Luke...

[gary-7]

...just sharing this is case y'all haven't seen it, and to hopefully once and for all help dispel the misguided notion that Luke was just gonna be just another Jackson Simmons.
Young fella will be a major part of this season's rotation and here's a sample of why.
Enjoy.

 

[Tom79]

Some of us came to understand your point as far back as his recruitment. Not a "star" but a solid contributor to this UNC team. The guy has a knack for the ball and a good head on his shoulders...

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Clint tried to tell everybody when he committed that he was a very smart-hustling player with good hands. I'll take that on every Tar Heel team.

 

[dadika13]

While I'm not disagreeing completely, I'm not entirely shocked to see him play well against D2 talent. If he starts playing like this against IU, UK, ACC teams then I'll jump completely on board.

 

[HeelFan58]

When I was advocating that we recruit him , I was blasted by other posters that it would be a wasted schollie. I knew he couldn't jump out of the gym but I just felt he was a hard nosed competitor just like his dad , Mark who over came injuries to make a fine QB.

 

[gary-7]

While I'm not disagreeing completely, I'm not entirely shocked to see him play well against D2 talent. If he starts playing like this against IU, UK, ACC teams then I'll jump completely on board.

C'mon now. Under that approach, why wouldn't you say the same about say, Tony Bradley then? Just like the rest of our guys, Luke was clearly on a higher level than the opposition and made things look easy.

Luke and KW both created a buzz among their peers and the pro alums this summer, and their performances in the exhibition (not to mention in the scrimmage against a very credible D1 opponent), portends big sophomore surges for both.

 

[dadika13]

C'mon now. Under that approach, why wouldn't you say the same about say, Tony Bradley then? Just like the rest of our guys, Luke was clearly on a higher level than the opposition and made things look easy.

1. Higher level than D2 competition? I would certainly hope so.

2. You want to compare Luke and Tony? Tony is a man child. 6'10'' long as hell and runs like a gazelle and a McDonald's freaking AA. Luke just isn't that. All I'm saying is I want to see him be able to do what he did against the highest levels before I'm going to anoint him as the next Tyler (pick one, either fits).

I will say the same about Kenny that I said about Luke. Really like what I saw in their first action this season, but I want to see it against a real D1 program before I get too excited.

I don't think this is too crazy of a concept.

 

[Tom79]

I didn't now Memphis was demoted?????
Oh, I get it, your back handed negativity was meant, I suppose, to be aimed at another "real time in-game situation"...okay, we have a couple of more opportunities this Friday and Sunday. Of course, you realize that against a real D1 team, the lineups might appear entirely different. Roy played everyone some nice minutes against UNC-P.
I would add, gary is correct in summer reports did show some nice information on KW and Luke...as to whom may blossom, I would bet Kenny before Luke, but as stated above Luke will be a nice team member and contributor when called on by coach.

 

[dadika13]

I didn't now Memphis was demoted?????
Oh, I get it, your back handed negativity was meant, I suppose, to be aimed at another "real time in-game situation"...okay, we have a couple of more opportunities this Friday and Sunday. Of course, you realize that against a real D1 team, the lineups might appear entirely different. Roy played everyone some nice minutes against UNC-P.
I would add, gary is correct in summer reports did show some nice information on KW and Luke...as to whom may blossom, I would bet Kenny before Luke, but as stated above Luke will be a nice team member and contributor when called on by coach.

Christ dude, it's not "back handed negativity". It's having a realistic opinion on someone. We are allowed to have differing opinions on our players, it's ok, I promise.

 

[gary-7]

1. Higher level than D2 competition? I would certainly hope so.

2. You want to compare Luke and Tony? Tony is a man child. 6'10'' long as hell and runs like a gazelle and a McDonald's freaking AA. Luke just isn't that. All I'm saying is I want to see him be able to do what he did against the highest levels before I'm going to anoint him as the next Tyler (pick one, either fits).

I will say the same about Kenny that I said about Luke. Really like what I saw in their first action this season, but I want to see it against a real D1 program before I get too excited.

I don't think this is too crazy of a concept.

ohhkayy...
I don't think anyone's anointing anyone the next Tyler (and that includes Tony), BUT what I am saying without any trepidation is that Luke will be one of our Top-8/9 players if/when the rotation shrinks --- and will even likely be the first off the bench in some games --- and that will serve us quite well.

 

[Archer2]

Dadika, I don't think I've seen anybody compare him to Hans. We're excited because Luke was fairly impressive last year as a freshman and apparently even more so this summer in pickup games against former UNC players. He was evidently pretty impressive in the scrimmage against other D1 players and had arguably one of the top 3 most impressive stat lines against Pembroke. I think Gary's point was that we're all discussing how good Tony looked against D2 Pembroke so why should Luke's play be any less impressive?

My opinion is that Luke will be a very solid player this year and will very likely assume a starting role next season. There have been many here who have stated that if Luke ever had to play major minutes, we would be in a world of trouble. I thought they were wrong then and nothing I've heard or seen since has changed my opinion. Perhaps if Luke develops into a very good player, perhaps it will ease some minds around here regarding some of the 3* players we've signed.

 

[dadika13]

Dadika, I don't think I've seen anybody compare him to Hans. We're excited because Luke was fairly impressive last year as a freshman

Agree to disagree there. I thought he looked completely over matched vs ACC level competition.

He was evidently pretty impressive in the scrimmage against other D1 players and had arguably one of the top 3 most impressive stat lines against Pembroke. I think Gary's point was that we're all discussing how good Tony looked against D2 Pembroke so why should Luke's play be any less impressive?

Again, Pembroke is Pembroke. When you watch that game you really think Luke and Tony are even comparable as basketball players? I certainly don't. We're excited about Tony because we know his ceiling is a dominant OAD who is our starting center on a FF team. Can we say that about Luke? Hell no.

My opinion is that Luke will be a very solid player this year and will very likely assume a starting role next season. There have been many here who have stated that if Luke ever had to play major minutes, we would be in a world of trouble. I thought they were wrong then and nothing I've heard or seen since has changed my opinion. Perhaps if Luke develops into a very good player, perhaps it will ease some minds around here regarding some of the 3* players we've signed.

I agree with some of this. I agree that he could be a very solid role player this year as our 4th big. I still think that if he's getting 20mpg we're in trouble vs high level opponents.

Great thing is, I'm very open (and hoping) that I'm wrong about this after 10 games. I hope he uses those intangibles to give us quality minutes against the top competition. My whole thing is that I want to see it first in real games because I did not see it last year.

 

[DSouthr]

C'mon now. Under that approach, why wouldn't you say the same about say, Tony Bradley then? Just like the rest of our guys, Luke was clearly on a higher level than the opposition and made things look easy.

Luke and KW both created a buzz among their peers and the pro alums this summer, and their performances in the exhibition (not to mention in the scrimmage against a very credible D1 opponent), portends big sophomore surges for both.

I am glad to see Luke getting a good start to the season, maybe a better start than many would have expected. But we are a scrimmage and a exhibition game against a badly out matched opponent in to this season. I have been screaming for everyone to watch for Kenny to have a solid season all summer, tickles me that he has as well had a solid start but I would not expect many minds to be changed about Kenny just based on a scrimmage and a game against badly out manned Pembrook. It is going to be several games in to this season and in truth it may take us playing the Maui before we see if what I have been screaming was justified and I would suggest the same should apply to Luke and 7th.

Just IMO how I see Luke has not changed all that much, I have never seen Luke as limited as Jackson Simmons was and from what I have seen not sure I recall many that saw him in any way but an upgrade from Simmons. I think we all accepted he plays hard, can jump shoot, good smarts, and is solid fundamentally (especially for a freshman as he was last season).

But I do think there are a lot of folks (self included) that have justified concern with Luke getting 20mins during the ACC slate of games. That is not a slap at the kid but more just the realization that he is 6'7" with average reach, and not really vertically explosive. In the ACC that is a problem that I just can not ignore, he has to show me he can to some degree neutralize those disadvantages before my concerns can go away.

 

[gary-7]

Just IMO how I see Luke has not changed all that much,
But I do think there are a lot of folks (self included) that have justified concern with Luke getting 20mins during the ACC slate of games. That is not a slap at the kid but more just the realization that he is 6'7" with average reach, and not really vertically explosive. In the ACC that is a problem that I just can not ignore, he has to show me he can to some degree neutralize those disadvantages before my concerns can go away.

Dave, I love ya brother, but...
Luke only has two limitations which you correctly mention --- reach and explosion.
However he's deceptively athletic and runs the floor like a Wing. He's also savvy, strong, knows how to rebound and pass, and he has (like Kenny) improved his scoring chops and confidence (summer ball was a revelation for him), plus gives us a legit 3-pt threat from the 4 spot. He won praise for all this playing with/against pros. Don't think there's any reason for concern. I'll take 15+ minutes from a Luke Maye any day.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

What he doesn't pass is the eye test! BUT any coach in the country would take players with his combination of bball IQ, hustle, attitude, instinct, and skill. He is a coach's dream type player who will come into a game at the 3 or 4 for stretches and contribute every time. He has very few negative plays and is guaranteed to get some rebounds and score some. I trust him to get 15 minutes and sometimes more in any game this season with complete confidence that he will help the team.

We will be in trouble if JB can't get his 32+ and Hicks can't get at least 25-30, but Maye getting 15-20 minutes is NOT cause for concern!

BTW: Hans is an ALL TIME GREAT at UNC! No recruit compared to him will look good. They only have 2 things in common; 1 is obvious and the other is peeps underestimated Hans before he got here because his incredible heart couldn't be measured!

 

[DSouthr]

Dave, I love ya brother, but...
Luke only has two limitations which you correctly mention --- reach and explosion.
However he's deceptively athletic and runs the floor like a Wing. He's also savvy, strong, knows how to rebound and pass, and he has (like Kenny) improved his scoring chops and confidence (summer ball was a revelation for him), plus gives us a legit 3-pt threat from the 4 spot. He won praise for all this playing with/against pros. Don't think there's any reason for concern. I'll take 15+ minutes from a Luke Maye any day.

Ya know what gary, what you just said gets toward something I have been suggesting since Theo went down, lets try Luke at the wing! he is 6'7" weights in what, around 230lbs, stronger than most any wing out there, would have a nice size advantage jump shooting over or posting up most wings, and runs the court. He sure wouldn't hurt on the boards, a particular sore spot right now.

 

[dadika13]

Ya know what gary, what you just said gets toward something I have been suggesting since Theo went down, lets try Luke at the wing! he is 6'7" weights in what, around 230lbs, stronger than most any wing out there, would have a nice size advantage jump shooting over or posting up most wings, and runs the court. He sure wouldn't hurt on the boards, a particular sore spot right now.

That's all great, but what do we do for the other 50% of the game when he has to D up a wing? Any halfway decent wing will blow right by him.

 

[gary-7]

That's all great, but what do we do for the other 50% of the game when he has to D up a wing? Any halfway decent wing will blow right by him.

Defensive match-ups could indeed be an issue there, depending on who it is.
However, as I posted in the stats thread, with Luke in the game at the 4 our system begins to look very much like the "small" lineup offensively, with the luxury of Luke guarding someone more his fit on defense.

 

[Ned Cota]

Defensive match-ups could indeed be an issue there, depending on who it is.
However, as I posted in the stats thread, with Luke in the game at the 4 our system begins to look very much like the "small" lineup offensively, with the luxury of Luke guarding someone more his fit on defense.

Exactly. We've all been looking for Theo replacements from our band of 2 guards. No reason to believe that Luke isn't his replacement in the small ball set. Theo is a much better facilitator than Luke, so the small ball set takes on a different character, and is the main reason we shouldn't use it as much as we did last year. But its a mistake to think that Luke can't and won't sop up a ton of the minutes Theo leaves us with.

Luke is big enough to guard most 4's and most 4's will have trouble following Luke out to the 3pt line. Where Theo would use this advantage to slash and kick, Luke will use it to shoot and pass to Bradley from the high post like he did beautifully against Pembroke.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

“He’s been playing with confidence,” UNC head coach Roy Williams said. “He played pretty doggone well at the scrimmage against Memphis. All of the guys as a staff, we voted on who we thought were the most impressive people and he was one of the top four at the Memphis scrimmage.”

Memphis is no Pembroke and he was compared to our entire team. I think we are OK with Maye in the game.

Small ball with Luke at 4 is interesting, especially if TB or Hicks are the 5! You could experiment with JJ/Brob at 3, KW/7th at 2 and the Master, JB, running the show.

 

[heelmanwilm]

If we're giving up 30 off rebounds to a community college i would say the door is wide open for someone to earn some pt if they can box out

 

[TPFKAPFS]

I would be willing to bet that after Roy has some of his famous rimless practices, the Hornets couldn't out-rebound us! All Roy needs is a little real world proof and he gets the job done. (Best record after a loss in history for example!)

Maye has proven he can help with this weakness though.

 

[keysersosay#1]

My sense is that Luke can be a good role player that IF he can give us 6-10 points/game, a few boards and play adequate defense then we will be very happy with his play. He is not a great athlete but works hard and yes his d is a concern, but as we have seen for many years with many teams...oh like the old Knight Indiana teams ...defense is all about position and desire.

Luke can be a very positive force for us. I am looking forward to his progress this year

 

[Archer2]

Exactly. We've all been looking for Theo replacements from our band of 2 guards. No reason to believe that Luke isn't his replacement in the small ball set. Theo is a much better facilitator than Luke, so the small ball set takes on a different character, and is the main reason we shouldn't use it as much as we did last year. But its a mistake to think that Luke can't and won't sop up a ton of the minutes Theo leaves us with.

Luke is big enough to guard most 4's and most 4's will have trouble following Luke out to the 3pt line. Where Theo would use this advantage to slash and kick, Luke will use it to shoot and pass to Bradley from the high post like he did beautifully against Pembroke.

I think this could be a productive lineup for us. Luke can take most fours outside or use that nice little jump hook to score inside. He is probably our best rebounder per minute played, certainly no worse than second behind Tony. Neither Kennedy nor Isaiah are willing rebounders. So we're going to need better rebounding from guys like Luke and JJ. Luke knows how to box out, something at which Kennedy and Isaiah are deficient. If they boarded with Luke's intensity, we'd be a much better rebounding team.

 

[DSouthr]

I think this could be a productive lineup for us. Luke can take most fours outside or use that nice little jump hook to score inside. He is probably our best rebounder per minute played, certainly no worse than second behind Tony. Neither Kennedy nor Isaiah are willing rebounders. So we're going to need better rebounding from guys like Luke and JJ. Luke knows how to box out, something at which Kennedy and Isaiah are deficient. If they boarded with Luke's intensity, we'd be a much better rebounding team.

I don't know that I would want to say Meeks nor Hicks are not willing rebounders, I think it is more that Luke does a great job of reading the shot and determining where the ball is likely to bound off and putting himself in a position to get to the ball. I don't think Meeks or Hicks are as sharp on that aspect as Luke seems to be.

 

[Archer2]

I don't know that I would want to say Meeks nor Hicks are not willing rebounders, I think it is more that Luke does a great job of reading the shot and determining where the ball is likely to bound off and putting himself in a position to get to the ball. I don't think Meeks or Hicks are as sharp on that aspect as Luke seems to be.

I don't know, Dave. While what you say may be true re: Luke "reading the shot and determining where the ball is likely to bound off", I think it goes much deeper than that. Rebounding is about desire and fundamentals. Consider Isaiah. The guy is a terrific athlete with excellent size, and should be a very good rebounder. But he doesn't box out well and he doesn't want to get every rebound possible, like he should.

Luke doesn't possess the raw talent or size that Isaiah does so he realizes he must master the fundamentals in order to play at this level. Ergo, why he boxes out better. It's also why he has already developed a jump hook, something neither Isaiah nor Kennedy has done, and they're Seniors. Very few players will outwork Luke, play smarter, or get more out of their talent. His father was the same way. It's why I have no doubt he will be a very significant contributor to our program.

 

[Spacegrass]

If he can board and hit the 3 from the 4 spot without being a defensive liability he will play more than expected.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

If he is hitting well from deep, that makes him a more viable sub at SF. That's a good thing as long as Theo is out. Brandon can probably handle it against smaller teams, Luke against bigger teams. I expect Justin to play 30+ minutes, so that may be sufficient.

He may not be that quick, but he seems to anticipate well. Which makes up for a lot.

We really need to see him against better (and taller) competition to know what we've got. But this outing was very encouraging.

 

[HeelFan58]

We're excited about Tony because we know his ceiling is a dominant OAD who is our starting center on a FF team

We certainly do not know that. Your speculation is running wild.