Saturday Basketball As It Should Be
If guys working for newspapers set the time for tipoffs instead of guys working for television networks, then most every Saturday basketball game would begin at 1 p.m. I’m not even an early riser and I was on hand in plenty of time for Wake Forest’s game today against Holy Cross. So after enjoying the game, seeing some good friends, writing my story and plowing home through the snow (it actually had melted on the highways, truth be told) it’s still only 5:50 as I’m sitting in my den writing this.
And when I’m done with this, I’ll crack open a cold party beverage, toss a few spicy chicken wings in the microwave and hunker down to some Saturday night sports whose game times were indeed set by guys who work for television networks. Life is grand.
Jeff Bzdelik is clearly feeling better about his team as well after the Deacons won their third straight. I liked Holy Cross’s team. Coach Milan Brown, who stood directly in front of me most of the game, had a good scheme and is players executed it well and played hard. Their 0-6 record notwithstanding, I’ll bet the Crusaders could take Stetson and might even knock off Winthrop on a good night on a neutral floor.
But the Deacons, who got so easily rattled in their first few games, seem to be getting a grip as November has passed into December. Holy Cross made a run at them late, paring a 15-point lead to six, but I never got the sense that Wake was in any trouble whatsover. The Deacons, for the most part, kept running their offense and getting good shots. One of the best came when Travis McKie drove right of the lane and kicked into the right corner to C.J. Harris, who drained a 3-pointer to run the lead back to 10.
“Big shot,’’ Brown said as the ball went through the net. “We didn’t need that.’‘
Afterward, Bzdelik was a happy man.
“I’m extremely proud of my young basketball team,’’ Bzdelik said. “In the midst of final exams, and tutors and papers due, they’re showing improvement. We defended a little bit better today. We shared the ball, at times, better today. We found a way to win another game. It’s all positive.
“Now we’re going to take some time off for finals so they can totally concentrate on what’s ahead for them academically. And we’ll get back to practice on Wednesday.’‘
Bzdelik downplayed his decision to not start J.T. Terrell, the hero of Tuesday’s victory over Iowa, because Terrell was late for this morning’s 8:30 shoot-around. Seems like I wasn’t the only one to sleep late this morning. But that’s pretty much standard practice for any coach anywhere, to require his players to be on time and to make measures when they’re not. Terrell’s shooting touch had gone cold since Tuesday, but he did hustle his way to four rebounds. Bzdelik praised his effort afterward.
Bzdelik was also really happy with the play of Harris, McKie and Gary Clark.
Harris made six of six shots from the floor to score 16 points to go with four rebounds, three assists and a steal. He also had three of Wake’s 17 turnovers.
“C.J. Harris is a very intelligent player, a very efficient player,’’ Bzdelik said. “He’s growing into becoming a leader. I think he’s becoming more comfortable in his role at point guard. He played an outstanding game, not only offensively but defensively as well.’‘’
McKie, who was 0-for-3 against Iowa, bounced back with 18 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
“Travis is one of those, I think, throw-back players, to be honest with you,’’ Bzdelik said. “When the smoke clears at the end of the game he fills up that stat-sheet. It was like our last game against Iowa, he offensively didn’t put up points. But he filled out the stat sheet with rebounds, assists. (He was also) stunting defensively, helping out – things that don’t show up in the stat sheet.
“He does a lot of things that we’re starting to take for granted, but are so important as far as winning.’‘
And one of the best stories on the team is Gary Clark, the senior who after waiting three years for his big chance, has played really well over the first eight games of his final season. Today he started in place of Terrell, and contributed 16 points by hitting six field goals on 11 attempts.
“I think first and foremost what Gary does is he plays with a great passion,’’ Bzdelik said. “And passion and energy, that’s contagious. It really and truly is. It’s contagious. And when you have a senior doing that, it uplifts everybody, including this arena.
“And I want to say something about our crowd. We had a great crowd for an early Saturday afternoon game to support these young guys as they continue to get better. We really appreciate the people supporting us. That means a lot to us. And so, Gary’s passion and energy with which he came out and played today – along with the crowd – these are things that are very important to a young team.’‘
And what is important to this not-so-young sportswriter is a good time on Saturday night. So if you’ll excuse me, the cold beer, hot wings and big-time football await.