths are now.
So now I'd say Lowe is gone. I wouldn't be shocked if Leslie transferred. Harrow and Brown would be a bit more surprising, but I expect major upheaval.
I think State needs a coach with a college track record, and at least some functional "system" that works at the college level. I don't know that there is anyone in the NC State family that fits that bill other than Sean Miller at Xavier. Vinnie Del Negro at least has had success in the NBA, so maybe he'd be Candidate B from "in house".
But if they can't get one of those two they need to go outside to try to get what they found in Herb Sendek before.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
time for Sidney Lowe to go
Forget getting ready to play UNC by busting out the Big Red Jacket. How about getting the team ready to play? State is playing like they have no idea what they'd be facing in the Tarheels. They have interior size? They swarm to the ball on defense and get in the passing lanes?
State is playing like they were unaware of any of these things. They're just dribbling around into ball pressure. Lazy, predicable passes that are getting picked off. Going inside soft, or not rotating on the weakside when interior pressure comes.
Once again a turd of a first half by State. 7-31 from the floor in the first half, and that I think that was hitting 2 of their last 3 shots.
I can't believe that year in year out the team is not capable of getting the message about the game plan. I don't think Lowe and the staff is getting them prepared. The talent level goes up but the results never improve. The players never evolve. Javier Gonzalez is a senior who's been playing regularly for four years. But his progression looks more like that of a sophomore compared to a freshman, not a senior compared to a freshman.
This year's freshman? Maybe a tiny bit of progression, but often they look like they're regressing. At some point that's got to be on the coach, the message, and the gameplan. I think it's about that time.
State is playing like they were unaware of any of these things. They're just dribbling around into ball pressure. Lazy, predicable passes that are getting picked off. Going inside soft, or not rotating on the weakside when interior pressure comes.
Once again a turd of a first half by State. 7-31 from the floor in the first half, and that I think that was hitting 2 of their last 3 shots.
I can't believe that year in year out the team is not capable of getting the message about the game plan. I don't think Lowe and the staff is getting them prepared. The talent level goes up but the results never improve. The players never evolve. Javier Gonzalez is a senior who's been playing regularly for four years. But his progression looks more like that of a sophomore compared to a freshman, not a senior compared to a freshman.
This year's freshman? Maybe a tiny bit of progression, but often they look like they're regressing. At some point that's got to be on the coach, the message, and the gameplan. I think it's about that time.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
NC State imploded at Clemson last night
If at one point in the game NC State was leading Clemson 31-12 at Littlejohn Coliseum would you think:
A) NC State was finally putting all that talent together and was going to cruise to a big ACC road win
B) NC State would almost blow the lead but would regroup with the talent they have in order to not blow an entire 19 point lead
C) Score only 19 points the rest of the way, get outscored by 29 from that point on and lose by double digits
If you chose C you must have watched the game.
State totally disappeared after an impressive first 13 minutes or so of the game. They blew a 19 point lead and lost 60-50. They managed a measly 16 points in the second half. So again it was one good half of basketball and one pathetic half.
Tracy Smith was the only State player in double figures with 13 points. Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown each had 9 points.
After 2 straight games playing 9 minutes Javier Gonzalez played 20 last night and scored 5 points.
State shot 39.6% from the floor. They are a very poor shooting team, which is surprising to me given that they have Tracy Smith. Richard Howell would have been expected to shoot a high percentage from in low, and they have a couple guys with reputations as shooters in Wood and Brown. But it's not really happening.
Richard Howell was scoreless. Also in the Hall of Shame for the game was Deshawn Painter who managed to foul out in only 8 minutes of play. CJ Leslie played only 13 minutes and was scoreless.
It's looking more and more like Sidney Lowe has lost this team. It's time for him to go I think. The program needs a new voice and a new idea. State is now 2-4 in the ACC and 12-8 overall.
A) NC State was finally putting all that talent together and was going to cruise to a big ACC road win
B) NC State would almost blow the lead but would regroup with the talent they have in order to not blow an entire 19 point lead
C) Score only 19 points the rest of the way, get outscored by 29 from that point on and lose by double digits
If you chose C you must have watched the game.
State totally disappeared after an impressive first 13 minutes or so of the game. They blew a 19 point lead and lost 60-50. They managed a measly 16 points in the second half. So again it was one good half of basketball and one pathetic half.
Tracy Smith was the only State player in double figures with 13 points. Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown each had 9 points.
After 2 straight games playing 9 minutes Javier Gonzalez played 20 last night and scored 5 points.
State shot 39.6% from the floor. They are a very poor shooting team, which is surprising to me given that they have Tracy Smith. Richard Howell would have been expected to shoot a high percentage from in low, and they have a couple guys with reputations as shooters in Wood and Brown. But it's not really happening.
Richard Howell was scoreless. Also in the Hall of Shame for the game was Deshawn Painter who managed to foul out in only 8 minutes of play. CJ Leslie played only 13 minutes and was scoreless.
It's looking more and more like Sidney Lowe has lost this team. It's time for him to go I think. The program needs a new voice and a new idea. State is now 2-4 in the ACC and 12-8 overall.
Monday, January 24, 2011
So long Armando Galarraga
Last week Detroit signed Galarraga to a $2.3 million contract. The next day they put him on waivers, giving Detroit 10 days to trade or outright release him. That's an odd way to do things, but it's believed the fact that he signed and declined arbitration means that another team wouldn't have to worry about him going to arbitration and getting a big pay day if the team lost the hearing, thus making him more worth taking a risk on at $2.3 million rather than maybe 4 or 5.
Today Detroit completed the presumed trade, with Arizona. Last off-season Detroit traded Edwin Jackson to Arizona. It was also Arizona that first picked up Dontrelle Willis when Detroit waived him last year, though the D-Backs later did the same.
Galarraga was 23-26 in 3 seasons with Detroit, highlighted by the Imperfect Game one-hitter against Cleveland last year. He also led the team in wins his rookie season of 2008, with 13.
In return Detroit got two pitchers who pitched in A-ball last year.
Galarraga's problem was that he always nibbled around the plate which caused him to either walk too many guys and elevate his pitch count into short outings, or he got behind and then got hit hard when he was forced to pitch to the middle of the plate.
He never seemed to have confidence in his stuff, though he could be unhitteable, as the Imperfect Game and his 2008 season showed.
Today Detroit completed the presumed trade, with Arizona. Last off-season Detroit traded Edwin Jackson to Arizona. It was also Arizona that first picked up Dontrelle Willis when Detroit waived him last year, though the D-Backs later did the same.
Galarraga was 23-26 in 3 seasons with Detroit, highlighted by the Imperfect Game one-hitter against Cleveland last year. He also led the team in wins his rookie season of 2008, with 13.
In return Detroit got two pitchers who pitched in A-ball last year.
Galarraga's problem was that he always nibbled around the plate which caused him to either walk too many guys and elevate his pitch count into short outings, or he got behind and then got hit hard when he was forced to pitch to the middle of the plate.
He never seemed to have confidence in his stuff, though he could be unhitteable, as the Imperfect Game and his 2008 season showed.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
NC State held off Miami 72-70 today
State almost blew a 17 point lead with 13 minutes to play but got things done on the defensive end on the last two Miami possessions to seal the win.
Tracy Smith scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Richard Howell had a career high 17 points and 5 rebounds in his first start since December. Scott Wood scored 11 and had 3 3-pointers, and Lorenzo Brown had a nice game finally. He scored 10 points, his first doublefigure game in ACC play, along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Ryan Harrow started again and did a bit of everything. He had 5 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He had a steal with State up 71-70 with 20 seconds to play.
After CJ Williams hit one of two free throws, he combined with Tracy Smith on a steal and the clock ran out as the teams scrambled for the loose ball.
Sidney Lowe shook up the lineup again. Richard Howell, CJ Williams, and Ryan Harrow started. Javier Gonzalez played only 9 minutes and CJ Leslie came off the bench and played only 14 minutes. He had 3 points and 2 rebounds.
State is now 2-3 in the ACC. Sidney Lowe seems to be looking for lineup combinations that click and possibly trying to send a message to Leslie or limit his minutes while he works on some shooting and free throw shooting.
Tracy Smith scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Richard Howell had a career high 17 points and 5 rebounds in his first start since December. Scott Wood scored 11 and had 3 3-pointers, and Lorenzo Brown had a nice game finally. He scored 10 points, his first doublefigure game in ACC play, along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Ryan Harrow started again and did a bit of everything. He had 5 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He had a steal with State up 71-70 with 20 seconds to play.
After CJ Williams hit one of two free throws, he combined with Tracy Smith on a steal and the clock ran out as the teams scrambled for the loose ball.
Sidney Lowe shook up the lineup again. Richard Howell, CJ Williams, and Ryan Harrow started. Javier Gonzalez played only 9 minutes and CJ Leslie came off the bench and played only 14 minutes. He had 3 points and 2 rebounds.
State is now 2-3 in the ACC. Sidney Lowe seems to be looking for lineup combinations that click and possibly trying to send a message to Leslie or limit his minutes while he works on some shooting and free throw shooting.
Friday, January 21, 2011
State fell to Duke on Wednesday night
That tough 1-3 ACC start has materialized. Once again State got off to a terrible start in the first half. They barely shot 30% from the floor in the first half, if that, and went into the break down 42-28. They turned it up in the second half, scoring 50 points. I believe they've scored 50 in the second half of three of their four ACC games. But with the exception of the Wake Forest game they were behind big after a turd of a first half, with too big of a hole to climb out of.
Especially against Duke. Tracy Smith scored 19 points and had 9 rebounds. Ryan Harrow had 15 points and 5 assists. He came off the bench but played 34 minutes and the entire second half, as Javier Gonzalez didn't play in the second half at all. It looks like Sidney Lowe has decided that he wants the more up-tempo style with Harrow full time, and will teach him how to run the half-court set. Previously Harrow tended to run and Gonzalez ran a half-court style. But Gonzalez seems to again have lost confidence and he's not really displaying leadership, so he may now have lost most of his minutes to Harrow.
CJ Leslie scored 13 and had 8 boards. But he was only 4-13 from the floor and 5-10 from the line.
Scott Wood scored 12 on 4 3-pointers, and Richard Howell had 10 points and 7 rebounds. But Duke held State at arms' length and won it 92-78.
After scoring 2 points against FSU, Lorenzo Brown was scoreless against Duke. he had 1 rebound and 1 assist in 20 minutes. A no-show from the guy who should be their best all-around player.
State scored 50 in the second half but so did Duke. You're not really going to run Duke out of a building to come back from a deficit.
The end result is that State is 1-3. They desperately need to string together some wins.
I think the "Lowe Has Got To Gowe" signs are probably going to start popping up. This team has too much talent to finish in the bottom tier of the ACC. There's really not much more he can ask for in a recruiting class and talent. Other than team leadership. Part of that is on Lowe too. For a guy who was a great leader and great floor general as a point guard he sure has had a hard time bringing those traits out in his point guards. Harrow has alot of talent and shows flashes of being great, but no signs of leadership yet.
Especially against Duke. Tracy Smith scored 19 points and had 9 rebounds. Ryan Harrow had 15 points and 5 assists. He came off the bench but played 34 minutes and the entire second half, as Javier Gonzalez didn't play in the second half at all. It looks like Sidney Lowe has decided that he wants the more up-tempo style with Harrow full time, and will teach him how to run the half-court set. Previously Harrow tended to run and Gonzalez ran a half-court style. But Gonzalez seems to again have lost confidence and he's not really displaying leadership, so he may now have lost most of his minutes to Harrow.
CJ Leslie scored 13 and had 8 boards. But he was only 4-13 from the floor and 5-10 from the line.
Scott Wood scored 12 on 4 3-pointers, and Richard Howell had 10 points and 7 rebounds. But Duke held State at arms' length and won it 92-78.
After scoring 2 points against FSU, Lorenzo Brown was scoreless against Duke. he had 1 rebound and 1 assist in 20 minutes. A no-show from the guy who should be their best all-around player.
State scored 50 in the second half but so did Duke. You're not really going to run Duke out of a building to come back from a deficit.
The end result is that State is 1-3. They desperately need to string together some wins.
I think the "Lowe Has Got To Gowe" signs are probably going to start popping up. This team has too much talent to finish in the bottom tier of the ACC. There's really not much more he can ask for in a recruiting class and talent. Other than team leadership. Part of that is on Lowe too. For a guy who was a great leader and great floor general as a point guard he sure has had a hard time bringing those traits out in his point guards. Harrow has alot of talent and shows flashes of being great, but no signs of leadership yet.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
After all that Bret Favre has brought us the last couple years this is amusing
I can't take the credit for finding it myself. A buddy posted it to Facebook but it's pretty funny
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
while I was out of town NC State found ACC Trouble staring it square in the face
State traveled down to Tallahassee on Saturday, where Duke hadn't been able to win as the previous visitor for Florida State. That was ominous. As it turned out State couldn't win either. Florida State led by as much as 20, so by the time State mounted a little Ryan Harrow led rally it was too little too late. The final was 84-71.
Tracy Smith had 19 points on 8-11 shooting. But the rest of the team shot 16-51. That's less than 32% from the floor. You're not going to win many games like that, especially on the road.
Ryan Harrow had 17 points, but most in the last 5 minutes when the outcome was already settled. CJ Leslie had 10 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out. Scott Wood had 10 points as well. Richard Howell had 10 rebounds but only 4 points.
The end result is that State is 1-2 in the ACC. With Duke coming to Raleigh next 1-3 is more likely than not. 8-4 in the ACC after that point to arrive at a winning record, which is probably a requirement at this point for Sidney Lowe to keep his job? Storm clouds, they are a-building.
Tracy Smith had 19 points on 8-11 shooting. But the rest of the team shot 16-51. That's less than 32% from the floor. You're not going to win many games like that, especially on the road.
Ryan Harrow had 17 points, but most in the last 5 minutes when the outcome was already settled. CJ Leslie had 10 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out. Scott Wood had 10 points as well. Richard Howell had 10 rebounds but only 4 points.
The end result is that State is 1-2 in the ACC. With Duke coming to Raleigh next 1-3 is more likely than not. 8-4 in the ACC after that point to arrive at a winning record, which is probably a requirement at this point for Sidney Lowe to keep his job? Storm clouds, they are a-building.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
the first piece of good news for the Brady Hoke Michigan Era
Hoke is saying that Denard Robinson will be staying at Michigan after the two met. Hoke is familiar with a version of the spread offense so it is believed that he's going to run a modified version as he works to transition the player talent again. That is enough to keep Robinson in Ann Arbor, and will utilize his obvious talent. In order to hang in games Robinson will have to throw more.
Speaking of Michigan quarterbacks it was announced during the press conference to introduce Brady Hoke as head coach that Tate Forcier is no longer with the team. Not a surprise after he was declared academically ineligible for the bowl game.
Speaking of Michigan quarterbacks it was announced during the press conference to introduce Brady Hoke as head coach that Tate Forcier is no longer with the team. Not a surprise after he was declared academically ineligible for the bowl game.
NC State finished the college football season ranked in the Top 25
After beating West Virginia in the Champs bowl to finish 9-4, State finished 25th in the final Top 25 poll. Auburn is of course #1 and TCU finished behind them at #2.
Pretty successful season for State. They were picked in the division cellar but finished with the second most wins in team history and a Final Top 25 ranking.
Pretty successful season for State. They were picked in the division cellar but finished with the second most wins in team history and a Final Top 25 ranking.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
NC State suffered its first ACC loss last night
State had a 3 point lead with 4 minutes to play at Boston College. Boston College unleashed a barrage of 3's from that point and outscored State 18-6 from that point, to go on to a 75-66 win.
Tracy Smith had 18 points for the Pack. CJ Leslie added 15 points and 9 rebounds. He was even 2-2 behind the arc. Scott Wood had 12 points and a couple 3's of his own. Ryan Harrow also added 11 points.
State hurt itself by going 5-12 from the free throw line. That's going to hurt you in a close game and it did here. They didn't get to the line much, especially when the offense runs through Tracy Smith (he was 0-2) and they hit fewer.
Tracy Smith had 18 points for the Pack. CJ Leslie added 15 points and 9 rebounds. He was even 2-2 behind the arc. Scott Wood had 12 points and a couple 3's of his own. Ryan Harrow also added 11 points.
State hurt itself by going 5-12 from the free throw line. That's going to hurt you in a close game and it did here. They didn't get to the line much, especially when the offense runs through Tracy Smith (he was 0-2) and they hit fewer.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
so long Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman retired today. He is baseball's all-time saves leader with 601. That is currently 41 more than Mariano Rivera. Hoffman was a dominant closer for many years with the Padres. He lost his closer role in Milwaukee last season, but pitched well enough that he got a farewell tour of closing over the last month or so of the season and notched career save 600 to be the first pitcher to that milestone, then number 601.
I would presume Hoffman will be finding his way to Cooperstown. Will he be first ballot? I don't know. The Hall hasn't been easy on relief pitchers. Goose Gossage is in. So are Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley.
But Lee Smith, who was the all-time saves leader at the time he retired, got fewer than 50% of the vote in this year's Hall of Fame balloting. John Franco, who was #4 on the career saves list and had more saves than any left-handed pitcher in history, didn't even get the 5% of the vote this year to stay on future Hall ballots. His chances are done. I'm not saying I was expecting Franco to make the Hall of Fame, but I didn't expect his chances to be totally over after the first balloting, on which he got 11 votes or something like that.
Hoffman though was so good and so consistent for so long, and he's amassed 601 saves, so I think he's going to get in. You can say what you want about the watered down saves in today's game, the lack of 2-inning saves, etc. But Hoffman still went out there and notched 601 of them. Closers get hurt or flame out frequently. The lifespan is short.
For example Eric Gagne was the best closer in baseball for about a 3 year period. He converted 80 some straight save opportunities or something like that, which is the major league record. But then he hurt his arm. He was never the same. By last year he was out of the game with just a hair over 100 career saves. Despite being the game's best closer for 3 years, that was pretty much all he did. Hoffman kept doing it for over 20 years.
I'm not sure if Hoffman will be a first ballot Hall of Famer like Mariano Rivera will be. But then Rivera will almost certainly end up with the all time saves record. He's also the all time best post-season closer in baseball, and has something like 60 post-season saves and a sub- 1.00 ERA on the game's biggest stage.
Hoffman doesn't quite have the clutch post-season reputation, but he did have a few marquee saves in the post-season and raised the bar and the standard for closers. So he will be in, if not first ballot no wore than second I'd say. And I expect he'll be wearing a Padres hat.
I would presume Hoffman will be finding his way to Cooperstown. Will he be first ballot? I don't know. The Hall hasn't been easy on relief pitchers. Goose Gossage is in. So are Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley.
But Lee Smith, who was the all-time saves leader at the time he retired, got fewer than 50% of the vote in this year's Hall of Fame balloting. John Franco, who was #4 on the career saves list and had more saves than any left-handed pitcher in history, didn't even get the 5% of the vote this year to stay on future Hall ballots. His chances are done. I'm not saying I was expecting Franco to make the Hall of Fame, but I didn't expect his chances to be totally over after the first balloting, on which he got 11 votes or something like that.
Hoffman though was so good and so consistent for so long, and he's amassed 601 saves, so I think he's going to get in. You can say what you want about the watered down saves in today's game, the lack of 2-inning saves, etc. But Hoffman still went out there and notched 601 of them. Closers get hurt or flame out frequently. The lifespan is short.
For example Eric Gagne was the best closer in baseball for about a 3 year period. He converted 80 some straight save opportunities or something like that, which is the major league record. But then he hurt his arm. He was never the same. By last year he was out of the game with just a hair over 100 career saves. Despite being the game's best closer for 3 years, that was pretty much all he did. Hoffman kept doing it for over 20 years.
I'm not sure if Hoffman will be a first ballot Hall of Famer like Mariano Rivera will be. But then Rivera will almost certainly end up with the all time saves record. He's also the all time best post-season closer in baseball, and has something like 60 post-season saves and a sub- 1.00 ERA on the game's biggest stage.
Hoffman doesn't quite have the clutch post-season reputation, but he did have a few marquee saves in the post-season and raised the bar and the standard for closers. So he will be in, if not first ballot no wore than second I'd say. And I expect he'll be wearing a Padres hat.
the Tigers have signed Brad Penny
Detroit signed Brad Penny to a 1 year $3 million contract with additional incentives. Penny missed most of last season with a back injury.
If he's healthy though he's 32 and is capable of being an All-Star level pitcher. His career record is 108-88 with an ERA just over 4. Low risk high reward. We'll see what he can bring, as he'll be taking the rotation spot that had been held down by Jeremy Bonderman.
If he's healthy though he's 32 and is capable of being an All-Star level pitcher. His career record is 108-88 with an ERA just over 4. Low risk high reward. We'll see what he can bring, as he'll be taking the rotation spot that had been held down by Jeremy Bonderman.
Brady Hoke however will be...
Hours after Les Miles opted to stay at LSU Michigan announced San Diego State coach Brady Hoke as its new head coach. It was Hoke's name that had kept coming up as choice #2 if Jim Harbaugh passed on the job.
Brady Hoke spent 8 years as a Michigan assistant coach. He was the defensive line coach on the 1997 National Championship team, which also led the nation in run defense.
Hoke has authored turnarounds at both Ball State and San Diego State, taking both to bowl games after years of mediocrity. He also has other coaching experience in the state of Michigan. All that will help with recruiting in that area.
Some analysts say that if he brings his San Diego State offensive coordinator with him they have the offensive minds to bridge the offensive system, still utilizing Rich Rodriguez's pieces but in a more multi-dimensional way. We'll see if Denard Robinson stays though.
Brady Hoke spent 8 years as a Michigan assistant coach. He was the defensive line coach on the 1997 National Championship team, which also led the nation in run defense.
Hoke has authored turnarounds at both Ball State and San Diego State, taking both to bowl games after years of mediocrity. He also has other coaching experience in the state of Michigan. All that will help with recruiting in that area.
Some analysts say that if he brings his San Diego State offensive coordinator with him they have the offensive minds to bridge the offensive system, still utilizing Rich Rodriguez's pieces but in a more multi-dimensional way. We'll see if Denard Robinson stays though.
Les Miles will not be the head coach at Michigan
Despite what the anonymous sources said, Les Miles decided to stay at LSU. He's settled in well there and they have close to, if not outright, national championship level talent there.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Auburn is the 2010 National Champion
Auburn beat Oregon 22-19 on a 19 yard field goal as time expired. Oregon had capitalized on a Cam Newton fumble to score and converted a 2 point conversion to tie it. But Auburn got a 37 yard run on a play where the running back's landed atop the defender's body on a tackle. He got back up and took off at the direction of his sideline. Auburn then went for a quick hitter on a play when Oregon was expecting a save 2 yard and a pile of dust run to center the ball for a field goal. Instead they got the quick burst up the middle that was first ruled a touchdown with 10 seconds left, but later ruled down at the half-yard line.
Auburn's defense stopped Oregon's running game. The Ducks averaged 302 on the ground all year and were held to 76. Auburn's pass rush and speed bothered Oregon and they were physically overpowered by that size and speed. Auburn had a good plan in place. They made a 4th down goal line stand that was pivotal and also delivered a safety.
Auburn has won its 2nd ever National Championship. The SEC has now claimed the last 5 in a row.
That was a good game!
Auburn's defense stopped Oregon's running game. The Ducks averaged 302 on the ground all year and were held to 76. Auburn's pass rush and speed bothered Oregon and they were physically overpowered by that size and speed. Auburn had a good plan in place. They made a 4th down goal line stand that was pivotal and also delivered a safety.
Auburn has won its 2nd ever National Championship. The SEC has now claimed the last 5 in a row.
That was a good game!
Michigan talked to Les Miles today
I have been wondering if Harbaugh didn't work out if Michigan would go after Les Miles again. The second time can be the charm sometimes, as Roy Williams showed UNC years back.
Who knows, maybe the impact of Miles being the #1 candidate, turning down the job, then seeing what ensued when the guy they brought in instead didn't fit, makes it different if the opportunity knocks again. That is almost what it seemed like happened with Roy Williams and UNC.
ESPN says that the Miles-Michigan meeting happened today. The ever popular unnamed sources with knowledge as to what the coach is thinking are saying that Miles is likely to accept the job if it is offered. We'll see.
Who knows, maybe the impact of Miles being the #1 candidate, turning down the job, then seeing what ensued when the guy they brought in instead didn't fit, makes it different if the opportunity knocks again. That is almost what it seemed like happened with Roy Williams and UNC.
ESPN says that the Miles-Michigan meeting happened today. The ever popular unnamed sources with knowledge as to what the coach is thinking are saying that Miles is likely to accept the job if it is offered. We'll see.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
NC State dominated Wake Forest today
Today's game against Wake was one game of course, but it was a positive start. State overwhelmed and ran away from a team that from the looks of how their non-conference schedule went will be near or at the bottom of the conference.
State went on a late first half run to take a 10 point lead into the half then extended things out to as large as 29 points.
State shot well, dominated Wake inside and owned the glass. They had 20 offensive rebounds in the game, at one point on 28 missed shots.
Tracy Smith led the way with an All-ACC performance. He had 23 points and 11 rebounds, 5 offensive, and imposed his will inside. C.J. Leslie played off of the attention Smith got, which is what he needs to do. He was able to penetrate, get to the glass on missed shots, and score or go to the line. He had 19 points and 6 rebounds, 5 offensive. He was 7-8 from the line.
C.J. Williams had 16 points. That's definitely a season high and maybe a career high. He scored on hustle plays and did good work hitting short mid-range jumpers in the gaps within the Wake Forest zone. Williams added 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Scott Wood had 11 points and 4 rebounds. Lorenzo Brown added 8 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Richard Howell chipped in 6 points and 5 rebounds and Ryan Harrow had 5 points and 5 assists.
State won big 90-69. They were big on the glass, played good defense, and got the fast break going off of missed shots and turnovers, particularly in the seconf half when they ran Wake out of the RBC Center. They're 11-4 on the year. Now the big test begins. 4 of their next 6 games are on the road and one of the home games is against Duke.
State went on a late first half run to take a 10 point lead into the half then extended things out to as large as 29 points.
State shot well, dominated Wake inside and owned the glass. They had 20 offensive rebounds in the game, at one point on 28 missed shots.
Tracy Smith led the way with an All-ACC performance. He had 23 points and 11 rebounds, 5 offensive, and imposed his will inside. C.J. Leslie played off of the attention Smith got, which is what he needs to do. He was able to penetrate, get to the glass on missed shots, and score or go to the line. He had 19 points and 6 rebounds, 5 offensive. He was 7-8 from the line.
C.J. Williams had 16 points. That's definitely a season high and maybe a career high. He scored on hustle plays and did good work hitting short mid-range jumpers in the gaps within the Wake Forest zone. Williams added 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Scott Wood had 11 points and 4 rebounds. Lorenzo Brown added 8 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Richard Howell chipped in 6 points and 5 rebounds and Ryan Harrow had 5 points and 5 assists.
State won big 90-69. They were big on the glass, played good defense, and got the fast break going off of missed shots and turnovers, particularly in the seconf half when they ran Wake out of the RBC Center. They're 11-4 on the year. Now the big test begins. 4 of their next 6 games are on the road and one of the home games is against Duke.
Friday, January 7, 2011
No Harbaugh for Michigan
Jim Harbaugh signed a 5 year $25 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. So Michigan will be looking elsewhere for its new head coach.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar will headline the 2011 Baseball Hall of Fame class
For Bert Blyleven the call finally came for him in his 15th year of eligibility. He came up 4 votes short last year. Many had claimed that Blyleven's career numbers were very good, but just short of Hall Worthy. He won 287 games. He had 60 career shutouts, and is 5th on the all-time strikeouts list with 3701. He wasn't flashy but he was good. Over the years a number of statisticians have looked over his career stats using the newer sabermetric stats. His sabermetrics rank him up there very well with other Hall of Fame pitchers, even if the traditional stats fell a bit short in some eyes. Bill James apparently looked over all of Blyleven's losses and no-decisions and determined it was just bad luck that he came up 13 wins shy of 300. There were no more details though as to whether those were cases of poor run support, unearned runs, bullpens blowing big leads, or something else.
Roberto Alomar is one of the best second basemen ever. He's in his second year of eligibility. Many think that the infamous incident where he spit in the face of umpire John Hershbeck cost him first ballot election. The two have long since made up, are friends and do charitable work together, and Hershbeck supports Alomar's candidacy. Alomar was a career .300 hitter and won 10 Gold Glove Awards.
Rafael Palmerio made his ballot debut. He has first ballot numbers, but was the first big name player to be suspended for steroid use. He got only 11 percent of ballots. Mark McGwire dropped to 19%. Jeff Bagwell was in his first year of eligibility and got 41% of votes. He never tested positive for steroids or had his name come up, but he played in that era of suspicion. Now comes the time when we see how the steroid users will be treated. Palmiero's result is very telling, since his numbers would be overwhelmingly first ballot in and of themselves. This bodes poorly for Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds in the upcoming years. Bagwell? We'll have to see whether suspicion of his numbers in the era he played in, versus other known steroid abusers take their toll.
Roberto Alomar is one of the best second basemen ever. He's in his second year of eligibility. Many think that the infamous incident where he spit in the face of umpire John Hershbeck cost him first ballot election. The two have long since made up, are friends and do charitable work together, and Hershbeck supports Alomar's candidacy. Alomar was a career .300 hitter and won 10 Gold Glove Awards.
Rafael Palmerio made his ballot debut. He has first ballot numbers, but was the first big name player to be suspended for steroid use. He got only 11 percent of ballots. Mark McGwire dropped to 19%. Jeff Bagwell was in his first year of eligibility and got 41% of votes. He never tested positive for steroids or had his name come up, but he played in that era of suspicion. Now comes the time when we see how the steroid users will be treated. Palmiero's result is very telling, since his numbers would be overwhelmingly first ballot in and of themselves. This bodes poorly for Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds in the upcoming years. Bagwell? We'll have to see whether suspicion of his numbers in the era he played in, versus other known steroid abusers take their toll.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
NC State fended off Elon tonight in their final non-conference game
For the second time this season State trailed at the half against a team they should have overmatched. But they got rolling in the second half at least and put the game away. CJ Leslie scored 19 points. Tracy Smith scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half, in his return to the starting lineup. Ryan Harrow had 17 points. Scott Wood had 11 of his 13 points in the second half, and Richard Howell added 11.
State pulled away to win 87-72. They enter conference play at 10-4. I'd call that an unproven 10-4 though since, with the possible exception of a win over George Mason, the four quality teams they played were all losses.
I would imagine a bottom half finish in the ACC would cost Sidney Lowe his job.
State pulled away to win 87-72. They enter conference play at 10-4. I'd call that an unproven 10-4 though since, with the possible exception of a win over George Mason, the four quality teams they played were all losses.
I would imagine a bottom half finish in the ACC would cost Sidney Lowe his job.
So I just finished reading Duff McKagan's article at ESPN.com
Wait? Duff McKagan writes articles for ESPN.com? Duff McKagan has functional brain cells left after his Guns 'N' Roses days?
Apparently so. I'll mark this down as the least likely thing that I expected to encounter today. *Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, the surviving aliens from the Roswell Crash, and a productive US Congress filled with the spirit of teamwork all nod in agreement*
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/music/news/story?id=5988617
Apparently so. I'll mark this down as the least likely thing that I expected to encounter today. *Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster, the surviving aliens from the Roswell Crash, and a productive US Congress filled with the spirit of teamwork all nod in agreement*
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/music/news/story?id=5988617
Okay NOW Rich Rodriguez has been fired
It is official. Let's hope that the search for a new head football coach isn't conducted to the tune of Yakety Sax.
the mystery continues
First Rich Rodriguez was fired according to Detroit news outlets. Then he wasn't fired according to a statement from Michigan. Now he is fired, according to more sources reporting to ESPN.
Schrodinger's Coach....cat may or may not be included, but it could probably coach defense better than the current staff.
Schrodinger's Coach....cat may or may not be included, but it could probably coach defense better than the current staff.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
RichRod Gone?
The Fox affiliate out of Detroit is reporting that Michigan has fired Rich Rodriguez. There's no official word from the school yet, nor any word regarding a replacement.
I hope Michigan has a better plan than the post-Lloyd Carr retirement. At that time Les Miles of LSU was Plan A, B, and C. When he decided to stay in Baton Rouge Michigan was left scrambling.
I do feel bad for Rich Rodriguez. He seems like a legitimately nice guy. When he came to Michigan he was one of the country's Golden Boy Coaches, after building West Virginia into national championship contenders. He was up there with Urban Meyer and anyone with the last name of Stoops.
Three years later he leaves Michigan with 1 bowl appearance, no bowl wins, no winning records in the Big Ten. Only one overall winning record. Michigan is on NCAA Probation for violations under his watch. I'm sure he'll find another job quickly but his penny isn't quite as shiny leaving Ann Arbor as it was arriving.
I hope Michigan has a better plan than the post-Lloyd Carr retirement. At that time Les Miles of LSU was Plan A, B, and C. When he decided to stay in Baton Rouge Michigan was left scrambling.
I do feel bad for Rich Rodriguez. He seems like a legitimately nice guy. When he came to Michigan he was one of the country's Golden Boy Coaches, after building West Virginia into national championship contenders. He was up there with Urban Meyer and anyone with the last name of Stoops.
Three years later he leaves Michigan with 1 bowl appearance, no bowl wins, no winning records in the Big Ten. Only one overall winning record. Michigan is on NCAA Probation for violations under his watch. I'm sure he'll find another job quickly but his penny isn't quite as shiny leaving Ann Arbor as it was arriving.
RichRod Update
ESPN is reporting that Michigan's AD will be meeting with Rich Rodriguez "imminently" about his status.
Translated: Michigan will be firing Rich Rodriguez imminently.
Translated: Michigan will be firing Rich Rodriguez imminently.
Monday, January 3, 2011
ESPN is reporting that Jim Harbaugh "is not expected to return to Stanford"
No word on where he is expected to go. If he's going elsewhere I would be very surprised if it was somewhere other than Michigan. The Michigan job would return him to his alma mater, where he would be greeted as the savior arriving to resurrect the glory of the Michigan program. In addition to the frustration and embarrassment created during the Rich Rodriguez tenure, Harbaugh's return would bring back one of Michigan's most popular former players, and re-establish a direct link to the Bo Schembechler era.
If he goes to the NFL he's just another NFL coach trying to juggle some high draft picks into a more successful team. The NFL is littered with former coaches who were very successful NFL coaches. Look at Pete Carroll. Sure he took the Seahawks to the playoffs. But that's more a tribute to how crappy the NFC West was. Seattle finished 7-9 and are the first division champion with a losing record in NFL history. Sure when they fly that flag atop the stadium next season it will say "NFC West Champions" and the record won't be mentioned. But still, they finished one game better than the Lions.
If Harbaugh does come to Michigan I sure hope he handles his Stanford departure better than Rick Edsell handled his exit at UConn to head to Maryland. Edsell didn't take the team flight home after the bowl game. Players started getting texts that he was jumping ship around the time they got off the plane in Connecticut. Apparently only a few players got the courtesy of a personal phone call. That's pretty douchey. Especially for a unit that had bonded tightly in the aftermath of having a player get murdered last year.
I'm not saying there's no problem with leaving for another job. UConn wouldn't hesitate to fire him. Look at how Maryland handled Ralph Friedgen. He won 6 more games than last year. Earned a bowl game and won it. Won ACC Coach of the Year, not for the first time in his run at Maryland I believe. Had the ACC Offensive Freshman of the Year in his QB, so he had some weapons to continue solid success. And got fired anyway.
Universities don't show loyalty to coaches either, but Edsell owed his players better than a few text messages, then letting the news get spread around word of mouth. Especially after he made a player announce in front of the whole team that he was leaving for the NFL.
If he goes to the NFL he's just another NFL coach trying to juggle some high draft picks into a more successful team. The NFL is littered with former coaches who were very successful NFL coaches. Look at Pete Carroll. Sure he took the Seahawks to the playoffs. But that's more a tribute to how crappy the NFC West was. Seattle finished 7-9 and are the first division champion with a losing record in NFL history. Sure when they fly that flag atop the stadium next season it will say "NFC West Champions" and the record won't be mentioned. But still, they finished one game better than the Lions.
If Harbaugh does come to Michigan I sure hope he handles his Stanford departure better than Rick Edsell handled his exit at UConn to head to Maryland. Edsell didn't take the team flight home after the bowl game. Players started getting texts that he was jumping ship around the time they got off the plane in Connecticut. Apparently only a few players got the courtesy of a personal phone call. That's pretty douchey. Especially for a unit that had bonded tightly in the aftermath of having a player get murdered last year.
I'm not saying there's no problem with leaving for another job. UConn wouldn't hesitate to fire him. Look at how Maryland handled Ralph Friedgen. He won 6 more games than last year. Earned a bowl game and won it. Won ACC Coach of the Year, not for the first time in his run at Maryland I believe. Had the ACC Offensive Freshman of the Year in his QB, so he had some weapons to continue solid success. And got fired anyway.
Universities don't show loyalty to coaches either, but Edsell owed his players better than a few text messages, then letting the news get spread around word of mouth. Especially after he made a player announce in front of the whole team that he was leaving for the NFL.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
TCU does it
TCU beat Wisconsin 21-19 to win the Rose Bowl. It's not an upset on paper since TCU was actually ranked 3rd to Wisconsin's 5th. But in reality most people expected TCU to run them over.
I love seeing games like this with a contrast in style, where there can be plenty of assumption of who is going to do what, but you still have to play the game.
TCU star linebacker Tank Cardner knocked down a 2 point conversion pass attempt that would have tied the game with 2 minutes to play. Had he not there was a guy wide open behind him, where the pass was going.
TCU recovered an onside kick, and with Wisconsin down to only 1 timeout they got the one first down they needed to run out the clock.
As a result the Big Ten falls to 0-5 in today's bowl games. "Black Saturday" for Big Ten football. When Ohio State plays Arkansas in a few days they're going to have their hands full there too, so it might not get any better.
I love seeing games like this with a contrast in style, where there can be plenty of assumption of who is going to do what, but you still have to play the game.
TCU star linebacker Tank Cardner knocked down a 2 point conversion pass attempt that would have tied the game with 2 minutes to play. Had he not there was a guy wide open behind him, where the pass was going.
TCU recovered an onside kick, and with Wisconsin down to only 1 timeout they got the one first down they needed to run out the clock.
As a result the Big Ten falls to 0-5 in today's bowl games. "Black Saturday" for Big Ten football. When Ohio State plays Arkansas in a few days they're going to have their hands full there too, so it might not get any better.
TCU is for real (if there was any doubt before)
So much for that TCU trouble. They've been able to use speed and penetration to disrupt Wisconsin's running game, and have gotten pressure to the quarterback. They came into the game with the nation's #1 ranked defense, and actually held that title last year too. Obviously that ranking is not a total mirage.
TCU is up 21-13 with the ball as he head to the 4th quarter. One quarter away from a Rose Bowl win, which would be made all the more impressive by how well Wisconsin had been playing leading up to the game. That's the problem with a month layoff though. Wisconsin got their momentum derailed by a layoff.
TCU is up 21-13 with the ball as he head to the 4th quarter. One quarter away from a Rose Bowl win, which would be made all the more impressive by how well Wisconsin had been playing leading up to the game. That's the problem with a month layoff though. Wisconsin got their momentum derailed by a layoff.
TCU trouble?
Wisconsin gashed TCU with a 40 yard run on the first play from scrimmage in the Rose Bowl. Is this a sign that their big offensive line is going to push around TCU's undersized defense all game?
sad as it is, Michigan wasn't quite at THE rock bottom today
Hell, Michigan only lost by 38 in getting beat down by Mississippi State, 52-14. Michigan State managed to lose by 42 to Alabama, in a 49-7 Capital One Bowl slaughter.
I didn't see that one coming.
Add to that Florida beating Penn State 37-24 in the Outback Bowl in Urban Meyers' Florida coaching finale, and the SEC absolutely owned the Big Ten today. That game was a 6 point game and a Pick 6 accounted for the final score as Penn State tried a final drive comeback, so it was closer than the score indicated. But still, the SEC is 3-0 against the Big Ten, with two routs, today.
EDIT: Adding insult to the injury of the SEC embarrassing them today, Northwestern lost to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl. So the Big Ten is 0-4 on New Year's Day so far.
I didn't see that one coming.
Add to that Florida beating Penn State 37-24 in the Outback Bowl in Urban Meyers' Florida coaching finale, and the SEC absolutely owned the Big Ten today. That game was a 6 point game and a Pick 6 accounted for the final score as Penn State tried a final drive comeback, so it was closer than the score indicated. But still, the SEC is 3-0 against the Big Ten, with two routs, today.
EDIT: Adding insult to the injury of the SEC embarrassing them today, Northwestern lost to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl. So the Big Ten is 0-4 on New Year's Day so far.
the all-time bowl lowlight for Michigan football
Michigan was up 14-10 and the offense was looking good. Then Mississippi State made adjustments and it was all Mississippi State after that. AAAAAAAALL Mississippi State. To the tune of 52-14. Denard Robinson Robinson was 27-41 for 256 yards with 2 TDs and a pick. He rushed 11 times for 56 yards. As Mississippi State's lead grew though Robinson's running was limited and he tried to do more with his arm. Mississippi State allowed nothing. Michigan had 85 rushing yards, including Robinson's total. They became one-dimensional. They couldn't move the ball. Michigan's defense was totally pounded to dust, giving up 491 yards of offense.
I'm not convinced that Rich Rodriguez would lose his job automatically if Michigan lost the game. However they got pounded. The team seemed like it quit pretty much. There were a couple pass drops that would have been touchdowns.
Knowing that their coach's job may be on the line, the team didn't come out inspired or fired up. The coaching staff couldn't come up with a way to slow down a Mississippi State offense that isn't exactly overwhelming, even with a month to watch film. Given what could be at stake both facts are troubling. At this point I do believe Rodriguez is going to lose his job. Like the game announcers said, if that was the last statement or last thing for the Michigan AD to look at and consider as he makes his decision, it was not a positive last taste.
There are some NFL teams that are interested in Jim Harbaugh, and Stanford extended his contract with a raise, but I think Michigan will throw a big money offer to Harbaugh to see if he'll accept. Brady Hoke, head coach at San Diego State and former Michigan assistant, is also a hot commodity now.
I'm not convinced that Rich Rodriguez would lose his job automatically if Michigan lost the game. However they got pounded. The team seemed like it quit pretty much. There were a couple pass drops that would have been touchdowns.
Knowing that their coach's job may be on the line, the team didn't come out inspired or fired up. The coaching staff couldn't come up with a way to slow down a Mississippi State offense that isn't exactly overwhelming, even with a month to watch film. Given what could be at stake both facts are troubling. At this point I do believe Rodriguez is going to lose his job. Like the game announcers said, if that was the last statement or last thing for the Michigan AD to look at and consider as he makes his decision, it was not a positive last taste.
There are some NFL teams that are interested in Jim Harbaugh, and Stanford extended his contract with a raise, but I think Michigan will throw a big money offer to Harbaugh to see if he'll accept. Brady Hoke, head coach at San Diego State and former Michigan assistant, is also a hot commodity now.
NC State crushed San Diego
It wasn't even San Diego State as I'd been thinking, but no matter.
Tracy Smith led the Pack with 16 points off the bench in his return after missing the previous 10 games. Lorenzo Brown had 14 points. Richard Howell had a double-double with 13 points and a career high 13 rebounds. He also added 5 assists, a couple steals, and hit his first 3-pointer of the season. Howell operated very well in tandem with Smith, and with Smith occupying a lot of attention from the defense.
Ryan Harrow added 13 points. Deshawn Painter added 8 points and 6 rebounds. CJ Leslie had 8 rebounds, even though he added only 2 points. He was active on the glass, but needs to learn how to play with Tracy Smith and utilize the attention that he will draw.
CJ Williams added 7 points. State was finally able to play their expected 9 man rotation, with some contribution at times from Jordan Vandenberg. They went with the 9 man rotation today. The final was 76-54.
State has one more game against Elon at the Greensboro Coliseum before the ACC schedule begins with Wake Forest. State is now 9-4 and you would expect will be 10-4 heading into ACC play.
They have all their pieces now. I think with this record it will require at least a 9-7 ACC record and probably a win or two in the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. The ACC isn't strong in the rankings right now other than Duke but State is going to need some wins over ranked team to pad a resume that has nothing impressive yet after losses to Syracuse, Georgetown, Arizona, and the destruction at Wisconsin.
Tracy Smith led the Pack with 16 points off the bench in his return after missing the previous 10 games. Lorenzo Brown had 14 points. Richard Howell had a double-double with 13 points and a career high 13 rebounds. He also added 5 assists, a couple steals, and hit his first 3-pointer of the season. Howell operated very well in tandem with Smith, and with Smith occupying a lot of attention from the defense.
Ryan Harrow added 13 points. Deshawn Painter added 8 points and 6 rebounds. CJ Leslie had 8 rebounds, even though he added only 2 points. He was active on the glass, but needs to learn how to play with Tracy Smith and utilize the attention that he will draw.
CJ Williams added 7 points. State was finally able to play their expected 9 man rotation, with some contribution at times from Jordan Vandenberg. They went with the 9 man rotation today. The final was 76-54.
State has one more game against Elon at the Greensboro Coliseum before the ACC schedule begins with Wake Forest. State is now 9-4 and you would expect will be 10-4 heading into ACC play.
They have all their pieces now. I think with this record it will require at least a 9-7 ACC record and probably a win or two in the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament. The ACC isn't strong in the rankings right now other than Duke but State is going to need some wins over ranked team to pad a resume that has nothing impressive yet after losses to Syracuse, Georgetown, Arizona, and the destruction at Wisconsin.
a nice New Year's Day present for NC State
Tracy Smith has entered the game off the bench against San Diego State. He's already got 6 points, as he's getting fed big time down low. He's also passing out of double teams to open spot up shooters or cutters. Just like that State has an offensive identity and go to guy. They certainly have the athletes to freelance and run in transition. Now Smith's return gives them a definitive target and means to execute a half court set. He also gives them energy, leadership, a defensive presence down low, and a technically sound rebounder. CJ Leslie has proven he can rebound but he lacks some bulk and also forgets to box out at times.
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