Bret Strelow of the Fayetteville Observer examines Bobby Lutz's role as head scout:
Possession after possession, Wolfpack assistant Bobby Lutz called out Wake Forest's plays, pointing to spots on the court where the Demon Deacons intended to go and yelling instructions for how to defend them.
N.C. State dismantled the Deacs that afternoon, a testament to the value of scouting. It's a labor of love for Lutz, whose knack for breaking down an opponent's strengths and weaknesses has endured through technological advances that dramatically change the way it's accomplished.
When we've played in morgues like the one in Winston-Salem, you've probably noticed some guy shouting like crazy during every defensive possession; that's Lutz. I can't always tell what he's saying, but I imagine it's something along the lines of, "don't worry--though we may break down, it's not because we don't know what we're doing." And what a relief that is.
Attempting to even the playing field through thorough scouting is one of the most compelling challenges of Lutz's job.
"I love it," he said. "It's part of why I got into this, to teach and coach. It's all part of game prep, and it's fun to really be able to concentrate on that."
I love it too, coach. Can I join the staff? I'll do it for free. You can even condescend toward me in public and privately agree with one to several of my conclusions.