Itās partly the personnel, but itās an incomplete explanation. I mean, the recruiting definitely fell off (at least prior to the iMac class), for a while, but the defense has stayed highly respectable throughout the period.
This isnāt an explanation, but we became the program that we would get stereotyped as, but never were, in the 14-19 period.
I canāt really figure out the commonality, except to note that I donāt think the ājust tighten upā philosophy works on offense. Just seems that offensively, you have to actively find what works, and Tony has stopped actively trying to find that in the ways he did from 14-19.** (Talent no doubt a part of that, but not all, IMO).
** the red truck moment, when he changed the offense, being a prime example
Yeah, from 14-19, the worst offense was in 17 when we had a (more or less) starting lineup of LP/Darius Thompson/Marial Shayok/Devon Hall/Isiah Wilkins. There are some UVA legends in that group, and the bench was deep and solid, with Jerome, Guy and Diakite plus Salt, but it was also 3 first years and a second year. You would not view it as strong offensive lineup overall and it was a very small squad (almost exactly the same height as last yearās starting lineup with BVP at the 5).
That was a great defensive team, and surprisingly good at rebounding, but the key point is that it was better offensively than any squad weāve had since the championship team (except '21) and by a pretty large margin.
And it wasnāt that talented, either. While the bench had Guy, Jerome and Diakite, it also had Salt. And the starting lineup was a bunch of low-4*/high-3* guys ranked 80th-150th when they were in HS.
I dunno, it feels like CTB was able to generate elite defense and, less appreciated, excellent offense out of basically anything back then. Eamon Brennen once put it that CTB could make a top 25 defense out of two walk-ons, you (the reader), me (Brennen) and Brennenās dog.
I think thatās still mostly accurate, but he also used to be able to get a top-75 offense out of that group and it doesnāt feel like thatās the case lately.
However, Pete had 3166 FGA in those games and 1152 FTA. He may have only played 83 games, but heās held the NCAA career record for FGA for 53 years and not only is he still #1, only 1 active player is even in the top 100 (Abmas at #18). Surprisingly, Jayden Garden is #192, with 1 fewer FGA than Stith.
Peteās also still #3 in FTA, despite only playing in 83 games. #2 is Tyler Hansbrough, and #1 was Dickie Hemrich from Wake? Huh, donāt recognize the name. Played in the '50s and is 118 FTA ahead of Hansbrough.
Pete averaged 38 FGA and 14 FTA per game for his college career. Iād HOPE he scored a heck of a lot of points.
Aha, it was good, living with you
Aha, it was good, ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Aha, it was good, living with you
Aha, it was good, ah-ah-ah
Good, good, good, good, good, good
Did the letter actually say all that? With the ahaās?
Pistol was amazing man. Doing things no one else even thoughg of. Kinda the way Steph plays now. Brings pick up stuff to the real game and works so much at it that it is effective, to say the least
When i was a kid me and a couple of my friends would watch him play. Then go immediately to the hardtop(no gym) and try to do some of Pistolās tricks. He was amazing
Iām 67 years old and kids are still playing on that hardtop today. We used to have some really good games for a bunch of country boys back in my time. I was the best PG in Lambsburg ,Va
population 250 at that time
Appreciate anyone noticing! Although Iām concerned posting again will break the win streak. If we lose the next one, donāt worry all, Iāll do what has to be done.
But as to why, just had our first baby and she decided to make her entrance to the world a tiny bit early. Her and mom are doing great though. But man, newborn stage is a trip - survive and advance.
I just keep finding myself repeating a slightly modified quote from Mad Max Fury Road: āDo not, my friends, become addicted to Ģ¶wĢ¶aĢ¶tĢ¶eĢ¶rĢ¶ sleep. It will take hold of you, and you will resent its absence!ā
Looking forward to when things calm down a bit though and I can get back to posting nonsense on here. Has anyone argued this team would be undefeated if we still had Kihei or something? I honestly miss it. See you all sometime soon!
