Seeing Is Believing
There’s never been any team in any sport, or at least none that I’ve ever come across, that didn’t profess to believe in itself. Some did. Some didn’t. Some only believed they believed and some, perhaps, only believed they believed they believed—if you care to follow me through that looking glass looking into a looking glass.
That’s why Wake’s timber-rattling 58-55 victory today over Virginia Tech could mean more to the Deacons than the 1-0 ACC start.
On Friday, both coach Jeff Bzdelik and forward Travis McKie said categorically they believe in this team Deacons Believe in Their Chances in ACC Of course they did. That’s what all coaches and players say.
As recently as Monday’s 56-52 loss to Wofford, Bzdelik was castigating himself in the frankest of terms (well not quite) for not getting his team motivated to perform.
“You know what, I’ve done a horse crap job — and you can write that,” Bzdelik said a decibel or two above his normal speaking voice. “I’ve done a horse crap job getting my team motivated and disciplined on both the offensive and defensive end.
“And somehow I’ve done a horse crap job of getting them to rebound the basketball. Throw it all on me.’‘
Five days later, after three solid practices and a session or two of analysis, the Deacons played like a team worth believing in.
Call it mind over blather.
“I think that what they went through last year, they’re only human,’’ Bzdelik said after the game. “And when you don’t win a lot of games, and when there’s all this stuff all around you – and this is what I’m getting at – all this peripheral stuff all around you causing chaos for example off the court and things like that. And then you couple that with not winning. And then everybody around you in the community is doubting you, because we live in a negative society. They’re only human, you’re young people and doubt creeps in.
“So what I meant by what I said last game was I’ve got to somehow got to get them to believe in themselves. that they are a talented group if they truly, truly believe – when everybody else around them is doubting them. It’s us. That’s the only thing that matters. Believe in yourself. I believe in you, and that’s what I was getting at.
“If all we’ve done in the last (few practices) in addition to their physical drills is to let them know how much we believe in them, I believe in them and they can do this. And they’re talented enough to do this. So that was a big focus about that.
“The first thing I wrote on the blackboard was The Mind. It’s a powerful weapon, the mind, and belief.’‘
McKie said he didn’t see anything he didn’t expect to see, as the Deacons were thumping Virginia Tech 42-31 on the backboards, moving the basketball, digging in on defense and making the shots that mattered when they mattered most. C.J. Harris, after making only one of his first six shots from the floor, nailed two 3-pointers in the final 65 seconds to hand Bzdelik his biggest win since he’s been head coach at Wake.
“You’re supposed to believe in yourself,’’ McKie said. “That comes from the leadership that me and C.J. instill in this team, that we can win. We can win these games.
“Don’t listen to the media. Don’t listen to the boards, or the people throughout the community. We can win this game. So I think it was a great win for us. It was a great for team morale to start out in the league 1-0 and I’m happy.’‘
As I was putting the finishing touches on this post, I found out that Clemson, the same Clemson that has looked like horse crap this season, routed Florida State 79-59 today. And both Georgia Tech and Boston College gave Duke and North Carolina more than they wanted.. To me, it just confirms what we should always remember, but rarely do, that if a team shows up, plays hard and plays together, and really, really believes in itself, then astounding things can happen.
Like Wake beating Virginia Tech to open the ACC 1-0.
“We all made a commitment to each other that all we care about is winning,’’ freshman Chase Fischer said. “We throw individual statistics out. We throw out everything that’s going on. We pick each other up. And coach Bzdelik and his staff have done a great job of preaching belief and I think that we do believe.
“Maybe some people don’t believe in us and maybe this is going to change some minds. But that’s what we’re hoping to do every game is come out and make statements. And hopefully the Wake Forest community believes in us as well.’‘
Back to the main page.
By Dan Collins on 01/07/2012 (6:59 pm)
Comments
Seeing this team play with intensity from the very beginning was great. This was a good win for us.
Craig Carter on 01/09/2012 (6:13 pm)
Dan you were sitting at the score table during Wofford game so I don’t think you saw what I was seeing. Everyone was too busy talking football with Jerry Richardson to show any “belief” in the basketball game. I felt for the guy. I know I know I have grabbed a hand shake or two from someone in the “Joel” before ( met one of my life long hero’s Eli Gold during Alabama NIT game ) but dang someone like Richardson should have a secretary or something that can call and get him a box suite…......Anyhoo—Va Tech game—Ty Walker when you were under the basket on defense with arms straight up it befuddled Va Tech. You played an awesome game.
Doug on 01/08/2012 (9:18 am)
Great game and, as the game progressed, the crowd got more and more into it! By the end, it was almost like old times! Perhaps now, fans will show up for the next home game and give the Deacs a home advantage over NCSU…I hope so!
Jim on 01/08/2012 (9:12 am)
I’m so happy for the players and coaches who were rewarded today for all their effort. Last year was frustrating in so many ways, one of them, the rotten reaction by Wake fans toward buzz. Coach got the short end of the stick when he showed up at a point when we had three players leave early, and other players had questionable attitudes. It would’ve been nice had buzz connected better with these so-called “talents” but it’s not uncommon for the first year of a coach’s tenure to include some housecleaning. Buzz isn’t charismatic and he speaks a little awkwardly, but I believe his philosophy is good and can work at the “BCS” level of college hoops. I like the focus on developing a belief in your teammates and, by extension, yourself.
I have no idea if buzz will be successful over the long haul at Wake, but I see progress in this team and the individuals on it. Granted, we’re low in numbers, and down a bit in talent so we can’t have key players miss games, but I could see 5 to 6 more wins this year if things break right, as they did today. Great job by the Deacs!
Andy on 01/08/2012 (12:09 am)
Dan I think there’s been so much negativity surrounding the basketball program the last year and a half that today was so much of a breath of fresh air. Everyone involved with the program wether it be the players, coaches, buzz-inners, and buzz-outers all have one thing in common, we want Wake Foret to be respected again in basketball. Today was just what the doctor ordered. The players deserved this so much. I think these guys can win MULTIPLE ACC games but it will not be easy. The rebounding was a great thing to watch today. Also got to give props to CJ Harris. Took alot of guts to take and make that shot today. Go Deacs!
Cliff Daniel on 01/07/2012 (11:26 pm)
I liked what I saw today. I saw a team with all the talent I’ve been told we didn’t have all season.
I saw a team that was bigger than it’s opponent, that played with a size advantage.
Travis McKie only spent 7 min today at power forward. We only went to a 3 guard set for 12 min and that about 4 minutes too long. More playing time for Meschirakov I think would have produced a bigger win.
Ty Walker, weak stat line, but he’s a game changer. He changed shots, he changed the way Virginia Tech attacked the basket. He made those around him better, particularly Trav and Nikita 24 boards between them.
I’d really like to see them on his play on the block and let him and Carson play together more. That was nice inside-out play between Walker and Meschirakov. It needs to happen more.
As I look around the league, with the exception of Duke and Carolina, we’re bigger than every one else. It’s time we figure out what are strengths are 2Gs 2Fs and a C and we play that way.
Time to go to a solid 7 man rotation with Walker, Desrosiers, Meshirakov and Fisher playing about 25 min a piece and McKie, Harris and Chennault playing 30-35.
We can finish 3rd or 4th in this league if we play to our strengths. It’s up to the coach!!!
JoeyD on 01/07/2012 (9:52 pm)
This is a completely different team from last year. They’re young, a little shaky sometimes but far more cohesive and together. Of course, we need ALL of our parts functioning as one (as in no CJ on Monday) but this this team certainly has the opportunity to win a few games in the league. But even if they don’t, I’m loving that they care about each other and winning. We haven’t had that in a couple years. They sure made a few new believers today! Way to go guys! Keep up the good work!
Ken Green on 01/07/2012 (9:36 pm)
I BELIEVE!
Matt on 01/07/2012 (8:27 pm)
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