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- Jan 28, 2015
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Yeah honestly - my takeaway is that Vital just needs to have a shorter leash at this point. Stuff like last night can't happen. Context and all, I get it - but he's the senior player on the team and that's just not acceptable on any level. Gilbert at least distributed (he shot terribly) and there's an element of organization to the offense when he's on the court that doesn't exist when he's not on it. But I can't say that for CV.
I will say though - for people complaining about minutes, etc.. there's a coaching element to this. Vital - playing issues aside - is a big part of the team's leadership structure and it's hard to just bench a guy initially - who's been through what he's been through at the program and frankly - is the only guy in his spot with a proven track record. Sure, Bouknight is going to take over probably a lot sooner than later for him; but as a coach you sometimes have to give players enough rope to hang themselves with and play themselves to the bench. In a way - we're seeing that with Vital. You gotta remember, we're playing a long game here - and a developmental one and there's gotta be an element of justification to play the unproven freshman who's gotten himself in a little off the court trouble over the senior who stuck out the coaching change, has done mostly all of what's been asked of him but is a clearly flawed player.... it's about sending messages and building culture. So I get that. But at this point I think Vital has kind of played himself into more of a supporting role.
I'm not making excuses for Hurley, here; but this is what i'm kind of noticing. But I think that transition is about due to start happening as we roll into conference season. We've got a few softies to play in the next few weeks which is good, because I think it'll help bring that rotation into a little bit clearer focus, but i'd be more of an advocate for Vital heading to the bench at this point to give Bouknight a chance. We're sorta there.
I will say though - for people complaining about minutes, etc.. there's a coaching element to this. Vital - playing issues aside - is a big part of the team's leadership structure and it's hard to just bench a guy initially - who's been through what he's been through at the program and frankly - is the only guy in his spot with a proven track record. Sure, Bouknight is going to take over probably a lot sooner than later for him; but as a coach you sometimes have to give players enough rope to hang themselves with and play themselves to the bench. In a way - we're seeing that with Vital. You gotta remember, we're playing a long game here - and a developmental one and there's gotta be an element of justification to play the unproven freshman who's gotten himself in a little off the court trouble over the senior who stuck out the coaching change, has done mostly all of what's been asked of him but is a clearly flawed player.... it's about sending messages and building culture. So I get that. But at this point I think Vital has kind of played himself into more of a supporting role.
I'm not making excuses for Hurley, here; but this is what i'm kind of noticing. But I think that transition is about due to start happening as we roll into conference season. We've got a few softies to play in the next few weeks which is good, because I think it'll help bring that rotation into a little bit clearer focus, but i'd be more of an advocate for Vital heading to the bench at this point to give Bouknight a chance. We're sorta there.
