Angel

[Consigliere]

I don't expect a performance like last night going forward. With that said, I feel the only way we can make the tourney is dependent on him. Last night was the first night since Duke where Angel hit 4+ FGs. Just need some consistency.

Dribble, pass and drive. Get to the line and hit FTs.

12 Points, 5 Assists and 3-4 Rebounds, that is what we need.

 

[RaiseCane]

I agree, and I think it's how he gets those points that is probably even more important. What's killed us in the rough stretch we're in isn't just that he isn't scoring, but that he was still shooting it 10+ times a game, frequently from 3 point range, frequently forced in some way (out of rhythm, shot clock running down, etc.), and often making decisions that were harmful to the team. Deciding to shoot the deep 3 even though McClellan had made a couple shots in a row, or driving into a packed lane and trying to force a shot or pass, or making lazy passes, all of those things have made his low scoring outputs more harmful.

Reed, McClellan and Jekiri have all really stepped up their offensive games recently, and many of the games we've lost have been by a couple points and when Angel has been a disaster. If we continue to get that production from those guys, we don't need the output of last night or against Duke from Angel, we just need him to not be a detriment to the team.

 

[Consigliere]

A win over the Tar Heels certainly would help, as would another solid performance from Angel Rodriguez. The senior guard hit 8 of 14 from the field and finished with 25 points against the Seminoles after averaging 8.2 while shooting 21.4 percent over his previous 11.

Coach Jim Larranaga finally was able to convince Rodriguez to speak with Dr. Bob Rotella, and old friend of Larranaga's who has helped many other athletes with personal struggles.

"I didn't give up on myself. I had a great conversation with a new friend I just met," Rodriguez said. "Coaches told me that even though I was going through a tough time, they weren't going to quit on me."

Rodriguez's teammates know it would be a matter of time before he figured things out.
"He's the leader of this team," said Davon Reed, who finished with 18 points. "When we see him knocking down shots and creating for other people, we feed off that."