Blog with Bryan Smithson

Its been tough trying to get to the computer to update the blog but I have finally found time here while I watch the NBA All Star game.  The title of this entry couldn't be more perfect when I take a look back at the last week and a half.  The tough times started when we traveled to Liberty and I carried with me a nagging planter fascia.  A couple minutes into the first half I rolled my ankle and had to come out of the game.  I went back in but it was just too much pressure and I pretty much hobbled around and was very ineffective.  Kenny didn't play that game so with both of us out we have had to count on teammates to pick up the slack in different places.  I missed the game we played at High Point and Kenny played the first 3 minutes and sat the rest.  We played them tough but just made too many mistakes down the stretch and were unable to escape with a win.  Since then I have been in the training room everyday all day trying to gather my strength back and get as close to 100% as possible. 

VMI came to Asheville on Saturday and the trainer, coaches, and I made a gametime decision to go ahead and play the game.  It took me entirely too long to get into the flow of the game and VMI played well. Our defense was easily penetrated and we were not helping each other as we have in the past.  Offensively we were stale and being very passive which is playing into the hands of VMI.  If you are aggressive you can get any shot that you want at any time ( I mean, they are the leading scorers in the nation, as well as last in points given up).  This loss was very disappointing, especially because it was in front of our home crowd, who might I add, was awesome.  Our fans have proven to be some of the best that I have ever been involved with. Thanks!

So this is where we are at- 18-7, 7-3.  3 game losing streak.  Nagging injuries.  Haters coming back around to tell our fans "I told you so".  With all this, I guess the question is what next????  First of all, it is not rocket science why we have won so many games.  We are a good team, we have a good bunch of guys, dedicated staff, and one of the best and most experienced backcourts in the league.  We have gotten a bit off track but we are well aware of it.  All the things that have gotten us these 3 losses in the last week are"fixable".  The only way to fix things is with practice and that is where we will start.  I am very excited to see how our team will respond in the next couple games because tough people and tough teams always rise to the occasion.!

Posted by bryan at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Playing Winthrop this past Saturday was the most anticipated game in the Big South in a couple years.  Also, it was labeled in the Asheville Citizen Times as possibly the biggest game in the history of the Justice Center.  I don't know about all that but I do know that there was a buzz in previous days leading to the game.  Students and fans filled the Justice to capacity and from what I understand it was the best turnout for a basketball game in the history of UNCA.  The atmosphere was great and as a player, motivation was not hard to find.

Before I talk about the game I wanted to first recognize someone that goes a ways back with me, he was a role model both on and off the basketball court in our home of Cobb County, GA, and started to really make some noise in Rock Hill, SC before he was rudely interrupted.  Deandre Adams #24.   This is my 3rd year at UNCA, 2nd year playing and each and every year that we have played Winthrop, the first thing I do is go greet Dre at halfcourt and show him some love.  It wasn't the same this year with him missing and seeing all the Winthrop players wearing his number on their jerseys.  It makes you think a lot deeper than basketball and what life is really about.  I just wanted to make sure that everybody knows that not only is Dre missed in Rock Hill, SC or Smyrna, GA but he has a spot here in Asheville as well.  RIP Dre. 

As for the game- all through the first half it was neck and neck as we traded baskets.  The biggest lead anybody had was 8 and Winthrop held the advantage.  I hit a pair of threes and a lay- up and KJ was finding success driving baseline and laying the ball up.  We went in at halftime trailing 33-27 after not playing our best basketball.  At halftime we talked about a few things to improve on the defensive end and we also talked about pushing tempo.  Kenny George sat this game out, which allowed us to play a bit faster than we usually do.  I'm not sure how much Winthrop prepared for a "Kenny George" type game, but if they did it might have haunted them a bit considering he never checked into the game.  The second half was totally different than the first as we pushed tempo and really turned up the pressure on defense.  We held Winthrop without a field goal until around the 12 minute mark.  KJ caught fire and devestated Winthrop with a 9-11 shooting night.  Everybody else played extremely well and within themselves.  I finished with 14 and 5assts and a season high 5 steals.  The final score was 71-54 in our favor. 

I am very proud of our team for a number of reasons.  The first being that we played without Kenny George and everybody picked up the slack in different places.  The second is the way we handled ourselves after the win.  Although it was a big win for the program, it was only 1 win in a 14 game conference schedule.  Our team felt good after the win but our focus immediately went to Liberty, which is going to be a tough road game on Saturday.  Every game gets tougher the second time around and we have to be even more focused on specific gameplan.  We definitely want the Conference tournament to be at the Justice Center.  Our fans are UNBELIEVABLE and we can't imagine playing in the tournament without them.

18-4 overall 7-0 in conference.  #12 in the Mid Major Poll.  We just recieved 1 vote for the AP's top 25.  This is the first in the history of the school.  All these things are great and you can't help but to pay attention to them, however, its important for us as a team to focus on the task at hand and leave the celebration to the fans.  ITS GREAT TO BE A BULLDOG

***BE SURE TO FIND THE NEW LINK "GUESTBOOK" AND SIGN IT *** ALSO IF YOU HAVEN'T REGISTERED TO WRITE ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS PLEASE DO SO, SO THAT BULLDOG FANS HAVE SOMEWHERE TO TALK ABOUT GAMES, PLAYER UPDATES, CONFERENCE UPDATES, ETC.

Posted by bryan at 08:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)