Archive for January, 2010
Disaster
Jan 28th
I’m sick to my stomach after watching Virginia collapse like that. If I say anything more, it’s likely to be something I will regret.
That said, I’ll leave it at this: every single person associated with the Virginia basketball program should be embarrassed by that performance down the stretch. A complete joke.
The offense
Jan 27th
Over at Dear Old U.Va., Ben takes a very interesting look at Virginia’s offense, and asks if they are headed in the wrong direction.
I agree with his general observation that sample sizes are too small to draw any grand conclusions. The problem Tony Bennett’s squad is facing is that they really don’t have very many legitimate ACC weapons in the offensive fold. Sylven Landesberg is a stud, and Mike Scott is a good low-post threat, and several others complement those two…but it’s tough to win in this conference without more serious threats.
That said, the team is efficient, they handle the ball well and take good shots. That goes a long way. Just ask Bob Knight, whose teams relied on just those offensive principles for years.
Can’t wait for the Hokies tomorrow!
Fun, fun, fun
Jan 25th
Yeah, we had an ugly game this weekend, but the Hoos are still tied for first place in the ACC. That’s a good thing.
Also a good thing: one of my good friends, since childhood, has always been a huge fan of the UNC Tar Holes. I saw him this morning. I very much enjoyed asking him about the ACC standings. He refused to answer.
Gotta take these opportunities while I can. Fun, fun, fun.
Where’s Calvin Baker?
Jan 25th
Just a couple of weeks ago, we were discussing the fact that Calvin Baker seemed to find a role in the program, and had been named one of the team’s captains. Now, not so much. Jontel Baker has really taken off, and now this:
Following Virginia’s 69-57 loss at Wake Forest on Saturday, the normally talkative Tony Bennett suddenly turned laconic when asked to elaborate on guard Calvin Baker’s status. Baker, a senior co-captain, didn’t make the trip to Winston-Salem.
“Coach’s decision” was all Bennett would say.
On Sunday, sources confirmed to the Daily Progress that Baker’s situation is related to his displeasure with his reduced role on the team. The sources said Baker’s future status is in flux.
I can understand Baker’s frustration, but I’m not going to question the way Bennett has handled this team or the rotation. Bennett is doing an exceptional job, from my vantage point.
It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Prepare to be impressed
Jan 24th
These videos were linked last night by Chris Horne, the recruiting guru over at The Sabre. Both provide a look at James Johnson, one of Tony Bennett’s recruits who will be enrolling at UVa in the fall. The first is a profile that aired on Fox Sports:
Well, that stunk
Jan 23rd
I love the way the Hoos fought and fought and fought after putting themselves into a deep hole early, but you just can’t allow a team like Wake Forest to shoot 52% and expect to win.
Next up: the Hokies, on Thursday at JPJ. A win would mean a 4-1 start in the conference, and I’ll take that every year.
A quick note
Jan 23rd
No matter what happens in today’s game vs. Weak Forest, and no matter what happens over the rest of the season…
…I’m really happy that Virginia didn’t hire Tubby Smith. We got the right guy.
A quick peek at the ACC standings
Jan 21st
Check out the ACC men’s basketball standings here. Lots of interesting stuff, and we might as well enjoy it while we can.
Of course, Virginia is in first place, the only undefeated team in the conference. There are some other interesting items in that chart, as well. Take a look at each team’s record against teams ranked in the Top 25. Every team other than Miami has played at least one game against ranked teams. Of the 11 remaining teams, only one is undefeated in those games. Yep, you guessed it: Virginia, at 3-0. North Carolina has lost four games against ranked teams.
Next, take a look at the “STRK” column. How beautiful is it to see Virginia with a 9-game winning streak, and UNC with a 4-game losing streak?
Also, as mentioned in a post below, not only is UVa the only undefeated team in the ACC, but every other team besided Maryland has at least two losses. It’s unreal. What’s next? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria?
As badly as this season started, no one could have expected to see Virginia in this position at this point. You can go back through the archives here and see that I’ve been very consistent in saying that the team was improving markedly with each game and that I was excited about the direction Tony Bennett was taking this team…but no way could I have predicted this much success once ACC play started.
Okay, now it’s time for the inevitable “Don’t get too excited” statement. It’s good advice, really. A team is never as good as it looks on it’s best day, and it’s never as bad as it looks on it’s worst day. Virginia will likely not remain in first place throughout the season. However, anything that happens after this point is just icing on the cake. Tony Bennett has taken a cast of misfits, has-beens, and never-wases (plus Sylven Landesberg and Mike Scott), and turned them into a competitive outfit. It’s so much fun to watch.
Whatever happens for the rest of this season, this team is going to be remembered fondly. They play very hard, and they are all making every effort to play the style Coach Bennett likes…and it’s clear that style is going to work. Sit back and enjoy, Virginia fans. The next decade could be a lot of fun.
Everything is right with the world
Jan 21st
It’s raining and dreary outside my window this morning, but all is still right with the world.
Virginia is undefeated, and sitting in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. UNC lost last night. Duke lost last night.
Heck, even Georgetown went into hostile territory and defeated #11-ranked Pittsburgh, who was previously unbeaten in Big East play. (I’m sorry to confess to divided loyalties; I’m a UVa grad — CLAS 1996 — but I’m also a graduate of Georgetown Law. Gotta root for the Hoyas, too.)
Anyway, everything just seems a little brighter today, doesn’t it? It’s good to be a Hoo.
