N C Central Preview and Game Thread

[tarboy]

Thanks for posting the box score 3397. A good box score gives us a lot of insights into a game.

Do you think a +/= of +61 for Kate is a team record? Akot was +60, Brooks was +52

It was great seeing shots going in and I loved it that Sydney Barker made the first record breaking 3 (#17) and Blanca made the second #18.

We were much less helter skelter/more organized looking on offense. CB said it had been a point of focus in practice. Glad to see it.

I thought the minute distribution was about right also. Kate, Nyla and Achol will be the big 3 in minutes played with Ciera getting in the group when she is healthy.

Blanca had I guess her best game as a Tar Heel. I think she can give us some solid minutes in the post this year.

Noelle Bofia still impresses me with her great physical skills. Just don't foul so much Noelle lol.

Reniya Kelly had a good game and made shots. If she keeps making shots that gives this team a real positive boost.

Last I was glad to see Laila Hull get her offense going. In a shooting contest I would bet she is the best standstill 3pt shooter on this team. Nyla, Kate and Sophie close behind Reniya and Achol next JMO.

 

[bradarb08]

The postgame presser really shed some light on what happened against SC versus last night. She really emphasized that people were not disciplined and were not in the right spots. She kept saying people were "trying to help" (which I read as "hero ball) but because people were not in the right positions, nobody knew where anyone was and they got caught up. They couldn't pass or look for options to get out of the situation because nobody was where they were supposed to be. She specifically mentioned Akot playmaking but playmaking in the wrong spot. And how RK and KH can't run the offense and make the reads if people were not in the right spots. I felt like you could really see that change against NCCU. Again, way overmatched opponent, but way better flow and positions.

 

[Carolina151]

I also think it’s obvious there a focal point of dealing with the ups/downs of Blanca. Physically, anyone with an eye can see limitations at this time. Her IQ of knowing where to be and communicating is significantly improved compared to last year.

That said, going from 5 min vs OU (their personnel played a role) to 30 min vs SC and 24 last night (team-high) is a big, big jump. It’s evident that A2 is probably going to struggle with significant min there. TQ can give you some spot, but not going to give extended time at the 5 unless other team goes with 5 guards. We’ve got a week until the 7’1 chick with TTU, 3 weeks until LSU, and a month until ACC opener at home vs State. Toomey is expected back soon, but we know that’s going to be with a min restriction on top of getting into game shape. Thomas is needed and needed through the growing pains

 

[kystroup]

Pretty interesting/revealing postgame PC - I did say she was great after a win!

-Posts weren't consistently in the right place in the first two games, which made things muddy for the playmakers
-Need to be tougher on the class
-CB said she was pretty direct/tough with Akot in saying that we needed more from her

 

[tarboy]

I also think it’s obvious there a focal point of dealing with the ups/downs of Blanca. Physically, anyone with an eye can see limitations at this time. Her IQ of knowing where to be and communicating is significantly improved compared to last year.

That said, going from 5 min vs OU (their personnel played a role) to 30 min vs SC and 24 last night (team-high) is a big, big jump. It’s evident that A2 is probably going to struggle with significant min there. TQ can give you some spot, but not going to give extended time at the 5 unless other team goes with 5 guards. We’ve got a week until the 7’1 chick with TTU, 3 weeks until LSU, and a month until ACC opener at home vs State. Toomey is expected back soon, but we know that’s going to be with a min restriction on top of getting into game shape. Thomas is needed and needed through the growing pains

Good post C151, I agree 100% with you. Blanca has a big role but it is also a gigantic opportunity for her. Pulling hard for her.

 

[3397char]

Do you think a +/= of +61 for Kate is a team record? Akot was +60, Brooks was +52


Last I was glad to see Laila Hull get her offense going. In a shooting contest I would bet she is the best standstill 3pt shooter on this team. Nyla, Kate and Sophie close behind Reniya and Achol next JMO.

We once beat New Orleans by 83. No +/- shown in the box score, but no one played more than 23 min, We beat NCCU by 77 in 2007. Again, no one played more than 20 min. Last night we won by 76. Kate played 21 minutes. Pretty remarkable we were +61 in just 21 minutes. so maybe Kate did set a record.

If we are talking just standstill shooting, don't sleep on Barker. Career 43%, though small sample size. Hull is career 35% but she has almost certainly taken more tough shots from 3.

 

[tarboy]

Laila was 42% iirc last season going into the dook game in CH. For some reason from there out with the exception (I think) of the VT ACC tournament game she lost her touch. I hope she will get past that this year. She has a near perfect shooting form IMO. Kate as a beautiful shooting form also.

 

[JOB1937]

We once beat New Orleans by 83. No +/- shown in the box score, but no one played more than 23 min, We beat NCCU by 77 in 2007. Again, no one played more than 20 min. Last night we won by 76. Kate played 21 minutes. Pretty remarkable we were +61 in just 21 minutes. so maybe Kate did set a record.

If we are talking just standstill shooting, don't sleep on Barker. Career 43%, though small sample size. Hull is career 35% but she has almost certainly taken more tough shots from 3.

We won by 69 last night, not 76.

 

[3397char]

We won by 69 last night, not 76.

Sorry, the 76 pt NCCU victory was in 2024; I conflated the two.