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Brandon Randolph

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RoseHeel

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Apr 11, 2014
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Now at a 75% chance to UNC according to 24/7.

Any of the insiders on this board heard anything about him? Huge uptick since July when Louisville was considered the major favorite.

Would be a huge get in this class if we can land him.
 
RoseHeel said:
Now at a 75% chance to UNC according to 24/7.

Any of the insiders on this board heard anything about him? Huge uptick since July when Louisville was considered the major favorite.

Would be a huge get in this class if we can land him.
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I think we have been in pretty good shape for a while. Ironically I haven't heard a whole lot lately. So I'm hoping we can take OP as good news...
 
Just my opinion, but based on some of our posters thoughts who follow recruiting, perhaps staff have been impressing upon Brandon that he has a nice opportunity in Chapel Hill.
 
Spacegrass said:
Watching him play reminds me of Reggie Bullock at similar stage.
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REALLY? I am not disagreeing because I have not seen enough of him to disagree. Just asking what Reggie traits you see, other than his shooting. I was thinking more along the lines of Jawad, I would LOVE it if he is more Reggie than Jawad like. Reggie was a very good defender, handled the ball pretty well for a wing, especially a college wing, and could get his shot off accurately and quickly. More of a compliment to Reggie than a dig at jawad.
 
Maybe a slightly taller Leslie McDonald? He looks like he's got a skinnier frame than Bullock did. More shooting than slashing too. Idk though. I've only watched a few highlight videos. Regardless, the kid would be a GREAT add. He could play SF for Roy right?
 
Ned Cota said:
Maybe a slightly taller Leslie McDonald? He looks like he's got a skinnier frame than Bullock did. More shooting than slashing too. Idk though. I've only watched a few highlight videos. Regardless, the kid would be a GREAT add. He could play SF for Roy right?
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He is what 6'7" I think, absolutely small forward, he would have to really bulk up a lot from what I have seen to play the 4. I don't see him as a 2 at all and we are loaded with 2s anyway.
 
DSouthr said:
REALLY? I am not disagreeing because I have not seen enough of him to disagree. Just asking what Reggie traits you see, other than his shooting. I was thinking more along the lines of Jawad, I would LOVE it if he is more Reggie than Jawad like. Reggie was a very good defender, handled the ball pretty well for a wing, especially a college wing, and could get his shot off accurately and quickly. More of a compliment to Reggie than a dig at jawad.
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The way he moves without the ball , release on jump shot , size/build.
 
RobJones__ said:
I think that could work. Would need a bit of work to defend bigger (stronger) SF's.

But in Roy's system do you think there's much difference in how a 2 or a 3 is utilized?
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Well considering that Roy has seemed to prefer having his 2 guards much more involved with ball handling, using a lot of 2 Pgs on the floor together. Considering we have seen Roy try a wing at the 2 (JP) and it not work out well...Considering it is very rare we see a combo guard at the wing unless you consider Theo as a combo guard and I don't, yeah, I would say our 2s and 3s are used a good bit differently. Roy more and more tends to move his wings down to the 4 much more than up to the 2, Theo, PJ, Justin at times.

Now of course it depends on the player, what his ability allows him to play but I would be surprised, looking at the numbers of combo guards we have that Roy would be recruiting him as a 2. Especially watching Roy clearly looking for a wing with offers out to Wilkes, Zion (18) as well as Randolph. I am not saying he is not a 2 guard because as I said above, I have not seen enough of him to have a solid feel for exactly what he is. But I asked that and got the reply he was in the Reggie Bullock mold and if that is accurate then I would call him more a wing than a 2.
 
Nice response DSouth. My questions about how Roy uses his 2/3 players was not so much a reflection of what I think but more to incite discussion.

I can see the comparison between Randolph and Bullock but only in the sense of their height with shooting ability. Bullock was physically stronger and I think his broader shoulders and arm length helped him some with that. And defensively he could guard a SF. I'm not convinced (at this point) that Randolph is as strong and able to defend at the SF spot as Bullock was. Just something about Randolph when you watch him just stands out as a SG (and a good one I might add). With the trend of classifying prospects into several type of "hybrid" positions, I think this is a case where he is what he is. I don't see him sliding over and running the point nor sliding into the SF spot. For me, he just seems clearly and easily identified as a shooting guard.

Also, is looking at the current offers really a good indication of what Roy is targeting right now? If I'm not mistaken he has multiple offers out to pretty much every position so I'm not sure I would say he's looking for wings more than anything else.
 
I'm from NY and have seen Randolph play about 5-6 times.

As Rob said, he's much more of a scoring wing than Reggie. Reggie was a 3 who could play stretch 4, Randolph is a 2 who can play some 3.

I see a lot of Joe Forte in his game, and Randolph I think is a few inches bigger.
 
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RobJones__ said:
Nice response DSouth. My questions about how Roy uses his 2/3 players was not so much a reflection of what I think but more to incite discussion.

I can see the comparison between Randolph and Bullock but only in the sense of their height with shooting ability. Bullock was physically stronger and I think his broader shoulders and arm length helped him some with that. And defensively he could guard a SF. I'm not convinced (at this point) that Randolph is as strong and able to defend at the SF spot as Bullock was. Just something about Randolph when you watch him just stands out as a SG (and a good one I might add). With the trend of classifying prospects into several type of "hybrid" positions, I think this is a case where he is what he is. I don't see him sliding over and running the point nor sliding into the SF spot. For me, he just seems clearly and easily identified as a shooting guard.

Also, is looking at the current offers really a good indication of what Roy is targeting right now? If I'm not mistaken he has multiple offers out to pretty much every position so I'm not sure I would say he's looking for wings more than anything else.
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Rob, ya have to look at the combo's we not only have that are expected to be here if we were to get Randolph as a freshman but as well the ones we have committed and on the way. For clarity, when I say combo I am meaning that IMO they are more 2s than points. But check me, Kenny Williams, 7th Woods, Brandon Robinson, PLatek, Jalek Felton, Cobey White, and who knows what position leaky Black will play but it is not likely to be the point at 6'7" right now and expecting a growth spurt.

Let me cloud it up even further, can Randolph guard COLLEGE 2 guards, he would be hard to shoot over for sure but can he hang with the foot speed and quickness of college 2s, can he ball handle as good as college 2s that now days has a lot of former PGs in high school as 2s in college? Would it not be easier for a 6'7" kid to guard a wing than a 2 in college and easier for that same kid to bulk up and add more strength than it would be for him to guard or ball handle like a college 2?

Rob, keep in mind, I am not saying you are wrong at all, I fess up to not being ready to label a position for this kid right now because I have not seen him enough. But you can understand my confusion when it comes to kid that long. Is he a sweet shooting wing or a long 2 and I am reading traits of both. But I do know it is easier for a kid to add strength in a college programs strength program than it is for a long kid to have 2 guard speed and quickness and ball handling. For the record I have a similar question about Brandon Robinson, who I think he is more a sweet shooting wing than a 2 but he really has to add strength, Justin Jackson needs to as well and he is never going to be confused with being a college 2 guard.
 
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This is a great discussion. I think wings in Roy's system are much more loosely defined than 2 guards are. A wing can be that sweet shooter you're talking about DSouthr (Jackson, Green). He can also be a lanky slashing type (Tokoto, Terry, Pinson). He can be a tougher guy who can play some 4 (Bullock, Noel, Barnes). So many of those guys could be categorized differently, but you get the idea.

Now a 2 has to be able to handle the ball. Its awesome when our 2 guards can drain it, but Roy definitely wants them to be able to help out the PG and facilitate the offense. A lot of these combo guards Roy has recruited are wannabe PG's, or guys who are better pure scorers than facilitators, but they can all handle the ball.

Along with needing the strength to defend SF's, I think ballhandling ability is the biggest differentiator between 2 and wings in Roy's system. Roy's 2 PG offenses go way back to his KU days...think Jacque Vaughn/Jerod Haase/Ryan Robertson.
 
Regardless of how many projected SG's UNC has in fold, it hasn't stopped Roy from going after more. So to me, that doesn't play much into things with Randolph. Roy has a few years experience on me when it comes to watching prospects and fitting them in so I won't pretend to have a better idea than he does. He may see an eventual 3 in Randolph. I just can't get on board with that based only off what I've seen.

I would say a role similar to that of Ellington for Randolph is a better comp for me. **I'm not comparing his games to Ellington, only the type of role I see him in.**. I'm simply saying in the sense that you knew what Ellington was. He wasn't asked to slide over to the 1 or the 3 consistently. That's just what I see with Randolph
 
RobJones__ said:
Regardless of how many projected SG's UNC has in fold, it hasn't stopped Roy from going after more. So to me, that doesn't play much into things with Randolph. Roy has a few years experience on me when it comes to watching prospects and fitting them in so I won't pretend to have a better idea than he does. He may see an eventual 3 in Randolph. I just can't get on board with that based only off what I've seen.

I would say a role similar to that of Ellington for Randolph is a better comp for me. **I'm not comparing his games to Ellington, only the type of role I see him in.**. I'm simply saying in the sense that you knew what Ellington was. He wasn't asked to slide over to the 1 or the 3 consistently. That's just what I see with Randolph
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Like LMac?
 
Ned Cota said:
Like LMac?
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As far as roles are concerned I would say that yes, similar to McDonald in the fact that you saw him primarily at the 2. As far as contributions I think Randolph has a higher ceiling than McDonald and fans should expect more results from Randolph.
 
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RobJones__ said:
I think that could work. Would need a bit of work to defend bigger (stronger) SF's.

But in Roy's system do you think there's much difference in how a 2 or a 3 is utilized?
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In the normal scheme of things they are interchangeable as far as Secondary Break and continuities off of that are concerned, which constitutes the majority of our Man offense. The most noticeable difference comes in Zone-O where the 3 will often rotate to the foul line down to the "short corners" on the baseline. The more subtle differences vs Man come in set plays, and the fact that the 2 is considered the secondary ball-handler and also has floor-balance responsibilities when the 1 penetrates or cuts to the paint once we get past the Secondary into the Passing Game (although the 3 even has to be aware for some of that).

The rest is about whom he's guarding.
 
Most coaches will define your position by who you can guard, not how you play offensively. With that said, Randolph right now is a 2.
 
Only thing I would question on if he is 2 or a 3 is.... Ability to create your own shot off the dribble. The thing that pigeon holed Reggie into being more of a 3 man was he wasn't great at creating off the dribble.
 
Randolph looks more athletic to me than Reggie did at the same stage. I see Randolph being better at creating his own shot than Reggie was.
 
dadika13 said:
He's not Reggie, his game is very different, even pre injury.
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Shooting stroke is quick and compact like Reggie and he defends like Reggie. Taking guys off the dribble in HS is one thing.... Let's see if he can take guys off the dribble consistently in college. It's the one thing he could do that Reggie couldn't
 
Re-read thru this thread guys, I am more confused now than I was when I pondered if Randolph was a wing or a 2? About the only thing I know for sure from this is that I love the Strong Man pose from JB3! LOL

But one statement, above al others on this question sticks out to me and I ask that be explained and maybe discussed more, "he defends like Reggie". For me, if true, is a difference maker.
 
DSouthr said:
Re-read thru this thread guys, I am more confused now than I was when I pondered if Randolph was a wing or a 2? About the only thing I know for sure from this is that I love the Strong Man pose from JB3! LOL

But one statement, above al others on this question sticks out to me and I ask that be explained and maybe discussed more, "he defends like Reggie". For me, if true, is a difference maker.
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Good amount of video of him on the interweb. Watch how he moves , angles , footwork , and doesn't seem to back down. Offensively and defensively. He has a tad more bounce off the floor. Also looks to have longer arms than Reggie had. The biggest thing that will be interesting to see is how he works into a team defensive concept. I have seen excellent on the ball 1 v 1 defenders not work as well in a team defensive concept. But that is typically something that comes with experience and playing with guys long enough to develop a group defensive chemistry.

I never expect too much from frosh unless they are just physically superior for their age. But by the time he is a soph he will be a nice player most likely , wherever he goes.

I would think the kid can develop and play either the 2 or 3 at a high level. The game has trended to versatility defensively and shooting to space the court. He looks to have very good natural tools at both of those things.

Edit: doing some quick research Brandon Randolph was 6'4.5" with shoes 168 lbs and a 6'7" wingspan at the 2016 Nike Basketball Academy. That is smaller than he is being sold as by some. If that is true? I would say he is relegated to being a SG especially going forward long term. Unless he hits another growth spurt.
 
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Spacegrass said:
Good amount of video of him on the interweb. Watch how he moves , angles , footwork , and doesn't seem to back down. Offensively and defensively. He has a tad more bounce off the floor. Also looks to have longer arms than Reggie had. The biggest thing that will be interesting to see is how he works into a team defensive concept. I have seen excellent on the ball 1 v 1 defenders not work as well in a team defensive concept. But that is typically something that comes with experience and playing with guys long enough to develop a group defensive chemistry.

I never expect too much from frosh unless they are just physically superior for their age. But by the time he is a soph he will be a nice player most likely , wherever he goes.

I would think the kid can develop and play either the 2 or 3 at a high level. The game has trended to versatility defensively and shooting to space the court. He looks to have very good natural tools at both of those things.

Edit: doing some quick research Brandon Randolph was 6'4.5" with shoes 168 lbs and a 6'7" wingspan at the 2016 Nike Basketball Academy. That is smaller than he is being sold as by some. If that is true? I would say he is relegated to being a SG especially going forward long term. Unless he hits another growth spurt.
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Yes it is spacey, that is more Ellington like length and I did think he was longer, that does not exactly thrill me...
 
Randolph may become another Steph Curry at Davidson..size is one thing but heart and development..basketball players..stereotypes/limitations-...years ago even Jud heathcoth of Michigan St--Magic Johnson did not allow him full control of the offense as point but as the season progressed TALENT was too much to ignore
 
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I watched a couple long clips of him this morning, now I don't see anything close to Seth Curry, did see maybe some Wayne Ellington. From what I saw can't say I saw a wing like Reggie and my concern is we already have a LOT of combo 2 guards, geez we have 2 already committed from this class?

Unless Roy has devised a brand new scheme that uses 5 shooting guards on the floor at the same time, then I struggle to understand bringing Randolph in. Kenny (soph), Brob & 7th (freshmen), Jalek & Platek (committed from class of 17) = 5 combo guards, 5 out of 3 scholarships, more than 1/3rd of your scholarships for 1 position? And we are looking to bring in another in Randolph??? Scratchin my head...
 
DSouthr said:
I watched a couple long clips of him this morning, now I don't see anything close to Seth Curry, did see maybe some Wayne Ellington. From what I saw can't say I saw a wing like Reggie and my concern is we already have a LOT of combo 2 guards, geez we have 2 already committed from this class?

Unless Roy has devised a brand new scheme that uses 5 shooting guards on the floor at the same time, then I struggle to understand bringing Randolph in. Kenny (soph), Brob & 7th (freshmen), Jalek & Platek (committed from class of 17) = 5 combo guards, 5 out of 3 scholarships, more than 1/3rd of your scholarships for 1 position? And we are looking to bring in another in Randolph??? Scratchin my head...
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Felton is a PG. (0)
Platek is a situational 3pt specialist, but yes a pure SG. (1)
BRob will get half his time at the 3. (0.5)
7th will get half his time at PG. (0.5)
Kenny is a SG. (1)

That's the equivalent of 3 SG's between these 5 players, and in a system that is increasingly playing smallball with a wing at the 4 or 2 PGs or both. I'd say we're fine. I'll take another guy like Randolph in a heartbeat.
 
Ned Cota said:
Felton is a PG. (0)
Platek is a situational 3pt specialist, but yes a pure SG. (1)
BRob will get half his time at the 3. (0.5)
7th will get half his time at PG. (0.5)
Kenny is a SG. (1)

That's the equivalent of 3 SG's between these 5 players, and in a system that is increasingly playing smallball with a wing at the 4 or 2 PGs or both. I'd say we're fine. I'll take another guy like Randolph in a heartbeat.
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Kinda depends on what Joel berry does, if Joel plays for us as a senior jalek wilol get some PG back up time but most of his time IMO would be at the 2. Brob, again, what does Justin do, I think Justin will enter the next draft but that is not fact, we already have Theo. And we have an offer out to Zion and if we were to get Zion (and I REALLY WANT HIM) then does he play the 3 or the 4, I would suggest some of both but *I like him as a powerful and athletic 3, how does that effect BRob at the 3 and we already have Shea Rush who is pretty much all 3. I do not see Platek getting a lot of PT as a freshman, I don't see how the numbers can allow him to get much time.

Look, had we got Randolph as a freshman last season, I would have loved it but we did not have the numbers of 2s going in to last season that we have after next season and we had more front court guys going in to last season, we are desperately low on front court help after Hicks and Meeks leave and this class has to address that...More so than adding another 2 guard.

Now lets say that Joel comes back for his senior season (what I personally expect at this point) then how much does 7th play at the point with Joel Berry? Jalek is the level of player that is going to get solid PT and do not be shocked if he is one & done just not sure he can get the PT he would need to actually be one & done but some of that will come at the 2 if Joel plays as a senior and same for 7th. And that point may even be moot if Kenny shoots treys around a 38-39% clip and can put up 12-14ppgs next season (around what I actually do think we will see).
 
DSouthr said:
Kinda depends on what Joel berry does, if Joel plays for us as a senior jalek wilol get some PG back up time but most of his time IMO would be at the 2. Brob, again, what does Justin do, I think Justin will enter the next draft but that is not fact, we already have Theo. And we have an offer out to Zion and if we were to get Zion (and I REALLY WANT HIM) then does he play the 3 or the 4, I would suggest some of both but *I like him as a powerful and athletic 3, how does that effect BRob at the 3 and we already have Shea Rush who is pretty much all 3. I do not see Platek getting a lot of PT as a freshman, I don't see how the numbers can allow him to get much time.

Look, had we got Randolph as a freshman last season, I would have loved it but we did not have the numbers of 2s going in to last season that we have after next season and we had more front court guys going in to last season, we are desperately low on front court help after Hicks and Meeks leave and this class has to address that...More so than adding another 2 guard.

Now lets say that Joel comes back for his senior season (what I personally expect at this point) then how much does 7th play at the point with Joel Berry? Jalek is the level of player that is going to get solid PT and do not be shocked if he is one & done just not sure he can get the PT he would need to actually be one & done but some of that will come at the 2 if Joel plays as a senior and same for 7th. And that point may even be moot if Kenny shoots treys around a 38-39% clip and can put up 12-14ppgs next season (around what I actually do think we will see).
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I don't disagree with any of that. Obviously we need a big more than we need another guard, but I don't think that should preclude us from grabbing another scorer regardless of position. And yes, ZION ZION ZION.
 
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