Comments

The question is: Can the WFU basketball program take another year of coaching from Jeff Bzdelik ? I know we probably have another year to go with the present coach.I am very worried that our program will not recover for years with another season of coaching from Jeff Bzdelik. It seems that the ad and the president of the university are not that worried. If so, maybe we should just get out of the ACC and go join a much smaller conference. I am very worried that this may be our only option if we continue with our present coach. I am beyond frustrated. This did not need to happen. There were many quality coaches that could have been chosen, yet we not only settled for second best, I would say we settled for a coach who is much less qualifed than Dino. What is going to happen to our men’s basketball program???

Craig Carter on 02/28/2011 (1:56 pm)

briant never did answer the question Dan asked.  I think we can summon briant as a person who loves Ty, blindly overlooking his shortcomings, hates the 3 guard offense and knows just enough about basketball to fill a thimble.

Jim on 02/28/2011 (9:34 am)

Brian I reckon it is a conversation back and forth because I would like to address the comment made by ” The Deacon ” on Broderick Hicks.  I know we cannot chang the past but I would like to tell this one quick story. I was in a restaurant in Memphis, TN and had a WFU golf shirt on. A man approached me and introduced himself—he was Broderick Hicks father. After a pleasant and long coversation I was convinced his father was right, Broderick was molded to play at a certain University with certain role players that would compliment his game. Then he fell into the “hey I can play in the Big Four” and I can play against a University that will remain nameless but is around the geographical center of this state. I think he would have been a better player had he gone to the University that he was playing pick up games and what not for years…........Again the past is the past can’t change it just thought I would add that small world story.

Doug on 02/28/2011 (9:33 am)

Thanks Memphisslim

Dan on 02/28/2011 (12:42 am)

Dan, there were some less than thoughtful comments following your WF-Tiger article. I loved the lead in of your article, as it was descriptive & accurate: Wake Forest’s Regualar Catering Servicing. I posted something I thought was a little more thoughtful & considerate in Comment No. 23 & then in 24, if you have time to read them. I don’t know you, but I like the job you are doing covering Wake & I know it has been tough this year. Thanks.

memphisslim on 02/28/2011 (12:23 am)

plus I thought this was just a one way comment section. I didn’t realize this was a conversation. I was just posting my thoughts. Nobody ever listens anyway so I use that as a license to be ridiculously honest. Nobody is paying attention to Wake Forest now anyway.

That’s the only positive we can get from Bz.

Brian Thacker on 02/27/2011 (11:13 pm)

OK Dan, it was implied that Ty would have started had he not been late to shoot around for a game a couple games ago. Now he gets 14 mins (starter to 14 mins, why?). The primary problem many Wake fans have with Ty from Gaudio was that he didn’t redshirt his freshman year.

Ty did have a good game and would probably do better with a little support (he’s had zero). He’s not perfect, but I remember guys without his talent contributing to successful Wake teams recently. Viduretta, Shoemaker. . . saying we don’t have that sort of talent is someone in denial.

The problem is the 3 guard lineup. You can’t sustain success for championships like you can focusing on rebounding and being TALL and BIG INSIDE!

Bz might NOT be responsible for much because he doesn’t take blame for losses. But he IS directly responsible with playing time.  In my opinion his rotations put all his players in a position to fail.

Brian Thacker on 02/27/2011 (8:16 pm)

Brian, I posed this question on an earlier post with no response. So I’ll try again.
Help me understand your take on Ty Walker. It may be obvious, but are you saying that Walker is not a bigger part of the team because the coaches don’t like him? And if so, can you provide any information to support that position? I’m not trying to be contentious, and truth be told I’ve never had the first problem personally with Ty, who I’ve always found to be a cooperative and amazingly candid. But your defense of him at least comes off as an indictment against Bzdelik, and I would like to know more of what that is based on.
Thanks (again) in advance.

Dan on 02/27/2011 (8:09 pm)

Only bright spot? Let’s not mention Ty’s 100% 2 for 2 shooting and 5 rebounds in 14 minutes.  If he plays more he might succeed and since he’s a “head case”, that would be the worst thing possible for Wake fans.

So you are right. Ty lost this game again from the bench. Everyone else was just too tired to win. Hey Dan, you have some age on you, you think you’d be less tired than CJ?

This coach puts all his players in a position to fail. . . and takes no responsibility. Nikita will roll his eyes at the coach soon and Wake will find a reason to hate him too soon. Good thing everyone likes CJ, TC, Clark (NO THREES) because they are going to get the minutes as Wake loses for whatever reason.

Brian Thacker on 02/27/2011 (7:36 pm)

“And when the black thread breaks, the weaver shall look into the whole cloth, and he shall examine the loom also.”

Elmer Gantry on 02/27/2011 (5:08 pm)

The most poignant thing I took from the loss was the complete lack of anything remotely related to basketball that our team played in the first half.  It was almost like they had no clue what to do, and I dont mean from coaching, I mean from a basic basketball skill level.  Too many times, the players just stood there, and poor Carson/Ty were never able to get back on defense quickly enough.

I was pleased, as was everyone I suspect, to see Nikita keep himself under control enough to contribute, since normally he is a fouling machine.  I like how he, CJ and Travis tried their best to attack the basketball, although too many times it was one on four.  Its a shame we dont really have an inside game… I finally figured out that Carson reminds me of two players from the past - Ricardo Peral and David Carlyle.  Both came in with a lot of fanfare and neither delivered.  I truly hope that Carson spends the time in the weight room this summer building up the strength to play center in this league.  Unfortunately we need a center, not a 7ft Wing Forward who like to shoot from outside the lane…

Chennault reminds me of Broderick Hicks, who was an expert at wildly dribbling into the lane and either losing the ball or trying to shoot a ill-fated shot.  I do hope this offseason he will learn better control, although I am an admirer of his determination to play after his foot injury.

Still, as much as it was a poor loss for the Deacs, just think what it might have been if just a handful of those shots fell… Keep shooting Deacs, it never stopped Childress!

And a big LOL to the fools on the Journal pages calling out Dan as some sort of WFU public relations tool… geez, some people need to get a life…

Keep up the good work Dan.

The Deacon on 02/27/2011 (4:04 pm)

I am a 1983 Wake grad who lives just 4 miles from Clemson University. Wow, what a difference 2 years makes. Two years ago I sat in Littlejohn and watched us beat their ranked team and we ascended to a #1 ranking. Yesterday I sat in Littlejohn and watched a fundamentally flawed and poorly coached basketball squad lose once again. We are not getting better and I firmly believe it is the coach. I did not like this hire from day one. He had no track record to justify his being hired. I am saddened to know that we are probably stuck with this milquetoast Mr. Rogers look-alike for the next few years.Do you think that Colorado is happy he is gone? I would guess their game yesterday is ample evidence that things are better for them since he is not standing on their sideline with his hands on his hips not working the refs. Just pathetic.

Kurt M on 02/27/2011 (3:24 pm)

I’m sorry Dan but if the players are tired and not in shape, that falls squarely on Bz! Our rotation is such that 8, 9 or 10 kids play significant minutes. If they are tired, Bz hasn’t conditioned them properly. All teams are at the same point in the season but the players at the Dukes and Carolinas are just plainly in better shape than my Deacs! We’ve had enough sorry excuses this year so another one is not necessary! Until this season, I’ve never thought of Wake Forest as one to make excuses but, man, they’re going around now big time! I’m disappointed and embarassed!

Ken Green on 02/27/2011 (12:34 pm)

Country, I can tell the situation is dire when folks begin attacking you in response to your column in today’s edition…

I would surmise most are totally frustrated and venting against anyone and everyone associated with the program. Just make sure when you are laying back on stage and playing a gig that no one tosses an egg in your direction!!!

Mercifully, the intense pain of defeat is almost over, but the chronic pain of no changes in the Coaching and administrative hierarchy will just be beginning.

Tom on 02/27/2011 (11:18 am)

No doubt CJ is tired. He is either playing the point or shooting guard almost all game. He is also required to rebound as a forward since we normally only play one. After a horrific, first half, I was encouraged to see Coach Buzz go to a 2 guard line up with Mescheriakov playing the second forward. I hope we will see more of this in the future. We were more competitive that way. It would also allow CJ to play point guard backed up by Chennault. Terrell should start at shooting guard and be backed up by Clark.
It only took 28 games for Coach Buzz to try this radical approach.
Stop the Insanity!!??!! No more 3 guard linups.

Ken Nowell on 02/27/2011 (8:05 am)