One Basket Dino Didn’t Want
Most among the first sell-out crowd of the season at the Conte Forum didn’t take note because they were already gone or headed for the door. I know one sportswriter didn’t take note because he/I was deep in the maelstrom of writing on a really, really tight deadline. But one person took note when Al-Farouq Aminu scored off an oop from Ish Smith for a basket with 14 seconds remaining in Wake Forest’s 83-63 victory at Boston College Wednesday night.
That person was Dino Gaudio. And he was not happy.
He let his Wake Forest team know it in the locker room afterward, before anyone met with the media. And he addressed the basket in the media conference later.
“I barked at them afterward a little bit,’’ he said. “I told them I was proud of them, it was a great win. I wasn’t happy with the last shot. You’re not supposed to do that.’‘
Gaudio, who like his predecessor and best-friend Skip Prosser has always been a ``No More Shots’’ kind of coach when ahead by a prohibitive margin, said he could understand—almost.
“We kept showing them tape of our game last year when they put it on us pretty good,’’ he said. “And I told them `Wrong is wrong. When you’ve got a team and it’s over, you pull the ball out and you hold the ball. You don’t take a shot like that at the end and try to show anybody up. That’s not respect for the game. That’s not respect for the game.’
“They had their heads down. I don’t know if they were happy with what I was saying, but you’ve got to respect the game and you’ve got to respect your opponents. We have great respect for Boston College. That’s a really nice win for us.’‘
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By Dan Collins on 01/15/2009 (9:52 pm)
Comments
Ya know I don’t totally support what happened at the BC game but I kinda felt like BC had it coming to them. It’s kind of hard to hold the guys back especially what BC did to them last year. Just remember that BC has to come down to Winston also. I have great respect for this team and the coaching staff. You guys are doing a great job!! GO DEACS!!
Cliff on 01/17/2009 (1:20 am)
to aaron’s point,
this was “it” coming back around to BC.
wes on 01/16/2009 (10:48 pm)
Jeff Teague continues to mean a lot to this year’s successful Wake Forest season. He has accepted the responsibilities of an ACC point guard. His leadership and getting everyone involved has led to many easy baskets in the paint. This year’s Deacons appears to be jelling and the team chemistry shows.
The UNC and Boston College games showed just how much he can control a game, put pressure on the opposing team, and an offensive threat. During the 1st half of the BC game it appeared he was focused on getting everyone involved. The big guys were almost unstoppable and constantly got easy baskets in the paint.
The 2nd half was a different story. Teague seemed to look more for his shot rather than keeping the big guys involved. Jay Bilas was quick to note that Teague needed to do less dribbling, less looking for his shot and get back to what he had done in the 1st half; dishing off to the big guys for easy baskets in the paint.
I sure hope Coach Gaudio took notice of what was happening. Hopefully he will have a heart-to-heart talk with Teague before it affects the team chemistry or becomes a distraction. We need Teague to get everyone involved the entire game against Clemson.
We need the big guys to make their presence known at Clemson. Trevor Booker is a beast and we need to get him in early foul trouble. And, Teague is just the person who can dish off at the last minute to our big guys being covered by Booker.
Danny Tuttle on 01/16/2009 (9:14 pm)
Yes, I could understand this in some ways with Jeff because of how much trash Rice talked to him all game.
However, I did cringe when I saw it. I always find that eventually what comes around goes around. When you are up by 3 possessions with the team not even fouling under NO circumstances do you dunk on the other team with no defense.
This was the first time this year where I have been a little disappointed, and told my wife, knowing coach G, he would rip into them for it.
Aaron on 01/16/2009 (12:50 pm)
I agree with Ken. I know Dino is saying what he has to say because he’s the coach, but I like that the guys are showing an attitude and swagger. They’ve brought to the basketball team what Alphonso Smith brought to the football team. Cockiness, swagger, and the attitude that they will win every time out.
Jess on 01/16/2009 (12:21 pm)
Disagree with Ken. My Mom used to preach to me “Two Wrongs does not make a Right”. Great game for the Deacs.
John on 01/16/2009 (11:54 am)
While I admire Dino’s respect and desire, all I can say is, with Tyrese Rice laughing at us last year, Skinner NEVER called off the dogs. I don’t blame our players one bit! That basket was a “we haven’t forgotten” basket!
Sorry, Dino, but I disagree with you on this one but keep up the good work! You guys are doing one HELLUVA job!
Ken Green on 01/15/2009 (10:40 pm)
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