A true Soderberg team effort tonight-with a twist

[BradFan]

Clamp down defense for most of the game. Working the clock for good shots on many occasions. Not everything is in synch yet with this team. But a few quick thoughts:

- Ian held his own in a situation where NC truly had it in for him. Solid effort. On the defensive end, he wasn't getting the kind of help NC was giving on him.

- TL will be spectacular. That's the twist. Brad's never had a player with that level of ability. When Brad figures out how to harness it and make it work with Ian and the rest in the right way, it will make a difference.

- KL also gives us a lot to get excited about.

- DB may not be a starter for awhile. Looks lost and trying too hard.

- DP - showing a lot of limitations against big-time talent.

- AD - lots of good, but will always make some mistakes by getting carried away and failing to play within himself in certain moments. Still, leadership should be applauded, not to mention the shooting eye the last two games

- UB - he looked more nervous than the players...I think he really wanted to sneak out of there with a win. Would have meant a lot of instant respectibility for the program. But I think the way his team played opened eyes tonight.

The Bills are on their way back, but still a few Ls coming with the tough schedule ahead.

[Box and Won]

Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention, but I thought that DP played fairly well. He had a couple of turnovers that were his fault (not forced by Carolina), and he appears to have stopped trying to shoot the three all the time - he could have shot one, but penetrated and hit a pull-up jumper.

[kwyjibo]

I was very impressed with UNC's defense for most of the game. They really do help (and get back well). We did have some success moving the ball around in the first half (that is quick passes to open men not slow passes until the shot clock is near expiring).

[cheeseman]

Box - from what I saw and what others on the board have said Bradfan is the only one who saw DP's play as limited. He had a decent game overall.

[BradFan]

Don't mean to dump on DP...he had an OK game, but there are times when he seems a little overwhelmed against that level of competition...less so than KL does. I just see KL and TL and a step (or two) above what DP brings to the table.

In total, all of our guards REALLY need to work on their shooting. If TL and DP become better shooters, it will mean a lot. TL's burst to the basket will be twice as effective if he can shoot 50% from 15-20 feet.

One more note...NC showed us that good coaches always coach great defense. Here's a team with a bunch of high school superstars, and that was as good a defense as you'll see. Same thing you see with Duke, Mich. State, etc. That's why Brad's strength as a defensive coach will help bring this team to a higher level when that's combined with talent like TL, KL and IV.

[courtside]

Simply put SLU needs more Tommie Lidell's, very athletic players who can also play. We could end the discussion right there. You need two to three classes IN A ROW like that to build something.

UNC was good on transition defense....with that said SLU needs to get players who can put more pressure on in transition. Polk's play...well on the one hand a lot of people are saying good things relative to his past performances which is encouraging. On the other hand, year two for him, and he is playing point guard. He needs to get into the lane and distribute the ball much much more. If this is something he can't do, he needs to be a lights out long range shooter, and scorer, which he isn't. He is a nice back-up point guard, who brings speed and energy to the game. Unfortunately at SLU he has to start a lot right now.

Lisch as Roy has commented often times seems to be playing without a purpose, either passive, wasting dribbles(if you aren't going anywhere, don't dribble the ball while standing there) or forcing things. He will be a good player...just shows you how hard it is to make an immediate impact as a true frosh at big time D-1 level.

AD's play down the stretch, ugh...oh well. And of course, a nice effort for the V but obviosly SLU needs a power forward desperately, or anything in the front court.

Getting better athletes and players will contribute to getting easier transition points, free throws, put backs, etc...that make the difference in the game. It is too difficult for SLU to score too often, especially against good offensive teams.

Nobody is questioning Soderberg's ability to coach, but gotta get the players who can play at that level. A great effort and good game. Sure SLU received the short end of the calls, but it didn't decide the game. As was mentioned a player the caliber of TL, ...the good teams have several of those at different positions.