My Take on Wake - Chas Rebounds With a Vengeance

Chas Rebounds With a Vengeance

It’s probably no secret to anyone who reads this blog regularly that I’m not the most critical sportswriter in the business. That may be why I’ve never written a regular column, because I don’t have the sharp edge others possess and that many editors require. I can rise (or some might say lower myself) to the occasion when need be, but it’s not my nature, mainly because I’m too quick to give people the benefit of doubt.

All that said, I’ve been on Chas McFarland and the other Wake Forest centers pretty hard this season. If not I wouldn’t have been telling the story of the Wake Forest season to date the way it needs to be told.

So I felt compelled, even under the rigors of a tight deadline to seek McFarland out last night after the Deacons’ 85-83 overtime victory over Maryland. Ari Stewart hit the two clutch jumpers to send the game to the wire, and Ish Smith won it once it got there. But a strong case could be made that McFarland was the difference in Wake winning or losing.

I knew Chas was extra-special bad at Miami, where he missed all five shots he took and managed just three rebounds in 24 minutes. But the thing is, so did he. He knew it better than I did. He also knew how badly his team needed him to play better, which is what I mentioned when I talked with him last night after he hustled his rear off and contributed eight points and 12 rebounds in 34 mighty impressive minutes.

“I was kind of down on myself because I feel I haven’t been playing well enough for us to be successful,’’ McFarland said. “That’s on me, and being a senior and being through it three or four years, that’s something I’ve got to do—I’ve got to step up and make plays.’‘

When he does, Wake is tough to beat.

David Weaver, meanwhile, played four minutes early and didn’t get back into the game. Coach Dino Gaudio said he liked what he was getting from McFarland and Tony Woods, who contributed four points, two rebounds and two blocks in 11 minutes.

“I just thought the guys out there were playing well,’’ Gaudio said. “I thought Chas was playing well. I thought Tony Woods came in—you just get a gut feel sometimes—and played really hard with a lot of energy. He was attacking the rim. That was the reason for that decision.’‘

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By Dan Collins on 01/13/2010 (12:01 pm)

Comments

On the fervor at the Joel, it just seemed like the normal wine and cheese crowd it’s always been. I didn’t notice it wasn’t loud. Side note, If you watched any of Fla v Kentucky you would have noticed the students sat in a line down one side of the court, UP FRONT. What a novel idea that is to add atmosphere.

My notes from the game -

Stewart’s two OT shots were big, but he needs to learn how to fit himself into the offense better rather than looking like that kid in the rec league who says “HEY! OVER HERE!” every 5 seconds.

The Deacs let too many loose ball rebounds go through their hands and took ENTIRELY too many quick shots.

Ish Smith has become a man and from what I’ve seen is the only player from that class who has improved year in and year out.

Heck of a game to be at.

Thomas on 01/13/2010 (6:58 pm)

Dan,

You’re right about Chas giving a great effort last night. Glad he knows his play affects the team in so many ways!

I am confused, however about Dino’s use of the bigs. Chas has been up and down, Weaver started but played 4 minutes while Woods played with spirit last night! Just the reverse from Miami! I don’t understand Dino’s thinking but then I’m a fan and not our coach! In the end, I don’t care which of the bigs plays most or best, I just want to win and to win, we need one or two of the bigs to step up each and every game!

Finally, I disagree about how much fun the next two games will be. Not much, I fear, but feel we have a better chance at UNC! Not too often I get to say that!!

Ken Green on 01/13/2010 (6:07 pm)

Dan,

Your first paragraph ‘splains why I love your columns, when your write’em.

Bobby

bobby on 01/13/2010 (5:43 pm)

Paul, I honestly didn’t notice, but I was pretty absorbed in the game. Besides it’s loud everywhere these days to me, so much so that my hearing isn’t nearly what it used to be. Of course it doesn’t help that I’m old.
And Colleen, next week is a what ACC basketball is all about. You’re right. It should be fun.

Dan on 01/13/2010 (5:32 pm)

Well, thank goodness that Chas decided that it was time to be a team leader. The Deacs need him to fulfill that role, especially in the coming days.

Tony Woods made the most of the minutes that he was given. He hustled and worked hard.

Next week is going to be a lot of fun.

Dan, thanks for your insight. I look forward to the exchanges here.

Colleen on 01/13/2010 (4:58 pm)

Dan,

A few observations from last nights game:

Around midway through the first half, it seemed like we found a little bit of a rhythm with the half-court offense. Aminu was able to get some decent looks inside and the perimeter players seemed to be running their guys around the court more than usual. Did Coach Gaudio make any adjustments, or was this just improved execution? It obviously doesn’t hurt when CJ Harris buries two consecutive threes from six feet away from the line…

I love the offensive spark that Ari Stewart provides on offense. But I was also intrigued by the short stretch in the second half when he was assigned to guard Vasquez. Clearly there were some circumstances (foul trouble for LD, etc.) that made this necessary, and it’s possible that it wasn’t even intended. But I thought he did a decent job. Generally speaking, how is Stewart’s defense coming along in practice? It would be great if his athleticism translates to that end of the floor.

I love watching CJ Harris move without the ball on offense. He scores so many of his points before he even gets the pass. More importantly, that movement frees up the other guys. We need more of that.

You could see overtime coming from a mile away last night. The offense got incredibly tentative. Ish isn’t going to be able to bail us out all the time (and the other team won’t always miss open shots at the buzzer). We need to learn how to finish soon.

Thanks.

DC on 01/13/2010 (3:25 pm)

Dan, I agree - Chas was all-in and I thought key play was the tip of the lose ball in from of the MD bench from nothing but hustle and desire. question - Has the sound mixer turned up the volume on the timeout music? seemed so and seemed as if it dampened crowd noise as at times the Joel was very quiet I thought- your thoughts?
thanks for checking in with Chas

Paul

Paul on 01/13/2010 (12:51 pm)

Yes, hats off to them for last night’s effort. I thought both Chas and Tony stayed within themselves—didn’t try to do too much offensively and hit the boards and defended hard. Having said that, I hated to lose the rebounding battle last night to a team that may not win too many of them throughout ACC play this year. But, certainly a big improvement from the way we got pushed around in Miami. A fun week coming up, we’ll need everyone playing well this week.

Chris on 01/13/2010 (12:36 pm)