Deacons Exposed
In case you have ever wondered where Wake would be this season without C.J. Harris, it’s pretty obvious we all found out in tonight’s 56-52 loss to Wofford at Joel Coliseum.
The Deacons would be in the Southern Conference. The second-division of the Southern Conference.
From what I just got through watching, the case can be made that Harris is as valuable as any player in the ACC. There’s truth to that old saying that you don’t really know what you’ve got til it’s gone, for with Harris sidelined with a strained groin suffered last Thursday against Yale, the Deacons weren’t good enough to beat an average-at-best SoCon team still adjusting to the loss of four starters. Mike Young is a good coach, as he proved in directing the Terriers to two straight conference titles and the NCAA berths that come with them, and he’s got two pretty good players in senior guards Brad Loesing and Kevin Giltner. But neither Loesing (6-for17 for 17 points) nor Giltner (4-for-14 for 11 points) had games worth texting home about and still Wofford led the final 33 minutes—by as much as 13 in the final minute of the first half.
The Deacons’ other bonafide ACC player, Travis McKie, played hard and well and gave Wofford more than it wanted on the way to 25 points and six rebounds. And the good Ty Walker (12 rebounds, six points, three blocks, three assists) showed up tonight, as opposed to the other Ty Walker who contributed a grand total of two points and three rebounds in 21 minutes against UNC Wilmington and Yale.
Otherwise, the absence of Harris exposed just how little the Deacons have this season—especially with Chase Fischer (1-for 7 for 2 points) unable to hit his jumper and point guard Tony Chennault unable to run the offense the way it needs to run. But as shaky as Chennault can be, the Deacons have nobody else to go to at the position. Coach Jeff Bzdelik tried freshman Anthony Fields in the first half, but was so unimpressed with what he saw (two turnovers, no points, in eight minutes) that he actually turned to walk-on Aaron Ingle after Chennault incurred foul trouble in the second half.
Ingle didn’t do much, but he hustled. He didn’t hurt the Deacons while on the court for six minutes, but didn’t provide much of a scoring threat either. Neither, for that matter, did Nikita Mescheriakov, Carson Desrosiers or Daniel Green. It’s pretty telling that only three Deacons—McKie, Walker and Chennault—scored in the second half.
Harris, who is second in the ACC with 18.7 points a game, strained his groin midway through the second half Thursday against Yale. The training staff shut him down Friday and Saturday, and gave him a chance to show what he could do on Sunday. When the groin still bothered him, Bzdelik made the decision to hold him out against Wofford.
Trainer Greg Collins said that Harris’ prognosis is highly favorable for Saturday’s ACC opener against Virginia Tech in Joel Coliseum.
Not that the Deacons need him, or anything like that.
Back to the main page.
By Dan Collins on 01/03/2012 (12:31 am)
Comments
Just watched the Virginia Tech game. Like I said, “rock bottom” is behind us. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges and bumps in the road. And it certainly doesn’t mean that we’re immune to complacency. This program has a hell of a long way to go until it is where it should be. But I’d like congratulate the team on a great effort today. It was a significant (albeit small) step in the right direction. Now don’t take your foot off the gas against Maryland this week. Go Deacs!
DC on 01/07/2012 (4:28 pm)
JoeyD,
I’d like to take the opportunity to completely agree with you on something. The Wofford game was not the most embarassing Wake Forest basketball game ever. In my opinion, the most embarassing loss by a Wake Forest basketball team occurred in 2009 against Cleveland State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Loaded team. National stage. Choke. Worst ever.
DC on 01/06/2012 (4:31 pm)
Talked to the gf last night. Had to correct her Dad. He said the Wofford loss had to be the most embarrassing ever for Wake. I told her it wasn’t even in the top5 of the Buzz era (which is really sad).
She’s trying to recruit me to the light (blue) side. She’s winning. I’ve agreed to watch Carolina games without openly pulling for the other team.
She’s only winning because I have NOTHING to pull for. I can do that because I really just don’t care any more. No need to hate Carolina if I have nothing to love about Wake Forest.
JoeyD on 01/06/2012 (2:35 pm)
I hate to keep beating the same drum…however, facts are facts and when you look at last years statistics through December and compare this years through the same period here is what you get: Points Per Game Average, we rank 134th, Rebounds Per Game, we rank 301st, assist per game, we rank 223rd, field goal percentage 115th. There are 346 schools in 32 conferences plus 4 independents across this great country. This is sad.
Tony Collins on 01/05/2012 (12:49 pm)
I think everyone is making very valid points. I think this team can be better, Buzz just needs to realize his offensive strategy isn’t working. He is wearing our players out running the high post/weave patterns. Our guys are working 3 times harder than other teams just trying to get an open shot, and unfortunately have to lob something up with 5 seconds left. He needs to understand that this strategy may work sometime agains lower division schools, but it’s not going to fly against the ACC teams.
Our recruits next year look good, but unless we adapt the game plan, the results will be similar. I know the assistant coaches know what a winning team looks like. I feel even the current players are being restricted as to their freedoms to just play on the court. There were at least two major opportunities where Tony C. had open passes to walker and Nikita in the lane, and pulled back to run the weave. The whole crowd saw it and expressed themselves.
I also wonder if there is a no dunking policy. Carson and others could have easily slammed home several shots, but elected for layups. If you want the crowd behind you, give us something.
I feel bad for Travis and CJ. Travis is just an excellent blue collar player. He works his tail off on the court, but even during this game, I could see his frustration. It’s a shame to see a player with his potential to not have a scheme design to support him better. He is the ONLY player that ever interacts with the fans, ballboys/girls, and shows emotion after a good play. I would hate to lose him to a transfer.
showemeheart on 01/05/2012 (11:34 am)
You;re right about Harris, he was sorely missed. But, it’s deeper than that. The same issues of last year are still evident this year. The WFU program is in a desperate situation; when a team made up of players that were probaly not recruited by any top level teams can come into an ACC team’s house and beat them something is wrong! I’m not disparaging Wofford, on the contrary, their team play and discipline is admirable. It’s the lack of those traits that describe the Deacs! All the tune games are now over and the long ACC season wiil begin, a situation that poses some sad news for Deac fans.
Richard on 01/05/2012 (10:54 am)
SO well said Jim. You expressed my sentiments precisely! I too have often wondered what Skip would think of the debacle that is now Wake Forest basketball. I honestly never thought I’d be so tuned out, but at this moment, I honestly do not care what happens to the rest of the season. Wake up Rin, the only thing worse than an angry fan… is an apathetic fan… and the only thing worse than that, is a coliseum that’s only 25% full of apathetic fans!
Kathy on 01/05/2012 (12:25 am)
No offense to CJ, he seems like a great kid with a lot of heart and talent, but for us to arrive on the day when his absence ensures a loss is a day that was unthinkable 3 years ago.
Clark on 01/04/2012 (11:20 pm)
Sadly, I have to agree with Dano’s comments that he “didn’t even care about the Wofford game”. Wake is so bad that it does not even really matter any more whether they are playing or not! We do not go to games when there is something else better to do (which is to stay home and watch anything else). The only way that RW will make try to correct his hiring mistakes is if we STOP giving money to the Deacon Club and buying over-priced season tickets to watch Buzzball which is nauseating and pathetic! Football is tough enough watching Lobo call the same plays over and over that do not work, but then to have to watch a team with so little talent and even worse coaching is too much to ask. RW will NOT make any changes until his (athletic dept) pocketbook takes a hit!
Bobby on 01/04/2012 (11:08 pm)
will somebody in the athletic dept. please explain why Wake can’t get top caliber basketball players anymore? Do they have a questionable success rate developing players once they are committed? Are they actually going to high school games seeing the player? All that I can say is that Wakes reputation is nothing like it use to be and you can’t live in the past and make excuses for present shameful performances. Words don’t make things happen-performance does.
jack on 01/04/2012 (1:28 pm)
I watch with shame the pre-game introductions as the lack of enthusiasm by all of us fans is so evident while the sound system blasts away.
The lights come back on and I glance up at the banner of Skip and think how he would be so disappointed to see all the hard work in making the Joel a happening place just vanish is a few years.
I watch the assistant coaches, who unlike when Skip was here, have no input in the game, but simply stand outside the timeout circle, posed in lost thought.
I especially feel for Coach Battle who has been so instrumental in building our program through three different coaches, and now sits without even a nod from the head coach throughout the game.
Season ticket holder since 1988 and never have I felt so disconnected with a Deacon program.
Jim on 01/04/2012 (10:52 am)
If the new president was back at Notre Dame you know how they would have handled the football and especially the basketball situation-very speedy,efficiently and new people in place. Wake just lets embarassments happen and waits for the next shoe to drop. They don’t act they jusr react. Time for changes before any good athlete will commit to this fiasco.
jack on 01/03/2012 (9:09 pm)
Did everyone see the awesome Tostitos Bowl last night between Stanford & Ok St? Why did all of you waste your time watching the Wofford game? I will never watch or attend another Bzzz game as long as he is here, guaranteed.
BZZZdork on 01/03/2012 (9:05 pm)
I am certainly fatigued from all of the Wofford-like losses last year - to the point that last night’s loss hurts just a little bit more.
But I think that “rock bottom” is behind us. And I hope that the evidence will be how this year’s group responds. I’ve been proud of the way they’ve competed together this year, and I hope that this latest challenge doesn’t hinder their resolve. That doesn’t mean that this year (and probably the next) won’t present us with more bumps in the road, but Wake Forest is on its way back, albeit much slower than any of us would like.
DC on 01/03/2012 (8:43 pm)
Coach Bz finally admitted “he has done a crappy job.” It just took him 1-1/2 seto asons to admit the obvious. If he is going to provide quotes like those in your article today it’s time for AD Wellman to make a change similar to what UNC-G finally did.
Last season it was one excuse after another, “this is a very young team, creating a new culture, dealing with player issues” and “wait until next year—-bringing in players who fit his culture.” Never did he admit he might be the problem.
Next year is here! His new system and culture are not working, players are degressing and again “it’s wait for the great recruiting class to arrive next year.”
DTuttle on 01/03/2012 (8:31 pm)
Wofford? Really?
McKie and Harris are the only ACC caliber players on this team and it showed last night. We can’t win without both of them in the line-up even when one of them scores half the points.
Wake basketball has officially hit rock bottom and the complete lack of fan support at the games speaks volumes. Bzzzz must go and take “Lobo” with him.
AV8R on 01/03/2012 (8:19 pm)
I guess losing to Wofford at home in front of a crowd of 2,000 (6,300 is a joke) was part of the ‘culture change.’ I guess if you look at it a certain way, the culture has changed pretty dramatically, so Wellman isn’t completely off-base there.
Wake is awful. I can’t believe I watched the whole game.
Casey on 01/03/2012 (5:52 pm)
Despair outloud
Its all despair when no one hears (RW just won’t listen)
My soul is searching.
It cries out to you RW.
Its like a whisper.
The present coach who holds us back.
It aches my heart.
Despair is all I know.
Despair is simple.
Despair is the Wake Forest Basketball Program.
Did you watch the game Ron?
Craig Carter on 01/03/2012 (5:32 pm)
I will not continue to rant as I did last season. Not because my thoughts and beliefs have changed, on the contrary, they continue to be confirmed with every game, and with every press conference. I have yet to hear a quote from Rusty or any of the other coaches. Buzz finally admitted the obvious….I am doing a crappy job…teaching….preparing the players….motivating my team.
The problem is….we saw this coming and we still hear the same answer…wait until next year…we have better recruits, and he is right, they are better but if you can’t coach or motivate what difference does it make?
Tony Collins on 01/03/2012 (4:49 pm)
9-22 here we come (counting the ACC tourney first round loss)!
McPhoos on 01/03/2012 (3:49 pm)
