John Gasaway and the Basketball Prospectus team just released their season preview publication and John was gracious enough to give yours truly a complimentary copy. I thought I'd share a few tidbits with you and encourage you to go buy the full version for just $8.
On Duke's defense last year
What Duke did well: Change—abruptly and dramatically. The numbers above suggest that Duke played very good defense last year. The truth is that over their first seven conference games they played extraordinary defense. (Think Memphis-in-C-USA-good.) Then, on February 4, the Blue Devils lost at Clemson by the score of 74-47. From that point on their defense was terrible (NC State-bad).
On Georgia Tech's offense
What we learned in 2009: Scoring requires not only made shots but also, more fundamentally, attempted shots. Tech may have been better than their record (they were 0-3 in OT games in-conference), but let’s not kid ourselves about this offense. As indicated above it was indeed the worst offense in the ACC. More worrisome for Hewitt, it was sub-standard across the board,particularly in holding on to the ball (last in the conference) and in two-point shooting (again, last). Nor were there many made free throws (last) or offensive boards (11th). This offense needs help.
On Javier Gonzalez
Javier Gonzalez (5-11, 170, Jr.). A pass-first point guard who nevertheless hit 43 percent of his infrequent threes in 2008-09, Gonzalez had real problems with turnovers as a sophomore. In fact his travails here were emblematic: NC State gave the ball away on 22 percent of their possessions in ACC play. An inability to hang on to the ball was the only limiting factor on an offense blessed with both excellent shooting and the conference’s best offensive rebounder.
On Marcus Ginyard
Marcus Ginyard (6-5, 210, Sr.). Ginyard’s an excellent example of a defensive specialist (Williams refers to him simply as “our best defender”), one who will guard the ball and shoot less often than any of his fellow starters. He effectively missed all of last year due to a stress fracture in his left foot and was given a medical redshirt, enabling him to return for a fifth season. Carolina could have used Ginyard last year in their losses to Boston College (Tyrese Rice scored 25 points) and Wake Forest (Jeff Teague scored 34).
There is oh so much more information on the ACC and college basketball in the Basketball Prospectus season preview. Also, former Blue Devils and ESPN commentator Jay Bilas authored the forward. Go get your copy today!
