My Take on Wake - Outside the Curtain Looking In

Outside the Curtain Looking In

To paraphrase my all-time musical hero, Hank Williams, If the Good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise I’ll be covering Wake basketball next season.

And in that I’m not the least bit anxious to chronicle another season as bad as this one, I can only hope Jeff Bzdelik wasn’t just blowing smoke after last night’s dismal 76-62 loss to Virginia Tech. When asked about Saturday’s game at Clemson, he asserted the following:

“Right now it’s all about Virginia Tech and making sure my players understand this: We are going to be a very, very good basketball team. No doubt in my mind,’’ Bzdelik said.

I’ve always endeavored to leave myself open to the infinite possibilities of the human spirit, drive and ingenuity. I like to think I’ve been taught that by witnessing all the many things in my life that I never, ever thought I’d see. And it’s also my belief that too many people see the events going on around them as static, and they never are. Everything in life is dynamic, changing all the time—for the better or the worse.

But even by leaving my mind as open as I possibly can, I’m going to need more evidence—far more evidence—before I can share Bzdelik’s optimism. Just last night I saw a short-handed Hokies team strapped by foul problems waltz through the Deacons’ defense like it wasn’t there. And in way too many cases it wasn’t. Travis McKie said afterward it’s inexcusable for an opponent to shoot 60 percent in the second half. Virginia Tech actually shot 65 percent, only reinforcing McKie’s point.

The Hokies also bulled the Deacons around, winning the battle of the boards 35-23 and scoring 16 points off the offensive boards.

So my question in the post-game was, in that these are areas the Deacons have been working on all season, how concerning is it to see an opponent score as freely and rebound as frequently in the 28th game of the season?

“Most young teams don’t defend very well. It’s all new to them,’’ Bzdelik said. “But we’re not a young team anymore because we’ve played 28 games. We’ll continue to work at it, plain and simple. What else can I tell you?

“You’ve got to be able to guard the ball. All five guys have got to be moving at once. I’m sure people don’t think I know a lick about defense or even teach it. Probably they just think I roll out the gosh-darn basketball. We work on it.’‘

Suzy Stark of News 14 Carolina asked Bzdelik if he felt the Deacons were a better team than they were on Jan. 15, when Wake lost 94-65 in Blacksburg.

“Yes,’’ Bzdelik said. “We’re a better basketball team. There’ no question about it. Is it reflective in the scores, reflected in winning and losing? Yes and no.

“But we’re a better basketball team for a variety of reasons. No. 1 we’re maturing off the court. I see signs of maturing on the court. That’s a positive thing. People don’t see that aspect of it. It will help us in the future as we create the culture that we want here. Is it reflected in the play? Yes. I thought we saw some players do some things today that we hadn’t seen. They’re learning. They’re growing. Unfortunately so is the competition.

“Everything is different. Are we different than we were in November? Yes we are. Are we different now than we were in December? Yes we are. But also the competition is different too. But there’s growth. There’s positive growth, and lot of growth that people don’t see because they don’t see behind the curtain.’‘

Wake doesn’t let me completely behind the curtain, but by attending practices I can get a peek. And I have seen signs of growth as well. J.T. Terrell is a much different and better player than he was in December, in that he’s beginning to understand the team concept. McKie continues to grow and develop, to the extent I really believe that with a couple of years of maturity and experience he can be a first-team All-ACC player. Though Tony Chennault’s play has been ragged since he returned from his broken foot, and his jumper is flat and slow off his hands, I do love his heart and his courage. And if I were a college basketball coach I’d want as many players like C.J. Harris as I could get.

But I really don’t know how that translates into how good the Deacons will be next year. All year I’ve watched the Deacons work diligently on defense in practice, and then turn around and make Joel Coliseum the path of least resistance in the ACC. I talked with Harris about that after the game, about how can a team take what they learn in practice and use it to win a game.

“We work on it,’’ Harris said. “But you have to have the mindset to go out and do it when the lights are on. We’ve just got to play D.

“We’ve just got to keep going harder and going harder. And if we keep playing harder in practice we’ll play hard in the games.’‘

I’m looking for reasons to believe Bzdelik and Harris. I’m looking really hard, and wouldn’t mind seeing it between now and the final game in the ACC Tournament. But last night all I saw was the same old same old.

And it is getting really old.

Back to the main page.

By Dan Collins on 02/23/2011 (3:36 pm)

Comments

Well the regular seasn closed with another
poor showing against BC. Now we can watch
Bzdelik go to work recruiting those big guys that he needs to bang the boards. I know he will be able to get 4 and 5 star players since he has such a great reputation. After all that’s why he gets the big bucks and was Wellmans only choice. Can’t wait to see the results next year.

grumpy on 03/07/2011 (12:16 pm)

Saw a buddy of mine that went to the Air Force Acad. He pointed out that the problem Coach Bzzzz is having is that his players as smart as he used to have and they don’t take orders too well, so they are constantly lost on the court wondering where they should be. So let’s just refer to this season as basic training… those guys will be honed into a fine machine within 4 years.

Lee on 02/27/2011 (2:15 pm)

Lee, thanks for calling me out on my post. I deserve it for even thinking like a Wolfpacker or a Pirate, much less posting that thought. You are correct that we are better than that.

We really would have problems if we had some rich control freak throwing their weight around. The man who wanted a return of around 100k or because his school didn’t do what he wanted is a reminder of what can happen.

Jerry on 02/25/2011 (3:04 pm)

I would like to address specifically Jim with these comments. Jim your comparison to Coach K and Bzdelicks first year at Wake as you admit really can’t be made, not because of the reason you state but one clear reason, Bzdelick is not even in the same ballpark when it comes to Coaching Talent. What you are saying is that if we give Bzdelick a chance and time as Duke did with Coach K we may see the same result. No one I have spoken to at WFU or fans would care if a rebuilding process for 2 or 3 years was needed provided there was a chance that this staff could do the job. But the facts and all of the research that is available just simply do not add up when you ask why this Coach was hired. And contrary to what you write, there are many facts and evidence available to determine if this is the right Coach and if he will be successful. There are several facts you left out. First Coack K although young and little experience was projected to be another Bobby Knight. Bzdelick is in his 50’s. Obviously no one knew he would be as good as he is, but do you really think Bzdelick is the kind of Coach that could be just half as good as Coack K? If so, where is your evidence? First, we know for a fact he hasn’t been at one school more than 3 three years. Based on your comparison with Coach K’s first few years, we will still have a losing record after 3 years and history repeats itself we’ll be looking for a Coach. Secondly his rebuilding projects have not been that successful. This year his Colorado Team is 18-14. His has a loosing post season record, and we still do not know one of the most important facts about him and that is what is his graduation rate? If you recall one of the reason’s Dino was fired was the lack of success in post season. Wouldn’t it stand to reason that you would hire a coach that has experience and success in post season play? They lack of progress made throughout the year is a clear indication that unless this coach has all star talent he will not be successful. Can you honestly say that we have improved since we beat Iowa? If you watched the VT game you saw a team that was completely lost. You have two 7 foot players who had 3 rebounds between them. With the exception of JTT no other player has made any noticable improvement. Even Travis McKy really hasn’t improved, he still takes ill advised shots and is off balance when he shoots the 3. He rarely squares up to the basket prior to shooting. Being a Coach for years you see these basic fundamentals that we do not do, and it dosen’t matter how young you are, those things are teachable. If this Coach had a history of winning and developing players and winning conference championships no one would say a word about this hire. But there has been to many red flags to many questions that Welmen refuses to answer. There has also been to many contridictions from comments made by Welmen as well. Mainly his relationship with Bzdelick. He still refuses to identify the “Culture” issue that we had under Dino. If Welmen wanted to he could calm alot of the Alumni and fans by just being up front and honest. But there are to many that realizes this stinks to high heaven.

One last thing, I waste no energy writing this, when I am at games I come early talk to the players, and leave when the horn sounds, many times am there when Bzdelick or the players come out and talk to Dinger and Stan. But as long as I continue to see what I saw Tuesday Night I will continue to speak out as loud as I can.

Tony C on 02/25/2011 (2:04 pm)

I think the AD should come to the next game dressed as a bumble bee and go up and down all the aisles of the Joel screaming BBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…. (I’d rather he not do it at the GTech game since it could be considered to be the Yellow Jacket) Let us all know that the coach has some support… The cheerleaders need a new cheer that is filled with buzzing as well. Put little stingers on their behinds…. and the band needs to get out the comb and tissue paper and blow some buzzing through the airwaves for the fight song…

Do you think any of that will happen?

Just the ramblings of a mid 80’s Deacon college education…

Lee Jackson on 02/25/2011 (12:41 pm)

It is sad that the Deacon fans have become no better than the Wolfpack or Pirate fans that do nothing other than clamour for the firing of a coach. We’re better than this.

Lee Jackson on 02/25/2011 (12:36 pm)

I generally don’t like hypothetical questions——because they require hypothetical answers.

On another blog that many people hold dear they have been playing “what if” Wellman let Bzdelik go;who are some possible coaches to go after?

There have been some good posts that make good reading and people appear to be having a good time.Some suggestions are Painter of Purdue and Dixon of Pitt and other successful coaches. Painter would be a wonderful catch, but there is probably an ice cube’s chance in Hell of ever getting him.

As has been mentioned several times, Wellman is very unlikely to back down and we probably can’t pay Gaudio and Bzdelok and attract a marquee coach.

What I wonder is: Among our many alumni who have done well financially do we have any great big influential contributors that have enough clout to bring real pressure on Wake and Hatch?, as apparently EC and State have? As I understand, There are two brothers who have made fortunes in hog farming(don’t laugh, they reportedly are very smart, astute businessmen).They reportedly donate so much money to EC and NC State that they have trememdous clout. One is very influential in the Pirate Club for EC, the other in the Wolfpack Club.

I realize we have wealthy donors, the Moricle Society, The man who donated tons to the upgrade of BB&T Field, plus undoubtedly many anonymous donors.But do we have some that give so much they could put real pressure on Wake if they wanted Bzdelik gone? Of course, Wellman and Hatch probably wouldn’t cave, since they are strong men of integrity.

Just wondering.

Jerry on 02/25/2011 (11:50 am)

Well put Jim. Nobody is happy with this mess and nobody can be convinced that Bz is the man at this point in a miserable season. But no change is coming soon,like it or not. Stay behind the kids,for better or worse. And Dan, you are insightful as always. I must say, though, that some of these comments need to be filtered. Most of today’s are thoughtful and decent. Some, at times, however, are not and they tend to come from the same people. No matter what we think of the coach personal attacks on him as a husband and a father are way out of line. And Wellman may have made a terrible mistake here but wishing for someone to “smash his face” is really over the top. I hope that kind of mean spirited vitriol has not become the mark of a Wake fan.

JRHunter on 02/25/2011 (11:09 am)

For the record, Coach K was 11-14 his first year at Army. At Duke, his 1st year was 17-13, but the next two years were 10-17 and 11-17 (Wikepedia). More importantly, I don’t believe comparisons can be made as there are too many variables ie. quality of competition, players returning, etc. Also, Gaudio did not have a primarily freshman team when he took over. I am not happy with the progress Bzdelick has made. However, I don’t think we have enough to make a judgement call on him after only one season. For most coaches, you get a pass on the first year. It is what you do with the program over the next year or two that tells us what we have as a coach. Even by that standard, if Coach K had been judged by what he accomplished in his 2nd and 3rd years, he would have been fired. The emotional energy being spent on yelling for Bzdelick’s firing (which is not going to happen) might be better spent on cheering on these kids, who represent our team.

Jim on 02/25/2011 (9:47 am)

Too bad for Deacon Nation. The seats are empty and the fans have voted with their feet. This is a disaster, and everytime I turn on ESPNU I see Dino nicely dressed with his record flashing underneath him as he makes his knowledgable statements and he is knowledgable whether you liked him or not. So seeing that record and remembering wins over Duke and NC, and now watching perhaps one of the worst team in WFU history, and looking at BZ’s mediocre record, I have to wonder what the hell was anyone thinking here? Rebuilding project? When were we that? A big mistake is what this was and is and now fans are not coming and we are the joke when the camera flashes there. Very sad for a proud program with a proud history.

fpvjr on 02/25/2011 (8:11 am)

Not to say I was a big Dino fan, but 17 and 13 was his first year record also and his situation was very similar to coach Bzdelik’s

Frank II on 02/25/2011 (12:35 am)

This years Wake team is, I believe, the worst team in ACC history. I believe I speak for all Wake fans when I say that this season should be considered an absolute failure for even a Big South team. Wake was considered one of the “Big 3” in ACC basketball!
I saw the crowd of the VT game. Small, lifeless, empty. After years of seeing every ACC game sold out, LJVM was a sad joke. Unacceptable!!
I believe every fan is willing to sit through a “rebuilding season” if we see progress: better shot selection, better defense, better on-court decisions. The players are playing their tails off, but the coaches are not putting them in the right mindset/culture to win. This team does not even look like an ACC team, and haven’t all season long. Whatever the coaches are doing to help the player’s mentality ISN’T WORKING. Time for a change!!

Clark on 02/24/2011 (11:08 pm)

For the umpteenth time, Coach K’s first year record was 17-13, they beat 3 top 20 teams that year and made it to the NIT quarters. Coack K was also only 33 years old and had a winning record at Army before he went to Duke. How does that compare to Bz?!!?

Hugh on 02/24/2011 (8:47 pm)

Since the new coach has a horrible record it makes me wonder when coach K and Dean Smith started at Duke and UNC what was their records in years one and two.

Hopefully we have the same problem that they had which is not bad.

thanks

patrick price

patrick price on 02/24/2011 (4:49 pm)

This is just awful Buzz should have never been hired! They need to fire him before he does more damage. Kids will transfer and he will not get any good kids to buy into a loosing program. Do you think kids wil come to Wake when they win 1 acc game a year

Joe on 02/24/2011 (1:59 am)

WHERE WERE THE STUDENTS? After 44 years of
watching Wake Basketball and being at both football championships and the Orange Bowl I know that Wake will rebound.Please do not get after the players. It turns out the students were
more interested in getting drunk and arrested than supportihg the players according to the WS Journal this morning.
They should abolish the student section
since they cannot show up for games. It might help if the people that show for the
games not leave so early. I’m sure the players would appreciate it. I’m still supporting the team but not Wellman or Bz.

Frankie on 02/23/2011 (8:20 pm)

Dan,
A few weeks ago JT posted the item below. This was from the January 27th Winston Salem Journal Basketball Luncheon. Did you or another reporter from the Journal attend? Was there an article? I do not recall one and cannot find one with a search of the site. Was anyone else there who can verify JT’s comments. It’s not me JT, but others are questioning your veracity.

JT said…
Thanks for a great in depth interview with Wellman. I have just left the BBall luncheon with both BB coaches and Wellman and I am more confused than before I went. In your interview Wellman discussed that he wanted to model the Wake program after two very successful programs in our conference (Duke and Carolina) among others. At lunch a question was asked Coach B. how is recruiting was coming and he said very well, but we should not expect to see 5 star or 4 star recruits, we should expect to see players ranked around the Top 50 “at their position” in the nation, and that when they are Juniors (stronger more mature) and they should be in the top 25 at their position. If you want to model your program like those two programs they recruit the top 25 and most of the time top 10 players at their position and even “all positions”. You will never compete with the Dukes and Carolina’s of this league if all you go after is the top 50 at their position. I am not sure if he believes he is a better coach than Coach K and Roy or has just given up hope!

JT on 01/27/2011 (3:49 pm)

gt on 02/23/2011 (8:13 pm)

I haven’t seen anything in the 2nd half of the season or in our incomming recruits that would suggest next season is any better than this season. Quite simply, Bzdelik’s teams have gotten worse over since his Air Force days with regard to points per game. Nothing suggests he or the deacs will change that trend. :(

Jeff on 02/23/2011 (8:05 pm)

I was one of the few who showed up last night, and the team that I watched the last two home games was not the same team that beat Iowa at home. In my opinion we played better against Iowa than we did the last two games. Come on people, something is really wrong here. In my business I before we hire anyone I do a thorough background/experience check on the person we are considering to make sure they fit with in the organization. There is no way with all of the media and information that is available with the Coach that he would be considered for WFU. Not if the criteria that Welmen laid out was true. Ron Welmen has not been truthful about this hire. In a article announcing his hire, Bzdelick was introduced as the perfect fit, he has ties to the school plus he was a close friend of Welmen, but in a interview with Stan Cotton and “Dinger” he was quoted as saying he was a distant co-worker. This stinks and the bad thing is the school and the players are paying the highest price. All I have heard from this Coach is how inadequate the players are, they don’t defend, they don’t rebound, they don’t hustle. I coached AAU ball no less with Rusty Larue, and rebounding, defense, shooting, offensive and defensive schemes are teachable if you are a good coach, so why is all of the other Freshmen in the league (most ranked below Wake’s freshmen) seem to be growing at a faster rate? One comes to mind is two of the VT players last night and the NC State who now start 3 freshmen.
I watch this Coach the last two games interact with our players, the refs and the coaches and he simply gives me the impression he is lost. The only time that it appears our players are on the same page is the mojo dance the participate in during introductions while they are in circle. I did not see one blockout last night. That is evident, by the number of rebounds by Walker and Carson. I have yet to see Carson put a body on someone. The ball goes and seems like he does not know what to do. Why in the world does he start?
I am so tired of watching all of the other ACC teams improve. But yet Bz say’s he see’s it, on and off the court. I do not buy it, it would have shown up by now.

I know we are stuck, we just are, no likely recruits that will really impact us next year. This is so hard to watch.

Tony C on 02/23/2011 (6:43 pm)

No doubt this team will be very good. It should happen as soon as Wake gets a new coach. That would be assuming that we do not lose players to transfers while we are waiting for Bzdelick to be fired.
Many (including you Dan) are saying that we cannot fire Bzdelick after one year. We need to wait one or two more years. Does anyone really believe that Bzdelick is the answer? Is there any reason to believe that Wake will not fire him after 2 or 3 years. I do not think Vegas would give odds on this coach making it for the long haul. If that is the case, and based on the evidence how can anyone think otherwise, Wake should fire him after this year.

Ken Nowell on 02/23/2011 (6:40 pm)