Carolina over exceeded this season and there is no doubt about that

[IDUNK4HEELS]

I really do not like to post after a loss until I have a day to calm down and reflect on what happened and why it happened so that I can write on a realistic manner and not one of mostly emotion. Saying that when I look back on a 29 win season and sweet 16 appearance I can honestly say UNC over exceeded my expectations for the season.

Think about what happened last season when a ton of players left and others graduated leaving the cupboard pretty bare. Also 4 transfers had to come on and make the transition to a new program and a tremendous high school point guard had to try and run a blue blood program. Also the fan base showed no mercy after an uncharacteristic Caroljna type season so nobody and I mean nobody had any idea of what to expect.

For anyone to say they knew all along with all of these changes that UNC would be a 29 game winner they are lying to themselves and to anyone who has followed Carolina over the past year.

Coach Davis and his staff did a tremendous job in molding this team and getting them as far as they got and no one can disagree truthfully with that statement either.

Yes it would have been nice to have gone a little further but this season was a big time success and I for one was glad to be along for the ride..

 

[Canadian_Heel]

I thought this was a final four team after watching Ingram and Ryan come in fairly seamlessly. I don’t and didn’t think we had a shot against UConn. There is zero excuse for losing to Alabama with Cadeau and Seth watching. Hubert overthought it and it wound up costing the game IMO.

 

[sctarheel30]

Agree no excuse to lose to bama. I was very much looking forward to the rematch with UConn. Just read Hubert explaining his decision to sit Seth and EC and it kinda makes sense even though I don’t agree with it.

 

[UNCHUSKER]

Sounds good until you see Clemson and North Carolina state go further than us. Sorry but this veteran team should have gone further. Hopefully Hubert stops making ridiculous scholarship offers. Gonna need significant transfers to come in for next year to overcome the weak offers. UNC should be doing way better in high school recruiting.

 

[NathanFielder]

Preseason 19 in the polls IIRC. Preseason 13-16 on analytic sites like KenPom and BartTorvik IIRC. 50/1 to win the National Title in the preseason at some sportsbooks. Preseason third in the ACC? Add that to a roster that has likely no 1st round picks unless Cadeau becomes one.

They met expectations in some ways. Overachieved slightly in others IMO.

I thought it was a somewhat limited roster. Cadeau was probably a disappointment all things considered. He was nowhere near the best freshman in the ACC. And the bench that everyone thought was going to be a huge difference consisted of 3.5 somewhat limited and very inconsistent players. Although by the end of the season, Trimble and Withers played their roles really well. However, this team didn’t come close to having the punch off the bench that the 2005, 2009, and 2017 teams had.

I thought this was a second weekend team all season. Had to get some breaks to go to the Final Four. Unlike seemingly most here, I feared the Alabama matchup more than anything else on the top side of the bracket. I just don’t like playing teams that maximize the 3PT shot like they do.

A quality, fun season. Hopefully it’s a season that lays the groundwork for some more talented teams in the near future.

While I think it’s fair to question Hubert. I credit him for getting a lot out of RJ Davis. I didn’t think he had first team AA in his future when he was a freshman. Harrison Ingram had by far his most efficient season. And we won a lot of games despite very inconsistent PG play. So while his management against Alabama can be questioned. I think all in all, he did a pretty solid job this season. Wish it ended differently though.

 

[KeeLo]

In my opinion, we were going back and forth with bama. They got clutch individual play that capped the difference right to the buzzer. But if there were a few minutes left in the game, I would expect that UNC would've retaken the lead again just like after being down 82-77 with momentum surging bama's way. I was most disappointed in transition D.

 

[gkss]

After last year, it was a good season for us. But this is North Carolina. The expectations are going farther than the sweet 16, and cutting down nets. Coach realizes that. We were up big at the half against Kansas in the natty game and fell apart in the second half. We should not have lost to Alabama the other night after being up 8 at the half. The reality is that we were the better Basketball Team the other night and didn’t get it done. It’s imperative that we build a deep talented team with balance in the portal and freshman. EC is going to have to become a dangerous threat beyond the arc. I love and support the Heels and expectations are very high- and they should be. Winning the regular season is something to build on. Can’t wait to see our roster next year! Go Heels!

 

[Lewis&Miller]

Hubert has installed his own offense. This offense demands a do it all point guard. Huberts teams will always underachieve without this elite position player. RJ was a great shooter but can not control dribble the ball enough to run an offense. Last year proved to Hubert he needed a true dynamic point guard. When Caleb and RJ ran the offense last year it failed. Same thing this year, RJ could only run the point for short periods of time. He was not an effective PG. Cadeau was suppose to be ideal but now needs time to work on his shot. I believe Hubert gets in the portal for a dynamic point guard that can shoot.

 

[Mrs.Jeans15]

Absolutely.

Totally unexpected to be ACC champs and a number one seed.

Great season.

 

[Mrs.Jeans15]

Hubert has installed his own offense. This offense demands a do it all point guard. Huberts teams will always underachieve without this elite position player. RJ was a great shooter but can not control dribble the ball enough to run an offense. Last year proved to Hubert he needed a true dynamic point guard. When Caleb and RJ ran the offense last year it failed. Same thing this year, RJ could only run the point for short periods of time. He was not an effective PG. Cadeau was suppose to be ideal but now needs time to work on his shot. I believe Hubert gets in the portal for a dynamic point guard that can shoot.

No I think they tell Cadeau to work on shooting.

Him not playing hurt us. RJ had too much ball handling responsibility in the 2nd half


We had no extra gear that Cadeau brings to the offense.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I cautiously predicted a Sweet Sixteen appearance early on, but was really hoping for more.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I believe Hubert gets in the portal for a dynamic point guard that can shoot.

To start ahead of Cadeau, or to back him up?

If we bring in another top PG, do we lose anyone?

 

[bleeduncblue]

something is missing with Hubert's /the staffs halftime approach and 2nd half adjustments, in NCAAT pressure situations. severe lack of focus and energy starting the 2nd half with good leads vs Bama this year and Kansas 2 years ago.

and no, this team did not overachieve, IMO. we had talented starters with a million years of experience, quality depth and no major injuries ... it's pitiful that we didnt get past the Sweet 16.

 

[Heelicious]

something is missing with Hubert's /the staffs halftime approach and 2nd half adjustments, in NCAAT pressure situations. severe lack of focus and energy starting the 2nd half with good leads vs Bama this year and Kansas 2 years ago.

and no, this team did not overachieve, IMO. we had talented starters with a million years of experience, quality depth and no major injuries ... it's pitiful that we didnt get past the Sweet 16.

We get ambushed at starts of second halves and let foot off the gas at end of games. In some games it costs us the L - in others we just barely hang on - like both Miami games this year and at least the last game against Duke. None of those games should have come down to a posession or two at the end with the opponent having a chance to win, given the leads we had.

And it’s unfortunately just hard wired in hubs dna - to always be the passive accepter of whatever pace the other team wants to play. I hate that.

At start of second halves especially- other team sets up plays to run against our vanilla half court man to man. They know what they are going to get.

Would it hurt much to throw a wrinkle and press / trap teams more? We have the athletes to do it , and it would confuse what the other team thought they would face on defense.

Maybe I’m not close enough to the area - but I don’t ever hear anyone question hubs on this - his defensive or offensive game strategy. It’s like whatever he decides to do - same thing each game all game. Never change up defense until after game is lost - how dare anyone think of questioning his off-limits strategy genius.

 

[bleeduncblue]

We get ambushed at starts of second halves and let foot off the gas at end of games. In some games it costs us the L - in others we just barely hang on - like both Miami games this year and at least the last game against Duke. None of those games should have come down to a posession or two at the end with the opponent having a chance to win, given the leads we had.

And it’s unfortunately just hard wired in hubs dna - to always be the passive accepter of whatever pace the other team wants to play. I hate that.

At start of second halves especially- other team sets up plays to run against our vanilla half court man to man. They know what they are going to get.

Would it hurt much to throw a wrinkle and press / trap teams more? We have the athletes to do it , and it would confuse what the other team thought they would face on defense.

Maybe I’m not close enough to the area - but I don’t ever hear anyone question hubs on this - his defensive or offensive game strategy. It’s like whatever he decides to do - same thing each game all game. Never change up defense until after game is lost - how dare anyone think of questioning his off-limits strategy genius.

i'm connected with some Rams Club donors and folks who have influence, i'll say this. if the Heels dont get past the Sweet 16 again next year, his seat will be getting warm. sweeping dook is great, but last year + this postseason absolutely sucked.

 

[al would]

nd no, this team did not overachieve, IMO. we had talented starters with a million years of experience, quality depth and no major injuries ... it's pitiful that we didnt get past the Sweet 16.

In no way did this team over achieve in any way. You had a veteran group with a lot of experience and a very talented bench that should have been used more early so they could develop and EC was one of them. In my book if you can win the ACC regular season and make it to the finals of the ACCT when you lay a rotten egg to an inferior Alabama team in the 16 you did not over achieve on any level.UNC (traditionally) has been known for a strong front line with good guard play. You can make your own pick as to who the weakest front court player has been for the last ... fill in the blank .. but there was a time when UNC was expected to win the regular season and make it further than the 16 especially with a veteran team .. regardless of the time they were in CH.

 

[Heelicious]

i'm connected with some Rams Club donors and folks who have influence, i'll say this. if the Heels dont get past the Sweet 16 again next year, his seat will be getting warm. sweeping dook is great, but last year + this postseason absolutely sucked.

This isn’t meant to be mean toward Hubert - he deserves his chances like anyone else - but it’s good to hear this @bleeduncblue - that at some point a reckoning and an assessment comes - because it seems to me that Hubert gets a total pass from local and national media - maybe because of the fluky 22 run, and what the team did this year….

but like you said - and like we see more and more across all teams in the tourney - if you have a ton of experience and good players, you can’t go out 2 rounds (at least) before your seeding says you should. Or go from #1 overall preseason to not sniffing ACC reg season or ACC tourney title OR even making ncaa tourney (last year). Yes there were chemistry issues but you get the big $ to fix it.

Then finding a way to lose biggest halftime lead in history of ncaa finals game. Not a mark you want by your name. Things he has to answer for and do better at - not just shrug and say “that’s the way it goes” - like he did against Alabama too.

For all the time Hubert has spent around some of the GREATEST basketball minds and players in college and pros - as player and coach - it is shocking to me what a basic unchanging simpleton he seems to be, strategically.

 

[Lewis&Miller]

To start ahead of Cadeau, or to back him up?

If we bring in another top PG, do we lose anyone?

Hubert had put together a loaded team thru the portal but needed a pg to run the show. Cadeau shows up and the table has been set. The staff had to bring the team together as a unit and did a great job of it through the season. The team then underachieves in the tourney.

But it is the snapshot in the elimination loss of how that all turned on a dime that is daunting. We go from 59 points in one half to 33 in the second. The picture is Cadeau marooned by a 2nd half defensive adjustment forcing the offensive system to operate 4 against 5. Hubert relegates Cadeau to the bench, out of the game in totality. RJ runs the offense, its last years ineffective system, season over.

I could see Hubert thinking that not bringing in a high level back up point guard as not fulfilling his responsibilities as head coach. RJ is not a pg. So would we play the entire season without a true back up point guard next year after the dramatic snapshot of this season ending loss. It seems like a highly reasonable move.

 

[UNC-75]

Let’s hope EC hasn’t left the Smith Center since last week and is learning how to shoot. Send him some door dash meals and keep him shooting in the gym.

 

[Mrs.Jeans15]

something is missing with Hubert's /the staffs halftime approach and 2nd half adjustments, in NCAAT pressure situations. severe lack of focus and energy starting the 2nd half with good leads vs Bama this year and Kansas 2 years ago.

and no, this team did not overachieve, IMO. we had talented starters with a million years of experience, quality depth and no major injuries ... it's pitiful that we didnt get past the Sweet 16.

But no one that could create their own shot besides RJ.

No one expected the team to come together so fast to put together an ACC Championship season.

That accomplishment raised their expectations.

Yes RJ's play was the difference.

He was great all season. Wrong time to show up. Happens.

 

[strummingram]

ACC regular season champs, sweeping dookies and moo... ACC Coach of the Year, ACC player of the year, acct championship game, sweet 16...


1 year after missing all postseason play. If you can't enjoy that, that's your problem.

 

[NathanFielder]

something is missing with Hubert's /the staffs halftime approach and 2nd half adjustments, in NCAAT pressure situations. severe lack of focus and energy starting the 2nd half with good leads vs Bama this year and Kansas 2 years ago.

and no, this team did not overachieve, IMO. we had talented starters with a million years of experience, quality depth and no major injuries ... it's pitiful that we didnt get past the Sweet 16.

The experience needs more context IMO.

Cadeau and High obviously had 0 NCAA Tournament experience.
RJ - 7 games of experience... 6 of them coming in one tournament.
Ryan - Made the NCAAT once in 4 seasons. Three total games of NCAAT experience.
Ingram - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Bacot - Same with RJ.

Bench:
Trimble - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Washington - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Withers - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Wojcik - Was on the 2020-21 Loyola (IL) team that made S16. He played for like 30 seconds in their S16 loss. He virtually had 0 PT during that tournament

So apart from RJ and Bacot, the others collectively made the tournament twice and played three total games.

We had players that played a lot of college basketball regular season games. Not a lot of guys that often won games in the tournament. And the bench had virtually 0 NCAAT experience.

I also question how talented this team was.

 

[gobblercalls]

The experience needs more context IMO.

Cadeau and High obviously had 0 NCAA Tournament experience.
RJ - 7 games of experience... 6 of them coming in one tournament.
Ryan - Made the NCAAT once in 4 seasons. Three total games of NCAAT experience.
Ingram - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Bacot - Same with RJ.

Bench:
Trimble - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Washington - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Withers - 0 games of NCAAT experience
Wojcik - Was on the 2020-21 Loyola (IL) team that made S16. He played for like 30 seconds in their S16 loss. He virtually had 0 PT during that tournament

So apart from RJ and Bacot, the others collectively made the tournament twice and played three total games.

We had players that played a lot of college basketball regular season games. Not a lot of guys that often won games in the tournament. And the bench had virtually 0 NCAAT experience.

I also question how talented this team was.

How talented or experienced is ncsux?

 

[NathanFielder]

How talented or experienced is ncsux?

Ok? How talented is Texas Tech? How talented is Oakland? They had beaten Duke a week earlier, so that was in play. That was 3/4 of their draw right now.

 

[gobblercalls]

Ok? How talented is Texas Tech? How talented is Oakland? They had beaten Duke a week earlier, so that was in play. That was 3/4 of their draw right now.

They're still playing, we're not. They beat a 2 seed. Why would you omit Marquette?

 

[NathanFielder]

They're still playing, we're not. They beat a 2 seed. Why would you omit Marquette?

NC State also has some decent experience.

DJ Horn had 2 games of NCAAT experience.
Casey Morsell had 2 games of NCAAT experience.
Mohamed Diarra had 2 games of NCAAT experience.

So they have 3 players with NCAAT experience. We had 3.

I omitted Marquette because 3 of NC State's other opponents were either not all that talented or teams they beat already this year.

 

[DSouthr]

Interesting takes, I said before pre-season, I felt we had a team that would make it to the elite 8, they didn't. I felt was either first or second in the ACC, we were first. I am still pissed at how we played that game against bama. I felt empty inside at the end of that game, it is hard for me to feel we met expectations after that. Truth is this team had absolutely no reason to lose to GT, Cuse, or the other weak sister team in the ACC regular season but al teams get snuck up on. To lose to state in the ACCT title game was under achievement as was losing to bama.

I am not as forgiving as some per this thread because we brought in thru the portal guys that fit us really well and we off loaded some that didn't I loved the COLLEGE game talent this team had. Yeah, as for Cadeau, I was not nearly as high on him as some others but yeah, I expected more because that talent is freakish, should have known better frankly. I know better than to trust a re-class freshman, especially one starting at the most key position on the court. I felt Ryan would jump shoot more consistently, I did NOT expect him to be as good a defender as he was, I feel like he met expectations slightly but in a way I didn't see coming. RJ was better than expected, Bacot was maybe a touch under my expectations, Ingram exceeded my expectations and I had solid expects for him. Seth met my expectations and I think will continue to do so but he needs to jump shoot more confidently to meet them again.

Takes me to JWit and JWash, Jwit first, he started getting close to my expects after a really poor start. His decision making on the whole was well below my expects, his ball handles were as well. But he as well stepped up in some later season games, so he seemed headed in the right direction by not forcing as much and letting the game come more to him but then he takes one of the worst shots imaginable in the biggest game of the season? IN all JWit was well below what I expected simply due to his decision making. JWash, he went well over my expectations in how he worked on his body last off season, give me another off season of that please! He showed that jumper more but I was VERY disappointed that he didn't look for that more, we could have used that. His defense, yeah needs work but he was about what I expected on that front thou I did think he would be more of a off side shot blocker, I think his defense will improve noticeably next season. Have to say he under achieved my expects.

Then there is Hubert, I am still pissed about that bama game Hubs. Hubert's team went from the ashes not making the NCAAT to winning the ACC out right being a #1 seed in the NCAAT , and winning 29 games with a bar of expectation set really low after the season before and ended up ACC COY and deserved it. So I can not consider him as under achieving this season but I still struggle with many of his decisions, he still feels under prepared for a UNC head basketball coach, like he is still learning on the job and that really concerns me.

Did this team over or under achieve my expects, slightly over due to the season before but did not make my expectations of what UNC basketball should achieve. The final 4 should be UNC expectations every season and we did not make it past the sweet 16.

 

[montana_heel]

I agree with you Dsouthr on every point except the Bama game. That is not on coach Davis in my opinion. If RJ goes just 1 for 9, we win and people are applauding his second half sub patterns.

I did struggle with not having Cadeau out there even if I wouldn't drink the kool-aid about him from some posters but the fact is he is a point guard and the only true one we had. I don't know how it would have worked. His time defensively in the 2nd half was less than poor. Next year he could be filthy with a shot. That doesn't help us this year. Frankly, I'm amazed he didn't see more of the Bama philosophy sooner.

I would have liked to see more of Trimble as well. I couldn't watch that game again so I admit that I could have missed something that coach Davis saw that wasn't going to work in that 2nd half. Withers was pretty effective until about 1 minute to go.

Just a bad night for RJ to have such a rough shooting night. I was frustrated that we had a few possessions where the ball stuck up top with absolutely no movement. Those are empty possessions in my opinion. Just move the ball side to side and it can get back to whoever you want towards the end of the shot clock. That is where Cadeau's big fans have a point but you can't have his guy on the block clogging stuff up due to inability to be a shooting threat and not a positive defensively in that game.

I too have a blind spot for JWash. I really viewed him as a freshman this year with all of his issues and would have liked to seen more time carved out for him during the season to get him experience and confidence. Have to admit though that we only saw flashes of what he could bring and he wasn't quite consistent enough. I do expect a big jump from him with added muscle and another summer of work. I'm in the minority that he can play the 4 and 5 position next year

 

[NathanFielder]

Expectations are also weird. If I told you before the season started, the following would be the case.

- Elliot Cadeau isn't particularly close to winning ACC Rookie of the Year, has an extremely up-and-down season, and shoots less than 20% from 3.
- Our leading bench scorer averages 5.2 points per game

Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think anyone expects a Final Four run under those 2 scenarios. Those 2 things (Cadeau and the bench) were the 2 biggest talking points going into the season. I'll be honest... For me, I probably would've predicted either a 1st round exit or being on the bubble.

I can't imagine the UNC coaching staff going after Withers if they knew he would be a 4.2 PPG. He ended up filling a role really well and credit to him for that. But he was an X-factor because he had a really good shooting season at Louisville last year. So hopefully that translates over to playing with better talent. In reality, he wasn't all that effective this year. This team needed one player who could score off the bench badly. They never really got that other than the occasional Withers or Trimble 12-point game.

Need some scoring punch off the bench going forward. Also, whether it's Washington or another big... Need a big that can play against any team. Washington was a liability defensively against several teams. I understand his physical issues in the past but if this is about winning championships, either he or someone else needs to be an upgrade where they can play against any matchup.

 

[berens007]

For me, I would say overachieved in the regular season vs. almost any expectation, 'achieved' in the postseason based on preseason expectations, but underachieved in postseason based on performance to date.

Consistency within games and game to game seemed to be our Achilles heel (no pun intended) this year, and that is the type of thing that can make us prone to an upset in the tourney against a good team. That will leave a bad taste, but a lot to like about the year and certainly plenty to like about the guys on the squad. I'll miss the ones who are leaving.

 

[DSouthr]

I agree with you Dsouthr on every point except the Bama game. That is not on coach Davis in my opinion. If RJ goes just 1 for 9, we win and people are applauding his second half sub patterns.

I did struggle with not having Cadeau out there even if I wouldn't drink the kool-aid about him from some posters but the fact is he is a point guard and the only true one we had. I don't know how it would have worked. His time defensively in the 2nd half was less than poor. Next year he could be filthy with a shot. That doesn't help us this year. Frankly, I'm amazed he didn't see more of the Bama philosophy sooner.

I would have liked to see more of Trimble as well. I couldn't watch that game again so I admit that I could have missed something that coach Davis saw that wasn't going to work in that 2nd half. Withers was pretty effective until about 1 minute to go.

Just a bad night for RJ to have such a rough shooting night. I was frustrated that we had a few possessions where the ball stuck up top with absolutely no movement. Those are empty possessions in my opinion. Just move the ball side to side and it can get back to whoever you want towards the end of the shot clock. That is where Cadeau's big fans have a point but you can't have his guy on the block clogging stuff up due to inability to be a shooting threat and not a positive defensively in that game.

I too have a blind spot for JWash. I really viewed him as a freshman this year with all of his issues and would have liked to seen more time carved out for him during the season to get him experience and confidence. Have to admit though that we only saw flashes of what he could bring and he wasn't quite consistent enough. I do expect a big jump from him with added muscle and another summer of work. I'm in the minority that he can play the 4 and 5 position next year

OFFENSIVELY I see Jalen actually more as a stretch 4 than a 5, IF I say IF he stays at the 5 we have to be smart enough to realize, we can NOT use him the same way we used Bacot if we do it will be no better than trying to turn Pete Nance in to Brady Manek.

You know I have been preaching all season about Jalen's jump shot right? Against bama, when Jalen was in I would have pulled him outside the paint, 1 of 2 things would have happened. Either his defending big man would have had to follow him out, leaving more driving room thru the paint or his defender would have not gone with him giving Jalen a wide open jumper every time.

 

[bleeduncblue]

This isn’t meant to be mean toward Hubert - he deserves his chances like anyone else - but it’s good to hear this @bleeduncblue - that at some point a reckoning and an assessment comes - because it seems to me that Hubert gets a total pass from local and national media - maybe because of the fluky 22 run, and what the team did this year….

but like you said - and like we see more and more across all teams in the tourney - if you have a ton of experience and good players, you can’t go out 2 rounds (at least) before your seeding says you should. Or go from #1 overall preseason to not sniffing ACC reg season or ACC tourney title OR even making ncaa tourney (last year). Yes there were chemistry issues but you get the big $ to fix it.

Then finding a way to lose biggest halftime lead in history of ncaa finals game. Not a mark you want by your name. Things he has to answer for and do better at - not just shrug and say “that’s the way it goes” - like he did against Alabama too.

For all the time Hubert has spent around some of the GREATEST basketball minds and players in college and pros - as player and coach - it is shocking to me what a basic unchanging simpleton he seems to be, strategically.

i truly like Hubert as a person, but i'll say it again .. he's our basketball John Bunting. tons of UNC passion, can recruit .. but gets outcoached when it matters most.

 

[bleeduncblue]

ACC regular season champs, sweeping dookies and moo... ACC Coach of the Year, ACC player of the year, acct championship game, sweet 16...


1 year after missing all postseason play. If you can't enjoy that, that's your problem.

it was very enjoyable, but if those are your benchmarks for UNC basketball success, we're just on different planets ... and that is fine.

 

[bleeduncblue]

The final 4 should be UNC expectations every season and we did not make it past the sweet 16.

EXACTLY!

 

[Bubspub88]

UNC average starter age was 22.2 - for the OKC Thunder is is 22.6. That is unreal, 4/5 starters could legally buy booze!! I think they underachieved because they showed in multiple games they were FF worthy. The 2022 team overachieved because they showed nothing in regular season that they could compete for a title but made the FF.

This team had all the tools but could not put everything together when it mattered most. The team was well-constructed but the bench never provided consistent production. RJ and Armando put up great numbers, and to have multiple players having that type season should be the sign of a team making a deep March run.

I said in November I was reserving any predictions about how they would do until I saw the product on the floor. The OOC schedule and the regular season conf success showed this was a FF caliber team. Whether it was game plan or execution, UNC simply laid an egg in last game.

 

[strummingram]

it was very enjoyable, but if those are your benchmarks for UNC basketball success, we're just on different planets ... and that is fine.

I'm on the planet called context matters. Dean Smith didn't take his team to the final game his first season. Hubs is learning to coach in the most chaotic time in cbb history. 2 seasons out of 3 have been good. My expectations are just different. He appears to have returned the brand to the standard.

 

[UNCHUSKER]

I'm on the planet called context matters. Dean Smith didn't take his team to the final game his first season. Hubs is learning to coach in the most chaotic time in cbb history. 2 seasons out of 3 have been good. My expectations are just different. He appears to have returned the brand to the standard.

Context - Hubert was awful 2 of the 3 years…. His first year was rescued by a tournament run that almost didn’t happen becuse his second half against Baylor was some of the most pathetic basketball coaching ever seen. Couldn’t even inbound a basketball - then pissed away a big lead in a title game because of the same thing. Guess it wasn’t important enough to work on. Then took a preseason number 1 team and didn’t even make the tournament. He’s 53 - little late for learning. He’s recruited some really awful big men which will derail next season if he can’t address it in the portal. Sorry but UNC isn’t a place for on the job training. How about hiring the best head coach instead of alums only.

 

[Heelicious]

EXACTLY!

I’d say final four should be expectation especially as a 1 seed because it means you have the talent and teamwork to get there and you proved it during the year.

If say we win a title - and most or all of starting 5 leaves - so in 2006 and 2010 - no way do I expect a final four run. I’d be elated personally with say 4-6 final fours in a decade and 2+ titles per decade. We have been on track for that except for horrible injuries, bad bounces, some underperforming/ shooting clear back to Dean’s time.

I think most any program including the blue bloods would happily settle for 4-6 final fours and 2+ titles in a decade. But I get we are not any program. We are the top - proven by tops in 1 seeds tourney victories final fours. But I don’t think final four every year especially with portal etc is realistic

 

[strummingram]

His first year was rescued by a tournament run that almost didn’t happen

But... it did happen. Anything that almost didn't happen is fiction.

 

[NathanFielder]

Context - Hubert was awful 2 of the 3 years…. His first year was rescued by a tournament run that almost didn’t happen becuse his second half against Baylor was some of the most pathetic basketball coaching ever seen. Couldn’t even inbound a basketball - then pissed away a big lead in a title game because of the same thing. Guess it wasn’t important enough to work on. Then took a preseason number 1 team and didn’t even make the tournament. He’s 53 - little late for learning. He’s recruited some really awful big men which will derail next season if he can’t address it in the portal. Sorry but UNC isn’t a place for on the job training. How about hiring the best head coach instead of alums only.

I don't judge Hubert much from his first two seasons. I just think Caleb Love was an immensely difficult player to coach and (to a very large degree) have a team be dependent on Caleb Love's production. So for me, I wanted to wait for him to coach a team that didn't have Caleb Love on it. (btw, credit to Caleb on an improved senior year and Tommy Lloyd for getting a relatively efficient season out of him),

The preseason #1 was obviously an overreaction to a miraculous run from an 8/9 seed the year before.

I'm not really close to saying Hubert's good enough for UNC, or that he'll end up being a good/great coach. Long way to go. But IMO, positive returns without Caleb Love.