I have been watching replays of the Kentucky, Oregon and Gonzaga games-What else do we have to do until the next season starts? I love Joel and am so happy that he is returning for his senior season. Also the way he played on those busted wheels was incredible but IMHO the most valuable player in the great 8 and the final 4 has to be Meeks. Did you guys see the disappointed look on his face when it was announced the Joel was the most valuable player of the tournament-I did and I could feel the pain although he tried not to show it. He would never allow it to be known that he was hurt but I know he feel sure he was. For four years he did everything that was asked of him-lost the excess weight, got in great shape, became more explosive, passed the ball with incredible accuracy and beat every opposing player to the rim in most cases. Think about it-none of the other teams had an answer for Meeks. When we absolutely had to have a stop or a basket down low, he was there-nothing fancy but none of the opposing players could stop him. It's over and done with and we are hanging another banner but it has been on my mind since April. I don't think the big guy got the credit he deserves. Had to get that off my chest.
More respect "love" for Meeks
- Thread starter chapelhillbill67
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I agree, Kennedy was one of several keys but especially in the last few games.
As an example, in the Oregon game and the final play or two, time running out, a foul shooter misses and here is the key...Kennedy was low on the block and the Oregon kid kept trying to "lock him up" with tying his arm intertwined with Kennedys arm, Kennedy knocked it away a time or two then let the kid persist, kid thought he had him tied down and quick as a cat, Kennedy turned the tables and got his arm into the more favorable position on the kid as the shot feel off the rim Kennedy half jumped and one handed the rebound, while keeping the Oregon kid on the ground and off the boards.
We retained control and won the game.
In the final four he made so many big plays that otherwise go unnoticed.
And he played hard to the final block he made in the Gonzaga game...
As an example, in the Oregon game and the final play or two, time running out, a foul shooter misses and here is the key...Kennedy was low on the block and the Oregon kid kept trying to "lock him up" with tying his arm intertwined with Kennedys arm, Kennedy knocked it away a time or two then let the kid persist, kid thought he had him tied down and quick as a cat, Kennedy turned the tables and got his arm into the more favorable position on the kid as the shot feel off the rim Kennedy half jumped and one handed the rebound, while keeping the Oregon kid on the ground and off the boards.
We retained control and won the game.
In the final four he made so many big plays that otherwise go unnoticed.
And he played hard to the final block he made in the Gonzaga game...
I agree 100%. I posted not long after the game that Kennedy looked sad/disappointed when he saw the MOP Trophy go elsewhere, and I thought he did a tremendous job of "accepting it" and being very happy for Joel. Both of them were Warriors in the last few games. I really hoped the team might recognize just how HUGE Kennedy's efforts were all season and his amazing consistency and vote him Team MVP, but I understand Jackson had a legit claim there as well.
Kennedy was the guy who showed up every single day and went into Man Up mode, but the flashier guys got all the glory. I'm not downing Joel or Justin at all, just recognizing Meek's Massive contributions in the Tourney and All Year Long!
Kennedy was the guy who showed up every single day and went into Man Up mode, but the flashier guys got all the glory. I'm not downing Joel or Justin at all, just recognizing Meek's Massive contributions in the Tourney and All Year Long!
Many starters made key contributions to get us the title,but agree that Kennedy really worked his ass off around the basket.Without his rebounds at the end of the Oregon game and of coarse Luuuuuuke's shot vs UK and they are most likely watching the title game along with us fans.
Can't agree more. I was frankly shocked KM didn't get MOP. He was a beast in the FF. I mean, you know my regard for JB but Kennedy was every bit as deserving. He should have at least gotten a Co-MOP.
And yes, he was a pillar all season. Kennedy was the originating source of much of the intel I've been able to share for the past 4+ years so I know what he has been through to get where he is. I am hoping for a long and productive pro career for the big fella!
Yep. He was great for us all year.
Some of us, including me, thought he ought to have been MVP or MOP or whatever they are calling it these days. If it were up to me, his jersey would be in the rafters.
Justin, Joel and Kennedy were the backbone of this team. Doesn't seem fair he didn't get the same tangible recognition.
Some of us, including me, thought he ought to have been MVP or MOP or whatever they are calling it these days. If it were up to me, his jersey would be in the rafters.
Justin, Joel and Kennedy were the backbone of this team. Doesn't seem fair he didn't get the same tangible recognition.
We are so Blessed to have guys like him stay 4 years with us. Like most of y'all I sure was pulling for him to get his jersey in the rafters. He deserved it, but then there have been many I have felt the same way about over the years.
As I have shared before, Meeks was the beast for us, kid just showed up every single game and frankly, it was not what any of us could have expected considering the prior 2 seasons. I was extremely happy to see it for the kid and yes to me he was our MVP and that comes with no disrespect toward Joel or Justin but they tended to get the headlines, Meeks was not unappreciated but he was IMO absolutely under appreciated. He, in my opinion is the hardest guy we have to find a way to replace this coming season and I am hoping we can close to doing so by committee but that is a tall order to fill.
Yep, we'll miss Kennedy.
We'll miss Justin, too, but with Theo and Cam and hoped-for shooting improvement by Brandon, we have his position and most of his skill set quite nicely covered. Still don't have anyone who moves as well without the ball and with as many tricks up his sleeve so the D can't afford to lag off. But pretty much all the other bases are covered at SF.
Unfortunately, we don't have Kennedy's skill set covered. Yet. We are all hopeful, but we haven't seen it yet. And while the odds are good that someone in our pool of bigs will turn out to be up to the challenge - simply because we have so many new bigs to choose from - there are no guarantees that they can come anywhere close to the production and consistency we got from Kennedy.
He should have been Co-MOP at the very least.
He will be harder to replace than anyone we lost. He was a very under appreciated player, many UNC fan came to take his almost routine double double for granted. I am more concerned about rebounding than any other than any other facet of the game.
We led the country in rebounding at it showed against both Oregon and Gonzaga down the stretch.hope our newbies buy into it and work it hard off the glass,if so,we might see another FF.
As I keep reiterating, the surest way for our freshmen bigs to win PT is by playing defense and rebounding. It's not rocket science.
Let's not forget the tremendous post defense in the tourney and the incredible improvement he showed in Pick/Roll D! I was sorely disappointed he didn't get his jersey in the rafters, but he will have a special place in the UNC Family! One aspect of his legacy that might pay the greatest dividend for the Tar Heels is being a shining example of the benefits of hard work! To go from the Dough Boy that dominated by sheer size in HS to the chiseled warrior that made opponents non-factors in the tourney is almost unprecedented!
Thanks for the memories and the Natty, Bigun!
Thanks for the memories and the Natty, Bigun!
The 1 or 2 of our freshman bigs that do just this will get the lion share of the front court PT along with Luke.
That is why I suspect Huffman may be one of those guys, he has very good size/strength and a big time motor and plays with a little bit of a chippy attitude. Problem with him is he may have the worst mid range jumper I have seen from one of our players in a long while, maybe worse than Desmond so that has to improve as he progresses. I as well think Brooks will be a factor for us this season, he is IMO a physically stronger version of Brice but not as quick a leaper. Brice the freshman was rail thin, Brooks is more physically ready to play.
IN terms of what we are likely to ask our frosh bugs to do, at least initially, rebound and score close to the basket and defend. Look at bigs like Brice, Henson, Ed Davis, Alec, Deon, Joel James, Meeks, Tony, none of those guys as freshmen did or showed off much mid range shooting, they mostly stayed close to the basket and took close range looks. I think our frosh can do that now.
Other questions about our bigs to be answered when play begins...
Who has the best hands?
Who is best at kicking it out to what we hope will be a superior outside-shooting perimeter?
Who can run the floor best - and catch passes and finish on the run?
Who can stay out of foul trouble while still playing hard?
Manley and Brooks both seem to have very sure hands, Huff's hands appear decent. Huff may be the strongest at this point. Initially, we don't need a mid range game from them, just scoring from point blank range on dump downs and put backs. Then defend and go after every rebound hard.
I think they can do that capably.
I think they can do that capably.
Of our 4 frosh Bigs (folks leave out Walker Miller at their peril), Huff is the least offensively developed by a good margin. That being said, his physicality and aggression may garner him some PT for the exact reasons many here have said --- willingness to play D and rebound. Thus, the next question is how long he can stay on the floor. I'm sure he will "utilize" his fouls.
Yeah, and I agree on Walker as well, I think that kid will shock a lot of folks, has a really nice shooting touch out to the trey area. I am not calling for him to be a instant impact guy as a freshman but to see him come in and chip in with 4-6pts would not surprise me at all. I think he has the best shooting touch of any of our frosh big men and I do think he is a late bloomer, absolutely not your typical walk on for sure!
Of course Meeks has a couple of things few can lay claim to...............
Just out of curiosity, what's on the backside of those banners? Looks like there would be plenty of room to list players, coaches and such.Of course Meeks has a couple of things few can lay claim to...............
Is that the actual NC ring? If so, why does it have a football on it?
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