Posted last night…first one, but the cyber gobblers gobbled it up…so here goes again.
FIRST, if you have not read the November Issue of the Wolfpacker, I highly recommend it. I got up early with the DW and then had a little time to kill. It has a LOT of good articles on the players and their backgrounds. It also filled in some stuff for me. In addition, GoPack.com has a pretty complete overview or summary of the upcoming games. Very informative.
Last night, I watched from our seats in the Champions Club and saw the team see-saw during the first half….then settle down during the second. It was a very strong and good win. NOW, who knows how good or bad Richmond was playing. Their three guys did score a bunch of points. The crowd was small, but really into the game. It was a great game, from a fan’s viewpoint.
NOT BEING paid the big $$’s as a talking head or a coach or even a novice, I will offer some observations. Many have commented and hope this is not redundant.
Gott talked about the game and, in particular, Lacey. Last night, Cat was off. In the previous home games, it was a “friendly” (hopefully) competition between the two. There was barely a 2 point difference when both were on the floor. Last night, Lacey ran away with 19 points (memory) during the first half. Cat only had 2. During the second half, Turner took over and went from maybe 6 or so to 23. Cat finally got 2 FT’s and a FG for a total of 6. Their combined 55 points sort of evened out the scoring.
Gott also commented on Lacey being the “Coach” on the floor. Thought it was pure coach glib. Then Tony put on Lacey. They FINALLY had to cut it short. Lacey just took over….not in a domineering, but matter of fact manner and they let him talk. He commented that the team was enjoying the run and gun pace of the first half and at halftime, Coaching staff (Lutz?) settled them down and they concentrated on D. Then he analyzed the 2nd half. Tony commented that some of the junk defenses that they were running were new to him and he had not watched all of them in practice. Lacey said that some of them were things that the “guys on the floor improvised”. YES, the “Coach” on the floor actually was calling the D and running things that they had only “played with”. After the interview, Gary commented that Gott had played down Lacey’s prowess and even chided him for giving out too much info at a WP gathering. He wanted to keep Lacey’s talents hidden as long as possible.
OK…THAT interview and the comments were an eyeopener. I have been listening to the players of the game do interviews since the 70’s on radio or on TV. Sidney Lowe (Jimmy V’s “floor” coach) was good. He was articulate and concise. I honestly believe that Lacey has a better instinct or knack for the game that Lowe did.
He was as professional as many of the coaches of the lower level teams that we have played this year or last. I was IMPRESSED.
Today, reading the background stories on the team, I paid attention to all the articles and the “fluff” stuff. Our “stars” all say that in 20 years, they want to be still playing in the NBA or retired and living the good life in LA. Lacey’s vision is that he will be an assistant NBA coach or perhaps a head NBA coach. Now that is powerful.
I have a whole new respect for the “behind the scenes” stuff that Gott has done to get Turner and Lacey (probably bent some NCAA rules about “trolling and contacting”). BUT, he pulled it off. With the new guys (but HEY….we have had NEW superstars before), we have a bright future….
I think that the press has, as usual, missed on us. We will not finish around 7th or so….it WILL be higher and I think that we will do well when we get to the dance. NOW, will Gott take us to the final dance number? WOW….what Odds…BUT if we continue to improve (Lacey says he is still VERY rusty after his year off and is improving) and if CAT can find his Mo-Jo (he really lost it last night), then we will win a lot. I sure hope that Gott feels the need for a “tribute” to Jimmy V and has a short…”This is how you cut down the nets” drill. THAT emphasized Valvano’s faith or dream in his guys and did a LOT for their personal confidence….
GO PACK….Boise whatever will be here tomorrow night…
