Jelling Time For J.T. Terrell
The J.T. Terrell I’ve seen in this last brace of games and practices is not the same player who was as maddening as he was captivating over the first two months of the season.
At the risk of being accused of obsessing over Terrell—who, you have to admit, has provided plenty of blog fodder throughout his freshman season—I want to make mention of how impressed I was by the way he played against Miami. His statistics (10 points, three rebounds, four assists, three turnovers) were relatively modest, but other than the turnovers, almost everything he did helped his team have a real chance at pulling out the win. He didn’t come out gunning, but instead let the game come to him. But when it did, he had the brass to take the big shot that needed to be taken.
His clutch 3-pointer with three minutes remaining tied the game at 70. And even though he missed the 3-pointer at the buzzer, he was able to handle a tough low pass and get off an attempt that didn’t just have a great chance, but actually circumnavigated the rim before spinning out. He finished with three field goals on nine attempts, making it the sixth straight game he has taken fewer than 10 field-goal attempts.
Terrell has great quickness and long arms. When he’s locked in and putting it on the line, he can be a tough defender. But what was most impressive in his game against Miami was his passing. Coach Jeff Bzdelik said the game tapes revealed that of his four assists, three came on passes worth running back and watching again.
“They’re growing,’’ Bzdelik said. “For example, J.T. Terrell had four assists and three of them were outstanding passes, where he read the defender.
“One was to C.J. Harris, whose man had stunted off of him to help. He read that perfectly and hit C.J. Also, against a zone, he read Travis McKie perfectly when Travis set a screen for Gary running the baseline and the bottom defender in the zone stepped out – Travis read it perfectly, which was another great sign, and stepped right in there. J.T. saw that and read the defense.
“It’s not just about passing the ball. You need to be able to read the defender and understand how your teammate is being played. J.T. made three wonderful passes that led to baskets, easy baskets, for us by simply reading the defender. That’s the sign of somebody with a very high basketball I.Q., and who now is taking to coaching and understanding.’‘
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By Dan Collins on 02/12/2011 (4:24 pm)
Comments
JT is gonna end up being a very nice player for Wake.
AG on 02/15/2011 (1:29 pm)
I’m very glad to see JTT developing. It is obvious to me that he has the most raw talent and potential on this team. Hopefully he will continue to tap into it and grow as a player. If so, he’ll be really fun to watch over the next couple of seasons.
Also, not sure I would give G$ the green light…He’s played great, but one of the reasons for his 60-plus percent 3-poing shooting his that he’s become one of the most selective 3-point shooters around. Need to let him continue to pick his spots instead of encouraging him to shoot more…
Andy Y on 02/13/2011 (9:52 am)
You know I have to agree with Brian & I asked this blog 4 to 6 weeks ago about having JT run the point - we know he isnt a pure point but if he really gets it as he did against Miami, why not?? - I so admire the job CJ is doing but JT can be more dynamic & seems to see the open floor better these days - sure he will turn it over but at this point, I’d try it…???
rich on 02/13/2011 (8:43 am)
JTT did play well against Miami and I hope he keeps it up….but if anyone should have a green light, it’s G$ and his 60%+ from 3 point land!
Ken Green on 02/12/2011 (10:39 pm)
briant, you are amazing. Dan or the Journal can give you any subject, and it always ends up about having Ty on the court and playing with size. JT or CJ could get off for 30 pts. and you would find fault if Ty wasn’t on the court. Dude, you are totally fixated with your idea of how the team should look. Perhaps you should arrange to meet with Caoch Bzdelick and give him some pointers on how the lineup that you said you could win the ACC with, should look.
Jim on 02/12/2011 (6:10 pm)
He’s gotten a lot better and he needs to play the point with how our coach’s system works. If he makes it to the NBA, it will be as a point guard. Our system of give the ball to the point guard and let him do whatever will ONLY work if JTT is the point.
Of anyone on our team that I feel should have a green light to shoot, it has to be JTT. That’s his game. But when he started this year, he didn’t see his team mates. Now he recognizes how fun it is to set up his team mate.
Not taking anything from CJ or TC or Gary, but as good as they are, they are a dime a dozen talent wise. JTT has amazing elevation to get his shot off and is quicker laterally than any of the other guards.
To take pressure off of JTT’s shot at point, you need dedicated rebounders around him. McKie, Carson, Walker on the court at the same time are more likely to get him another shot if he misses than any other line-up.
for a coach though, if he misses and we lose, blame it on missing. If you want to win, you make sure that when he misses, you get to shoot until you make it with dedicated rebounders.
CJ, TC, and Clark won’t get him another opportunity if they are on the court instead of bigs. For those that say size doesn’t matter, ask yourself why they have weight classes in sports like boxing and wrestling. You can make the game easy for your talent or hard for your talent. The coach determines the position that the talent is in.
Brian Thacker on 02/12/2011 (5:40 pm)
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