Leaky Black !

[DSouthr]

Ok, so in the off season, well actually for all of last season as well, Leaky was drilled by our fans, some of it deserved and some of it not. Tp and I went back and forth this off season about Leaky, while I admit, I didn't see him as a starter, I don't think I was nearly as harsh on the kid as many seemed to be. I tried to make the point that Leaky could be a valuable member of this team if used properly. Love me some Roy Williams but keeping it real I did not feel Roy used the kid properly. Kid really didn't seem to understand what his role was, him standing outside beyond the 3pt arch wide open and scared to take the shot just was not a role the kid should have been in. His proper role is on the defensive end he is our best on man defender, I like his sticking like glue to the other teams best back court shooter and not switch off him, stay in his grill and look to deny the pass.

On offense he should have been put more in the situation Theo was used in, that Jackie Manuel played, more as a facilitator and set up guy and take some of those mid range jumpers, he actually is pretty effective in the mid range. Give him his role, let him clearly understand it and have him work to perfect his unique role. So far this season it looks like a transformed Leaky and while I still do not want to see him taking treys, the kid has stepped up, he is a on the court leader no matter who he is playing against. Leaky is now getting huge minutes as well as now again a starter and he has earned every bit of that. He may not blow up the stat sheet but there is not another kid on our roster playing his role as consistently effective as Leaky Black is. Was nice to see Roy's reaction when Leaky hit that jumper with his toe on the 3pt line, Roy really loves that kid.

 

[Heelicious]

I especially thought Leaky had a solid all around game last night. He seemed so active and into it and had his long arms up, disrupting on defense.

I don't love when he puts up a three on the first or second pass of a possession, but he is a good enough shooter that he has to keep taking those when he is wide open and nobody is coming to guard him. I'd just prefer to move the ball more and see if we can get a higher % shot than those, again, about 8-10 seconds into the shot clock.

He can be a very disruptive defender and underrated passer and sometimes strong finisher....

though aside from Bacot and Love who look to dunk, I wish all the rest of the guys would look to dunk it more (looking at you Garcia, Manek, Leaky, et al...) vs seemingly trying to find a way to bounce a layup off the wrong part of the glass, rim.

 

[gobblercalls]

I believe he is blowing up the stat sheet, just not points scored. He's rebounding, making assists, hitting high percentage of free throw attempts, and making very few turnovers. I agree with you, we are seeing the very best version of Leaky. I like what see!

 

[Steat]

I don't want Leaky taking long jumpers. Every player has a role on the team and Leaky's strength is defense. Let's don't go overboard because he hit one outside jumper.

 

[CarolinaBlue5]

Leaky has played well this year..I thought he played a really good game last night! He had a lot of deflections and played good defense, rebounded, passed it well, and even contributed scoring the ball a little! I’ve never thought he should be playing more than 15 minutes but he’s proved me wrong this year

 

[FlaTarHeel]

I dont see Leaky being asked to do anything now that RW didn't ask him to do.
Defend, take the ball off the dribble(which he still is not doing enough), have the confidence to knock down occasional wide open shots(he was 1/2 in the corner last night).
This is probably his last season wearing that uniform and he's making the best of it while others at his position are either struggling, injured, or too young. Good for him

 

[Ozheelfan]

I dont see Leaky being asked to do anything now that RW didn't ask him to do.
Defend, take the ball off the dribble(which he still is not doing enough), have the confidence to knock down occasional wide open shots(he was 1/2 in the corner last night).
This is probably his last season wearing that uniform and he's making the best of it while others at his position are either struggling, injured, or too young. Good for him

Absolutely agree he doesn't take it off the dribble enough.
Leaky can drive and his length means he can finish well.

 

[Archer2]

I believe he is blowing up the stat sheet, just not points scored. He's rebounding, making assists, hitting high percentage of free throw attempts, and making very few turnovers. I agree with you, we are seeing the very best version of Leaky. I like what see!

I agree. His role is more defined and he’s another year more experienced. If we get this Leaky, or perhaps just a tad more, I’ll be very happy. He deserves a good senior year. BTW, if he wants to come back, I’m all for it.

Leaky has played well this year..I thought he played a really good game last night! He had a lot of deflections and played good defense, rebounded, passed it well, and even contributed scoring the ball a little! I’ve never thought he should be playing more than 15 minutes but he’s proved me wrong this year

He’s proven many of us wrong, and we’re all loving it.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

This is the Leaky I envisioned from the beginning! I cringe a bit every time he takes a shot outside of 12 feet, but I love every other part of his game. Refining his role and limiting him to the 3/4 seems to free his mind a bit. The only thing I didn't like before is the idea that he could play 1-4 because he never seemed to figure it out. BTW: He has to take that corner shot if it flows from the offense and is past the halfway point in the clock or they can defend 5 on 4. It makes the D have to play honestly and it opens up the shot fake and drive which could easily become his bread & butter! He will need to go up stronger and look to finish through contact or dunk instead of trying to avoid it though! Leaky is the perfect example of a lifelong Tar Heel and he is welcome to stay as long as he wants! (He has truly earned it)

 

[al would]

I liked his stat line v UM too. Very solid game and I called him "the glue guy" in another thread. Just seems like he added team effort when he was on the floor. Nothing fancy .. just solid and I thought pretty much from the time he came to UNC he would do really well in the Theo role. Great length, great hustle, still a little timid going to the basket but it looked like his shot mechanics are getting a little better. Haven't had time to go back and re-watch the UM game yet but on the surface it looked like he actually made a solid positive difference. I think if he'd get a little Stackhouse or MJ attitude and posterize somebody a time or two it would bring out his better player. jmo

 

[Steat]

I'm cautiously optimistic, but I'm getting back down to earth. No doubt Leaky is the best defender we got, but overall our team aren't great one-on-one defenders. You put another athletic player like Ivey (Purdue) in front of Leaky the kid may go for 25 pts. The kid Houstan from Michigan is a great spot up shooter, similar to Cam Johnson, but he is no Ivey or Banchero. UNC must operate with team mentality defensively to be successful. For example, if an opposing player drives around RJ or Caleb to the rim Bacot must leave his man and aggressively defend the basket similar to the block in the Michigan game where he swathed the ball into the 5th row. There are many other examples, but good one-on-one players may give UNC fits all year. I hope I am wrong.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Banchero??? There is no reason to believe Leaky can't guard athletic wings. We didn't see what he would have done against Ivey but we have seen him shut down other athletic wings despite having to cover for egregious mistakes by his teammates. (at least for a half) Banchero isn't quicker than Leaky and he gets frustrated with either physical on ball D or peeps trying to prevent him from getting the ball! He has otherworldly talent but so far it hasn't been combined with a high motor or hustle. The rest of the team showed a glimpse of good team D and I choose to assume they will only get better! Moore should be a bigger problem for Leaky than Banchero as far as quickness to me. We will need another person to step up defensively too to cover him and Keels. RJ V Keels at any point is a no go!

 

[DSouthr]

Banchero??? There is no reason to believe Leaky can't guard athletic wings. We didn't see what he would have done against Ivey but we have seen him shut down other athletic wings despite having to cover for egregious mistakes by his teammates. (at least for a half) Banchero isn't quicker than Leaky and he gets frustrated with either physical on ball D or peeps trying to prevent him from getting the ball! He has otherworldly talent but so far it hasn't been combined with a high motor or hustle. The rest of the team showed a glimpse of good team D and I choose to assume they will only get better! Moore should be a bigger problem for Leaky than Banchero as far as quickness to me. We will need another person to step up defensively too to cover him and Keels. RJ V Keels at any point is a no go!

Leaky would not be guarding Banchero, Leaky would be checking either Moore or Keels, Moore most often or Griffin in for some minutes. Moore has been giving the dukies a lot of scoring this season, he is a bit of a "X" factor for them, you want to limit his scoring. That is how you beat this duke team don't let guys not named Banchero score a lot for them. It is guys like Moore and Keels that gives them winning margins. The other key is getting Williams in foul trouble, they are not nearly as potent when Williams is not in the game altering any shot in the lane, so you attack his body and play thru him.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

I agree completely. I think Leaky can check Moore and is quite familiar with him. Leaky will have to switch out on Banchero, possibly frequently and I think would bother him a bit. Garcia will really need to live up to his on-ball D rep. I really think Keels is going to be a problem. Love could check him with maximum focus, but RJ has no shot.