The passiveness and weak defense in the first half was especially disappointing.
Leaving everything else aside, effort should be a given. No excuses. UNC got every loose ball and there were several times when ND three or four players around the ball and UNC took it or nearly took it. Roper's expanded minutes have been for one sole reason: He is the only guy who always plays at 100% effort. He and Konstantin (I'm not even going to try the last name) are the only guys who play physically. Why Konstantin wasn't out there is beyond me. Shrewsberry, Davis, and Njie should be better rebounders than they are. When Burton is getting full minutes, he rivals them in rebounding average, which is inexcusable. My fear is that Burton will transfer so that he can play for a Final Four team. There would be coaches lined up around Purcell waiting to woo him. The team needs to go on a big run with him back.
Replies to: The passiveness and weak defense in the first half was especially disappointing.
I like coach Shrews but
I really thought we'd see tougher defense and an upgrade on physical (ESPN word=physicality) play from the later Mike Brey teams. That simply has not happened.
I'll give him time, but the jury is out...
Precisely
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