Bzdelik and the Youth Card
Jeff Bzdelik is determined not to use youth as an excuse this season. He’s so determined, he keeps vowing not to. He vowed it again after tonight’s deflating 83-74 loss to Winthrop in front of the smallest crowd (3,014) I’ve ever seen watch a Wake Forest’s men’s basketball game at Joel Coliseum.
“We’ll never use youth as an excuse—never,” Bzdelik said. “We need to grow up right now. We need to understand how important every possession is. And what’s the next possession? It’s the opening tip tomorrow night. You can’t be hung over by how we feel right now. Yes we all feel awful, but there’s another big game (against Marist) and we have a walk-through tomorrow at 11.’‘
But try as he might, Bzdelik can’t help himself. A fact is a fact. Two of the Deacons’ freshmen weren’t available tonight—Melvin Tabb because he was given time off to get on the straight-and-narrow academically and Tony Chennault because he has a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot—and still three of the seven scholarship players Bzdelik had at his disposal are freshmen. Two others, Ari Stewart and C.J. Harris are sophomores. Ty Walker is a junior who has still played only a total of 13 minutes against ACC competition. And the lone senior, Gary Clark, had never started a game before this season and had scored more than 10 points all of three times.
So when I asked why the Deacons were having trouble stringing two good performances together—instead of the loss, win, loss, win, loss treadmill they’re on now—Bzdelik had only two choices. He could break his vow and tell the truth, or he could deny the obvious. He told the truth.
“It’s going to contradict what I just said and we’ll never use youth as an excuse, but that is the inconsistency of youth,’’ Bzdelik said. “Sometimes we look like we’re deer in headlights, and sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we fumble the ball. We’re not sure-handed yet. We’re not quite strong enough yet.
“But we can’t offer that as an excuse because we live in a world today that wants everything now. That’s the way it is. And I understand that and I have to make sure our players understand a sense of urgency. Otherwise they will never grow as quick as we all want them to grow.’‘
Coach Randy Peele of Winthrop came to praise Bzdelik, but not before he buried him. After the Eagles broke down the Wake Forest defense sufficiently to score on 20 of 28 possessions during a devastating 42-24 scoring spree, after the Eagles shot 52 percent both halves, after they made six of 11 from 3-point range and after they out-rebounded the Deacons 35-25, Peele offered an unsolicited testimonial to the wisdom of Athletics Director Ron Wellman’s decision to hire Bzdelik away from Colorado last April.
“If I could just say I’m a big fan of Jeff Bzdelik,’’ Peele said. “I think Jeff is a class guy. I think he’s doing a tremendous job, and he’s going to do a tremendous job here. I say that. I mean that. I wish him and Wake Forest nothing but the very best.’‘
The words of support and encouragement came on a night that Jeff Bzdelik clearly needed a friend. Two of his first three losses at Wake Forest have been against teams from the Atlantic Sun and the Big South. Tonight’s game was further proof there there’s no team anywhere—not even a Marist team coming off an incomprehensible 1-29 season—that the Deacons take for granted.
Did he ever need a friend.
“I’ve been through this before with youth and I’ve got to be a teacher, I’ve got to be a psychologist, I’ve got to motivate them, fire them up, I’ve got to teach them,’’ Bzdelik said. “I had a radio caller call in the other day and say `Well everybody’s mad at you.’ I said `Throw it on me. I’ll take the hit for all this. Stay away from the kids. Support the kids. They need time to grow up and they’re growing up and they’re learning and they’re going to be all over the map. If you want to be mad at me, fine. If you want to doubt me, fine. But don’t doubt the kids. They’re really great kids who have had a bunch of adversity thrown on top of them as well, with Tony Woods, Tony Chennault, Melvin.
“It’s not been easy for them, but they’re great kids, and they care. So throw it on me.’‘
As for when Tabb will be back on the court, Bzdelik said, in effect, that will be up to Tabb.
“As soon as he takes care of what he’s supposed to do from an academic standpoint,’’ Bzdelik replied.
Back to the main page.
By Dan Collins on 11/23/2010 (12:22 am)
Comments
Just got back from our win tonight and I agree with some of the things that Deacon23 had to say but not all. I’ll keep my comments to basketball only.
Remember these players were not recruited by our new coach. He is doing what he can with what was handed to him. It may take him some time to build this group of individuals into a team.
I do admire Coach B. for standing up for his players and taking the heat. I sat behind the Wake bench the last two nights and I do think he coaches them well, and does all he can to teach and encourage them. I also think the players respond well and play hard most of the time. With more game experience this group will get better.
Yes he may not seem to have the type of “passion” that a Coach “K” has. But I’m glad. Coach “K” has the reputation as one of the most profane talking and difficult individuals in college basketball. But he wins and maybe that’s all that matters?
I do agree that Ron Wellman is the captain of this ship and he will reap the benefits or pay the penalties. I hope he noticed the attendance figures for the last two nights. The other home games were not well attended either. We are an ACC team and we should have more than 3,000 fans attend our games in an arena of this size. The lack of attendance is not caused just by our not winning either. The fans do have to be encouraged about the direction the program is going. Our fan base has been slowly shrinking since Chris Paul left. Of course us die hard fans will go to the games whether we win or loose. I hope most commentators here are in the category of “die hard fans” I speak of.
The next game is against Iowa. It will be a very big test for this team. We’ll see if the fans, and the team show up.
Danny C. on 11/24/2010 (1:09 am)
Very good, well thought out post Deacon23…You compiled a very accurate asessment of the program.
Country, You have often mentioned that you have the best beat in college athletics. Do you still feel that way? Unfortunately, you have to endure all this pain first hand. Would be nice to get an honest report on how you ascertain the present situation and how you are handling the losses…
Better yet, You would make an excellent A.D.
Wellman reminds me of the Wall Street Bankers who are so well respected in todays environment.
Tom on 11/23/2010 (9:25 pm)
Amen, Deacon23!
Steve on 11/23/2010 (7:18 pm)
You go, Deacon23! Couldn’t have said it better.
Jim on 11/23/2010 (6:19 pm)
Dan, All that can be said at this time is the WF athletic programs are a disaster. The bad part of the whole mess is that nothing looks good for the future. How in the world could we fall from grace so quick, I really feel sorry for the Coaches, players and above all, the AD.
Carl on 11/23/2010 (5:59 pm)
I went to my first Wake game 55 years ago and have lived and died with them ever sense….ok mostly died….but not like this. The football team is a disaster, the baksetball team appears to be beyond a disaster (Stetson and Winthrop???), the baseball program is down the tubes, our national championhsip field hockey and men soccer teams are nowhere to be found on the national stage and the golf program which was once the crown jewel of the athletic department has been mired in mediocrity for almost a decade. Women’s basketabll has never really been competitive….I guess the women’s golf soccer team is the only semi shining light and they don’t generate revenue.
(interesting to note that the new golf facility was named after the WOMEN’s golf coach)
I have always tried to maintain at least somewhat reasonble expectations given Wake’s size, financial resources and academic requirements. The keys are the revenue generating sports.
In football I can take the ups and downs as long as we compete….early in Coach Grobe’s tenure we were not as talented and didn’t always win but the teams played smart, the game plans were a step or two ahead of the competition and the teams competed for 60 minutes….they would hit people in the mouth (not dance like a jackass after making a simple tackle in a game where they were down by 40).
Basketball is the one revenue sport where we can and should consistently compete at a high level. I am not taking sides in the Gaudio vs Coach Buzzy non sense. The fact is that I don’t know whether Coach Buzz can coach/ recruit or not…..what I do know is that he appears to have absolutely no passion. That might work with professionals but it doesn’t work with kids right out of high school….they are looking to the coach to set the standards and expectations. Just look at the best in the business (sorry guys) but Coach K gets it. He is the most passionate coach in the business on the Duke bench but can make the transition when dealing with professionals. No teams play harder or with more intensity….even if they don’t always have the best 5 athletes on the court.
As far Gaudio is concerned it was obvious that he had no clue when it came to game management or how to relate to and control his mob of 18-22 year olds.
He has gotten all kinds of kudos for his recruiting classes but let’s look at them over the last couple of years:
Aminu: He stuck in the NBA so far (sort of….he IS with the Clippers) and while skilled in some areas he can’t shoot a mid range or longer jump shot and handles the ball like someone with two frying pans for hands…great dunker ......whoopee!
Teague: Good skills as a scorer and ball handler but has a very shakey psyche…
Johnson: All the physical skills but horrendous attitude…which got worse with evey new tattoo. Obviously not a good team mate.
Woods: No offense, not much defense, marginal rebounder (and a bad dunker for those who care). .
Walker: A 7 footer who doesn’t score or rebound. Good for 5 or 6 blocks if you can afford to have him on the court.
Stewart: Gifted althlete who is streaky but inconsistent from 3 and doesn’t inspire much awe going to the rack….also doesn’t rebound much and I don’t think he will ever be confused with a “lock-down” defender (locked-up in knots maybe).
CJ: I like him but for crying our loud even as a 2 guard he has to handle the ball a little bit.
Skeen; Could have been a good role player like he is doing at VCU but obviously couldn’t cut it academically and never played like he looked.
Ish: The only guy out of the bunch that I would go to war with. Left it all on the court and while his free throw issues were legendary he did more with what he had than the rest of this crowd put together…..just ask the Rockets.
Current class: Let’s see, Tabb won’t go to class, the point guard can’t stay healthy, Terrell is totally lost. McKie looks like the only really skilled “warrior” (not to be confused with “real warrior” since this is a game not life and death)in the bunch. If they were as advertised they should have been able to beat Stetson and Winthrop on skill alone. From what I’ve seen they would have a hard time staying on the court at the “Y.”
Bottom line….I don’t think these over hyped recruiting classes ever had the mentality, desire or the drive to be winners over the long term. A lot of these ratings come out of AAU programs where the focus is on showcasing “Yo’Game” not on what it takes to be a winner. The only apparent differnce between Coach Buzzy and Dino is that we won’t have to wait for 3 months to be disappointed. Neither is or was the solution Wake needs.
Ron, you got all the credit and rewards when things we going good…..now it’s time to earn your pay…..or like any business (and this is big business) the stock holders are going to come looking for your head.
Deacon23 on 11/23/2010 (4:19 pm)
When Georgia Tech beats you, when Boston College beats you, when Virginia beats you, youth can certainly be the excuse. When Florida St. or Duke or Virginia Tech beats you, overall talent as well as youth may be a valid excuse.
When you get spanked by Stetson, VCU and Winthrop, with a narrow escape from Hampton AND you’re from the ACC….
THERE IS NO EXCUSE!!!
Indiana played us, a top 10 team at the time, as well as we played VCU with 3 scholarship players. The coach needs to pack his bags.
This is big time college basketball and “poor poor coach, with his young team” just doesn’t cut it.
As fans we understand the difficulty of the ACC grind. We will understand and accept less than success in January. In November, they’re called cupcakes for a reason. 1 loss in November will draw some stern looks, 2 losses some cross words, 3 strikes in cupcake land and YOU’RE OUT!!!
JoeyD on 11/23/2010 (2:03 pm)
I agree with Deacon2122 to the extent that at this stage members of the Wake Forest community need to understand that the team is in early stages of its development, which necessarily will involve struggles and misteps.
So yes, I think that a positive attitude at this point is absolutely the right way to go and the only way to be constructive. But that positive outlook must be combined with accountability and progress. As disappointed as I was by the losses to Stetson and Winthrop, I will be incensed if I am not watching a team in February that would beat Stetson and Winthrop by twenty points.
DC on 11/23/2010 (1:08 pm)
Dan,
As much of a nightmare as the start of the season has become, I think Bzdelick is doing a great job of making sure none of the heat is falling on the players. Granted, any logical person would do that, however, you can sense that Bzdelick really cares about his players and that has to go along ways in the minds of 18 and 19 year old kids who are struggling. I’m not too sure there are many coaches out there who envy the position Bzdelick is in, with their best big man suspended, point guard with a broken foot, etc.
It is our job as fans to stay positive and not call for the coach’s head every time we’re struggling (that goes for both football and basketball). We need to be supportive of Coach and the players and understand we are in rebuilding mode. People have to understand we lost, in my opinion, one of the better floor leaders in the country last year in Ish, and also an 8th round pick in Aminu who is currently starting in the NBA (and doing a very good job). We are also without our best defensive stopper for the first time in 4 years.
If the fans really sit back and think about how much of last year’s core has left and been replaced by inexperienced freshmen, it shouldn’t be a surprise we are struggling. As long as Coach is getting the players to work hard, hustle, and improve every game, I will be happy. Our time will come. I have a feeling this team will be special in the upcoming years. Thanks for all you do Dan.
P.S. I’d love to jam with you sometime on the six-string!
Deacon2122 on 11/23/2010 (10:34 am)
“We’ll never use youth as an excuse—never,” Bzdelik said. “We need to grow up right now. We need to understand how important every possession is.
By denying the youth card, JB just employed it.
radio_smuggles on 11/23/2010 (9:48 am)
What a spectacle. Winthrop stomps us and then their coach offers fatherly encouragement to our coach. This is a great time to be a Wake fan. It can’t get any worse. Keep your chin up, Bzz
DannyB on 11/23/2010 (8:31 am)
Bz…. excuses remind me of the other coach on the football team. Rarely has WFU been bad in both sports at the same time but this is where we are now.
This season reminds me of when Coastal Carolina came to town and beat Wake during Stacks reign in the 80’s…
All of these shortcomings falls in the lap of the A.D…he is the individual ultimately responsible for these shortcomings.
Tom on 11/23/2010 (7:54 am)
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