Yeah, should have remembered that it was Nolte who took Justin’s minutes. Now I’m recalling my rants about why Nolte’s three point shot was so bad when he was supposedly a great shooter out of high school and shot close to 40% his first year. I’m also remembering my oft-expressed complaint on the Sabre during Wilkins first two years that he was too short and had no vertical leap so he was getting rebounds taken away by taller, bouncier players despite his superior rebounding position. It took me three years to fully appreciate his glueness on defense.
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I concur. Had we put these guys away, we would have seen more experimentation with the lineup–especially getting Fish minutes. Will be really surprised if he doesn’t get minutes on Friday with Papi out.
Going back to pre-season analysis, I had a lot of company in predicting that we would see the starting lineup that we saw. But I also had a lot of company in predicting that we’ll see that lineup change over the course of the season. My view is, the sooner we do, the better a team that we’ll be.
My takes:
Defense is still shaky, but improved.
Additions of BVP and IM gave us a lot more lineup flexibility than prior seasons.
That said, both had lapses on the defensive end and needed to be a bit more assertive on the offensive end.
Three-point shooting was huge, but did not cause UNCC to respect our shooting. I think we’ll still see other teams sag off our shooters until we prove to be proficient over time.
Like @Galileo24 reference to Say as an example of how we might see Dunn used this year, though I quibble with the word model. His offensive potential is so much higher.
Summation: Beating UNCC is WAAAAY better than losing to Navy. Beating them by 12 after falling behind by one showed us something that last year’s team simply didn’t have–especially by going on a 10-0 run after falling behind. We’ll see Traudt on Friday, and we’ll likely see more of him as the season goes on. Papi was way better than we expected, but still played limited minutes. The real question for me is who is at the 2 and 3 with Fish on the floor?
Edit: Stupid auto-correct. Zay!
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Bond is 6’5. That’s smaller than Wilkins was when he was brought into the game as a multiple defender (but usually just stuck to the 4 his first year — we weren’t switching screens). Dunn didn’t show anything to me in Blue-White to suggest he could be a Hunter or Key defensively — this year.
Maybe after a year in the system, but these two aren’t ready. And, evidently, Bennett believes that right now, too.
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Since I haven’t seen them play since high school, I really have no basis to disagree. But readiness is something that can be improved upon, but lack of physicality and size is something that basically can’t. I tried the Peter Brady thing, but I’m still 5’8".
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Dude how old are you? That’s some @DFresh11 and @chavlicek15 level references right there.
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Only 45, but I watched a lot of syndicated shows as a kid. No cable until I got to college!
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@haney When its time to change
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What is “you’ve got to rearrange”, Alex. I believe we had that whole album.
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Has this been discussed? Noticed he wasn’t in the bench at the end of the game.
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TB referenced a cramp in his postgame presser.
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Briefly. My guess was cramping, but 
Did anyone catch the NCC guy getting some yellow mustard for his cramping? Learned that trick from my FIL. It was kind of funny: he stuck his hand into some goopy looking thing, licked it, and grimaced. Then his buddies in the front row all laughed at him. JPJ condiments, for the win.
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I saw that and laughed. Seen that trick or the pickle juice trick used a few times for cramps.
First game of the season, late game, guessing unseasonably warm up there some cramps are to be expected.
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Sha-nah-nah-nuh-nah-nah-nuh-nah-nah-SHA-NUH-NAH-NAH-NAH
(yes this is a different song. Couldn’t find a gif for the other. Same talent show though I think)
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Wait how does it work? Is it that high sodium = electrolytes or am I missing something
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Nope that’s it putting salt back into the system for electrolytes. Mustard is generally pretty pure so it also breaks down quickly.
Edit: Nxt coaching gig I get, I’m going full Junction Boys, no water breaks, just salt tablets. 2 teams on the field we’re gonna be the last one standing.
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Don’t disagree with your quibble about Dunn having a higher offensive ceiling than Zay. My point was more about how we may see him only play green team minutes early but then get a regular role later in the season. Dunn isn’t the same player as Zay so it wasn’t “model” as in “he’s the new Zay.” He can do different things but I see his playing time evolution as possibly similar.
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I had the exact same thought. Hope we’re right!
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Quit playing him 34 minutes a game. That should help his cramping, among other things.
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Hopefully there’s a pickle juice shortage in Charlottesville
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Mark this one down as “And JAR’s dad was excited for him to Redshirt!”
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