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On Cadeau...

Come on, D. Where are you even going with that? Dean started way more frosh (incl. O'Koren, Perkins, etc, etc, etc) than the ones you mentioned, and for good reason in each case. Fortunately, Dean didn't sabotage himself and say "How about we not elevate this young freshman...?" He properly evaluated that, inevitable mistakes notwithstanding (which they all made), the kid in question needed to start.

And seriously... EC most certainly IS special. There should be ZERO doubt about that, just as there should've been zero doubt about that with Butter or Berry.

And what the heck is your point about the last game outcome? Hell, we probably win that one if Hubert put 12 names in a hat and picked 5. The (should be) obvious point is that we are BETTER when EC is on the floor, and the MORE he's on the floor (22 minutes ain't enough, quite frankly), the better he will be, the better his teammates will be, and the better the team performance will be.

As I pointed out in the OP, not starting him from game-one has already been a net setback, We've had 3 games and an exhibition that could have been opportunities to accelerate the learning curves for everyone, but alas, now we're entering the grinder with that to catch up with.

The bottom line question is, what good is returning to Carolina basketball if you hafta wait until your "backup" PG gets in to actually execute it?
Gary, I think it was you but if it wasn't someone felt the need to invoke Phil Ford in reference to Cadeau and I clearly pointed out how NUTZO that was.

Next, kindly point out where I said that Dean NEVER started any freshmen other than Phil and Jordan? You will not be able to because I did not say that, so why argue about something I actually did not say or imply? Don't put words in my mouth I did not say.

Kendal in his own words said that he was not ready to start until Roy started him, I tend to listen when the kid himself says that, so Roy eased him in. Joel, like Kendal was as well being eased in and Roy was about to start him when he got hurt. I appreciate your using these 2 guys as your examples because neither seemed to suffer for being eased in as they were and I think a clear case is made that both benefitted from not being thrown in to the fire right off the bat.

Cadeau does have special talent, let's not argue that I said he didn't because I never have. But that talent has to be nurtured, it has to be developed, it has to be focused and easing him in is a legit way for helping with that.

So, 22mins was not enough for Cadeau, how many minutes would be enough, 40? You want us to go back to the "Iron 5" nonsense? I absolutely LOVE that Hubert is going deep in to his bench and I pray he does this all the way thru our last game we play this season. I don't want a single player averaging more than 30mins a game this season and as I have said before, if up to me no one would average over 25mins a game. I want guys with the freshest legs possible and able to play games on consecutive nights if needed.
 
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Both-"It is not important who starts, but more important who finishes" AND "I want RJ, Bacot, Ingram, Withers, and EC to start"-can be true at the same time! Once again, this idea is not the same as "I don't care who starts" I really believe we are making too much out of this and I believe that EC will eventually start, but I know the team looks really good and I love the learning curve they are showing as individuals and a collective! Once we start hitting a few shots and prove we can take a few punches from the biguns, this team will soar!

BTW: watching D and G-7 "debate" feels like watching your parents argue!
TP, I do equate "I don't care who starts" to "it is not important who starts". For, this is a unique UNC team due to the depth and quality of our bench. I for this team, see the starting line up as just another rotation, as opposed shall we say to the last 2years. I would like for example, say we are playing a 3 guard look team like Miami, then maybe we start EC, RJ, Ryan. But when we play duke and they have a guy like Mitchel at the 3, I want Ingram at the 3 with Withers or JWash in my starting role. Maybe I start a more defensive line up, maybe I want to start big, or maybe I want to start small ball, depends on the opponent for this particular team. That kind of flexability is a weapon that can be used.

Nah, not so much parents arguing as it is 2 very opiniated old cusses that believe they are right! LOL I actually trying not to argue but I am going to make my case for what I do not agree with and I am willing to consider points from gary or anyone else. But just because I may like a poster does not mean I am required to agree with them 100% of the time. You and I have had points we did not agree on TP and maybe we didn't end up agreeing but the line of respect stayed firm. I simply do not agree with gary on this particular subject, I have not called a divorce atty ! LOL
 
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I didn't say "no confidence", I said enough confidence to let EC run the show. Hubert has not shown that he has enough confidence in Cadeau to completely give him the keys.........yet. Surely he has confidence enough to let him play 20 min plus, but the point you are missing is that Cadeau will become much more confident, and the Alpha we need him to be once Hubert does display that kind of confidence in him. Not that hard to understand, we'll just have to agree that we look at this differently.
But Hubert is letting him run the show, he is the PG for the minutes he has been in. This isn't like last season when Hubert used Seth at the 2 or the 3 but rarely at the point where he should have been. Let me say this again, I TO WANT CADEAU TO START !!! The ONLY, the ONLY, the ONLY thing I have argued is that I am fine with the kid being eased in to it rather than thrown in to the fire day 1. I struggle to understand why that has got so much push back. That and the fact that I do NOT feel Cadeau should be touted as the next Phil Ford when he has yet to play in his first ACC conference game. I don't understand why either should be a controversial position to have? LOL When Roy eased in BOTH Kendal and Joel it didn't seem to me that it stunted their growth as players, both sure seemed to me to have very successful stays at UNC?

Hey, we can for sure agree to disagree, I am not trying to be disagreeable to you or anyone else. It is just I have some strong opinion on this and I wanted my position to be clear. But VERY respectful post and I do appreciate you for it!
 
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So, 22mins was not enough for Cadeau, how many minutes would be enough, 40? You want us to go back to the "Iron 5" nonsense? I absolutely LOVE that Hubert is going deep in to his bench and I pray he does this all the way thru our last game we play this season. I don't want a single player averaging more than 30mins a game this season and as I have said before, if up to me no one would average over 25mins a game. I want guys with the freshest legs possible and able to play games on consecutive nights if needed.
So more-than-22 = 40 huh? I mean, did you go to State or something?

Ok, sorry, that was cold, but seriously, it's like you're arguing just to argue at this point.

I'll just step away and simply say that bringing your (already) best PG off the bench is NOT nurturing his talent.
 
Hubert hasn’t shown to be a great coach, and continuing to play marginal players over elite freshman will put the nail in his coffin sooner than later given the win/loss results we’ve seen under him. again, he does the same stuff over and over.
 
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I agree with most of that, but I see Withers as more of a 4/3 than a 4/5. He's a bit smaller and quicker than I was expecting from his Louisville clips.

With Ingram, a 3/4, and Withers, a 4/3, on the floor together, SF and PF become basically interchangeable. We're more used to thinking of SG and SF as interchangeable, but this might be even better. Especially if we are often playing 2 PGs in the backcourt.

Whether things pan out that way may depend on Withers's 3 point shooting. He took 41% of his shots from deep last season, hitting 41% (not a typo).

I don't agree that Withers is a 4/5. Sure, we know he played in the post for Louisville. And did OK. But I don't see that being a good fit for him or the team. Nor do we need him there - unless maybe we run into a buzzsaw smaller team with Bacot on the bench.

I'm reminded of Duke's Amile Jefferson from a few seasons back. He was a 3/4, in my opinion (6'8 195 as a frosh), but K forced him into the post for much of his career. Where he acquitted himself quite well. He also somewhat grew into the position, adding an inch and 30 pounds along the way. I mention him because I would liked to have recruited him, but we didn't need him.
Agreed. I think Jalen is the spot 5. Mando is the 30 to 35 minute 5. Withers is not a 5 in my opinion. He and Ingram will man the 4/3. Ingram sliding to 3 much easier, Jalen the 3rd option, very capable at 4.

Gotta start being proficient at shooting 3's, just HAVE to be for this roster to work in the modern game ( Cormac Ryan). As others have stated I see Cadeau as the key to running this show. Ryan and RJ gotta shoot it, with Ingram being serviceable beyond the arc. I don't have a problem with easing him in against the cupcakes, but make no mistake it will be his show.

Mando will get his, Withers will contribute plenty, Ingram is solid and versatile, Jalen is a solid backup.

Gotta be able to shoot it On the perimeter. RJ has looked great to me stroking it, crap game against Riverside, but his stroke looks great. Cardeu distributing as he grows into the role should be the straw that stirs the drink offensively.

Seth is the energy, athletic, dee specialist, I do not see him as a point option.
 
You don't think RJ or whoever else could pass ahead to a Tyler Zeller massively taller than the competition while outrunning them down the court?
No. No I do not. He misses opportunities every game to pitch ahead, and they matter whether or not they are instant scores.

RJs full potential is being held back as well. I think he could be much more efficient with 30 point bursts but he too needs to learn to play with a high level PG on the floor.
 
Agreed. I think Jalen is the spot 5. Mando is the 30 to 35 minute 5. Withers is not a 5 in my opinion. He and Ingram will man the 4/3. Ingram sliding to 3 much easier, Jalen the 3rd option, very capable at 4.

Gotta start being proficient at shooting 3's, just HAVE to be for this roster to work in the modern game ( Cormac Ryan). As others have stated I see Cadeau as the key to running this show. Ryan and RJ gotta shoot it, with Ingram being serviceable beyond the arc. I don't have a problem with easing him in against the cupcakes, but make no mistake it will be his show.

Mando will get his, Withers will contribute plenty, Ingram is solid and versatile, Jalen is a solid backup.

Gotta be able to shoot it On the perimeter. RJ has looked great to me stroking it, crap game against Riverside, but his stroke looks great. Cardeu distributing as he grows into the role should be the straw that stirs the drink offensively.

Seth is the energy, athletic, dee specialist, I do not see him as a point option.
Lost it seems to me in this discussion of Cadeau is a huge change that jumps out to me in the games we have played so far, a huge change from last season. That being the quality of shots good shooters are getting with the tag along concern that we have not been hitting as many of those good looks as we will need to. I promise you this much, no matter if Cadeau starts or not next game, I personally would like to see him start TODAY, it is not going to effect good shooters taking and missing good shots. Doesn't matter who passes the ball to Pax for a clean look or who passes it to Ryan, they have to drop that clean look. I especially noticed last game, RJ slid back in to taking some harder shots that he needs to curb back, be a bit more patient, make the extra pass and relocate for a good look rather than settle for the Caleb special. Ryan is rushing a little bit, needs to take that split second to make sure he has his feet squared and base solid so he can pop straight up rather than float off to a side. Ryan is really good with the pump fake and re-position single dribble and pop, like to see him use that more, will force his defender to slow down having to respect him putting it on the floor. Pax just needs to settle down and take his rhythm jumper with confidence, they all 3 will be fine!

At the 5 and backing up Bacot, I would tap JWash, most especially if he can keep knocking down those mid range smooth jumpers, those were really pretty last game, Next I would go with High, really good motor, good looking young colt, I think just needs to add some weight and strength to potentially become a special player. I then look to Konkwo, raw not great hands but his some spring in his legs and he gets boards and gives some shot blocking to boot. I like Withers more at the 4, like him so much at the 4 that he would be my starter there but more important I want him to see starter minutes at the 4.

My real difference maker, my X factor is Ingram, I consider his scoring to be margin of victory points. Love that he is smart enough to take shots he is comfortable with and either put it on the floor or pass it if he is not comfortable with it, he doesn't force bad shots, at 4-11 he did not shoot well last game but his shot selection was solid IMO.

Seth, I think not only is he by far our best back court defender, not just our best over all defender, but could well be the best defender in the ACC. Jury has to still be out on how much of at all Seth's offense has improved over late last season but last game was a great start!
 
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No. No I do not. He misses opportunities every game to pitch ahead, and they matter whether or not they are instant scores.

RJs full potential is being held back as well. I think he could be much more efficient with 30 point bursts but he too needs to learn to play with a high level PG on the floor.
To your point, and mine: I was tallying up some numbers from my game notes thus far (before I toss them), and even thru 6 games, the Cadeau impact is palpable and speaks to exactly what I've been trying to convey.

Bottom line is in every single aspect, we are better with EC at PG. And I'm laughing, as coincidentally a friend just sent me some advanced metrics from an article on another site, and whattayaknow?... they jibe straight-up with what I have noticed and recorded.

I've related our improved scoring rate and advantage over opponents in particular with the EC/RJ backcourt -- well, the advanced metrics amplify that. But... here's the kicker --- despite the handwringing I see on here, we are also better DEFENSIVELY with that backcourt, and our efficiency DIFFERENTIAL (vis-a-vis opponents) SOARS to an unreal +50.6 margin (!!!).

Moreover, just as I predicted,. RJ benefiits wildly from moving to the 2 next to EC, to the tune of 28.5 pts/40 minutes (compared to 18.8/40 without EC).

And (to absolutely zero surprise), the most efficient lineup (by a mile) has been --- wait for it --- EC/RJ/Ryan/Ingram/Bacot (small sample-sizes notwithstanding).
 
As you say Gary, the old eye test didn't look to good against Nova defensively for our guards.

I do think Cadeau is the best option at point but it does have a negative impact defensively with him and Davis on the court.

Was excited to see Trimble hit a few open 3's so he can be a threat on the offensive end
 
To your point, and mine: I was tallying up some numbers from my game notes thus far (before I toss them), and even thru 6 games, the Cadeau impact is palpable and speaks to exactly what I've been trying to convey.

Bottom line is in every single aspect, we are better with EC at PG. And I'm laughing, as coincidentally a friend just sent me some advanced metrics from an article on another site, and whattayaknow?... they jibe straight-up with what I have noticed and recorded.

I've related our improved scoring rate and advantage over opponents in particular with the EC/RJ backcourt -- well, the advanced metrics amplify that. But... here's the kicker --- despite the handwringing I see on here, we are also better DEFENSIVELY with that backcourt, and our efficiency DIFFERENTIAL (vis-a-vis opponents) SOARS to an unreal +50.6 margin (!!!).

Moreover, just as I predicted,. RJ benefiits wildly from moving to the 2 next to EC, to the tune of 28.5 pts/40 minutes (compared to 18.8/40 without EC).

And (to absolutely zero surprise), the most efficient lineup (by a mile) has been --- wait for it --- EC/RJ/Ryan/Ingram/Bacot (small sample-sizes notwithstanding).
I think EC is going to be great. He has the tools. What I don't understand, though, is why Armando doesn't seem to be benefiting more from his presence. At least in gross terms, the more EC plays, the less Armando scores.

I'm NOT saying this is EC's fault, but shouldn't we expect Armando to be a beneficiary of EC's passing prowess?

Can someone shed light on this? Has Armando been hurt? Has he had trouble getting open to receive passes? Something else? I mean, sure, the later games were against better opponents, so some drop-off could be expected. But that much?

From what I've heard about Tennessee, we're going to need a strong game from Armando to beat Tennessee. So hopefully this is just a fluke.

GameEC MinutesArmando Scoring
Radford1925
Lehigh2122
UC Riverside2321
Northern Iowa2310
Villanova178
Arkansas269
 
I think EC is going to be great. He has the tools. What I don't understand, though, is why Armando doesn't seem to be benefiting more from his presence. At least in gross terms, the more EC plays, the less Armando scores.

I'm NOT saying this is EC's fault, but shouldn't we expect Armando to be a beneficiary of EC's passing prowess?

Can someone shed light on this? Has Armando been hurt? Has he had trouble getting open to receive passes? Something else? I mean, sure, the later games were against better opponents, so some drop-off could be expected. But that much?

From what I've heard about Tennessee, we're going to need a strong game from Armando to beat Tennessee. So hopefully this is just a fluke.

GameEC MinutesArmando Scoring
Radford1925
Lehigh2122
UC Riverside2321
Northern Iowa2310
Villanova178
Arkansas269
While you can make numbers say a lot of things you also have to remember that Villanova and Arkansas are both much better teams than the first four. That would explain his drop to me. And NI being a closer third.
 
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Can someone shed light on this? Has Armando been hurt? Has he had trouble getting open to receive passes? Something else? I mean, sure, the later games were against better opponents, so some drop-off could be expected. But that much?
Armando just not taking it seriously. He is used to playing bully ball against less athletic players and it doesnt work against the ones stronger or more athletic than him. Armando is a 5th year senior who was a McDonalds all american and a 5 star recruit playing at UNC with people/coaches who SHOULD know basketball and how to teach basketball. No reason he cannot use his footwork or strength to score regardless of who is guarding him. Look at any good big man throughout the years in the NBA, they have always been able to score regardless of who was guarding them. Bacot should be able to have the footwork or strength to create his own shot. Doesnt matter how high you can jump. I dont want to hear excuses.

I am also so sick of the one handed put back shots.. go up with 2 hands!!!!
 
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While you can make numbers say a lot of things you also have to remember that Villanova and Arkansas are both much better teams than the first four. That would explain his drop to me. And NI being a closer third.
It is a valid point that Bacot produced more vs weaker opponents, we are not talking about just any player, we are talking Armondo Bacot, a guy touted to be a NCAA first team AA as well as a NCAA NPOY candidate. A player of that caliber at least to me should not be struggling to produce against the guys checking him playing for Arky or nova?

I don't think, thou it is hard to tell now days🙄, don't think it controversial to suggest that RJ feeding the post is not exactly the strength of his game. IN addition, i would as well suggest that Bacot kicking it back out and re-posting is not exactly a staple of Bacot's game. When your starting PG is not exactly a specialist feeding the post and that big man is not specializing in kicking it back out and re-positioning the lack of scoring is not all that much of a surprise. Add to that the fact that Ingram has shown a special knack for backing down a defender on the opposite block and kicking it out when the defense tries to double him it tends to place more on Bacot to "present himself" in good position to finish and when he does get that position and the ball he has to finish strong thru contact as opposed to the cute lil finess stuff we have seen him miss to often.

Many are quick to tap Cadeau as the solution for this but the freshman has not exactly been intently looking to feed Bacot, I would suggest he is looking to find the best option that passing lane allows. That means Bacot has to move in to a better angle to be fed, means move his feet. Cadeau has had some really nice feeds to JWash but JWash is "presenting himself to the ball handler (hopefully everyone knows what I mean when I say presenting himself, it is simply moving in to the passing lane and being ready to receive the ball in a finishing spot). Should not have to call a set play for that to happen, it should be well ingrained in free lance. But what has been happening is defenders are not coming off Bacot to help on the driver so the driver is finishing and should. Bacot tends to draw the other teams best rim protector, so Hubert goes to his favorite "horns set" and looking to get good outside spacing so the driver has options. It seems to be tending that the better options are on the side opposite to Bacot. His being a decoy to draw off the better big man defender is opening things up for drivers and we have got a LOT of easy lay ups out of this look.
 
It is a valid point that Bacot produced more vs weaker opponents, we are not talking about just any player, we are talking Armondo Bacot, a guy touted to be a NCAA first team AA as well as a NCAA NPOY candidate. A player of that caliber at least to me should not be struggling to produce against the guys checking him playing for Arky or nova?

I don't think, thou it is hard to tell now days🙄, don't think it controversial to suggest that RJ feeding the post is not exactly the strength of his game. IN addition, i would as well suggest that Bacot kicking it back out and re-posting is not exactly a staple of Bacot's game. When your starting PG is not exactly a specialist feeding the post and that big man is not specializing in kicking it back out and re-positioning the lack of scoring is not all that much of a surprise. Add to that the fact that Ingram has shown a special knack for backing down a defender on the opposite block and kicking it out when the defense tries to double him it tends to place more on Bacot to "present himself" in good position to finish and when he does get that position and the ball he has to finish strong thru contact as opposed to the cute lil finess stuff we have seen him miss to often.

Many are quick to tap Cadeau as the solution for this but the freshman has not exactly been intently looking to feed Bacot, I would suggest he is looking to find the best option that passing lane allows. That means Bacot has to move in to a better angle to be fed, means move his feet. Cadeau has had some really nice feeds to JWash but JWash is "presenting himself to the ball handler (hopefully everyone knows what I mean when I say presenting himself, it is simply moving in to the passing lane and being ready to receive the ball in a finishing spot). Should not have to call a set play for that to happen, it should be well ingrained in free lance. But what has been happening is defenders are not coming off Bacot to help on the driver so the driver is finishing and should. Bacot tends to draw the other teams best rim protector, so Hubert goes to his favorite "horns set" and looking to get good outside spacing so the driver has options. It seems to be tending that the better options are on the side opposite to Bacot. His being a decoy to draw off the better big man defender is opening things up for drivers and we have got a LOT of easy lay ups out of this look.
This may be but time and more games will tell. I don’t think there’s much of a correlation to EC starting and Bacots low numbers. We’ve played better teams imo and he just can’t have his way with better talent.
 
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This may be but time and more games will tell. I don’t think there’s much of a correlation to EC starting and Bacots low numbers. We’ve played better teams imo and he just can’t have his way with better talent.
I would say your last sentence applies to BOTH Bacot and Cadeau?
 
This may be but time and more games will tell. I don’t think there’s much of a correlation to EC starting and Bacots low numbers. We’ve played better teams imo and he just can’t have his way with better talent.
I certainly agree with that.

The reason I asked if others could explain Armando's recent underperformance (as I see it) is that I don't think better foes adequately accounts for it. I could be wrong, of course, but he's performed better against this level of opposition in the past.

@DSouthr suggests that Bacot is drawing defenders making it easier to attack the other side of the basket. Makes sense. Could also explain why EC might not be using his wizardry to feed Armando - because he has better targets on the other side of the basket.

If that's the case, we'd expect to see Armando taking fewer shots. But he's averaging 10.8 shots per game this season, vs 10.3 last season. Closer to 9 the last 3 games, but is that a big enough difference to be the answer?

He shot a combined 37% from 2-pt range against UNI/Nova/AK. That sounds like accuracy is the problem. If so, what's the fix?

The good news is that he's killing it from the stripe.
 
This may be but time and more games will tell. I don’t think there’s much of a correlation to EC starting and Bacots low numbers. We’ve played better teams imo and he just can’t have his way with better talent.
There is very little correlation between Bacot's lower numbers and Cadeau starting or not. It has more to do with Ingram backing down his defender on the opposite side and Bacot's defender not going over to double Ingram, the help on Ingram is coming from either the wing defender or a guard. So Ingram does not have the angle to find Bacot. This has been one of our go to sets so far and very effective, expect opposing coaches to scout this and try to come up with a plan to challenge it more.

The other thing is un-noticed it seems but INgram has been setting some really nice screens and pops off of them outside, if a defender does not follow him he is getting/taking/making treys. If the defender does follow Ingram then our driver guard is able to cleanly turn the corner and many times has a lay up, especially off that double stack and notice, that action nearly always happens on the side opposite to where Bacot is set up. Bacot is draining off the only real defensive threat to that drivers ability to finish. We have even run that several times with Ryan and a couple times with Withers driving for layups where they started on Bacot's side of the blocks and crossed the paint to finish opposite.
 
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I certainly agree with that.

The reason I asked if others could explain Armando's recent underperformance (as I see it) is that I don't think better foes adequately accounts for it. I could be wrong, of course, but he's performed better against this level of opposition in the past.

@DSouthr suggests that Bacot is drawing defenders making it easier to attack the other side of the basket. Makes sense. Could also explain why EC might not be using his wizardry to feed Armando - because he has better targets on the other side of the basket.

If that's the case, we'd expect to see Armando taking fewer shots. But he's averaging 10.8 shots per game this season, vs 10.3 last season. Closer to 9 the last 3 games, but is that a big enough difference to be the answer?

He shot a combined 37% from 2-pt range against UNI/Nova/AK. That sounds like accuracy is the problem. If so, what's the fix?

The good news is that he's killing it from the stripe.
Couple things, first you are just going to get Bacot the ball when you can, you can't forget about him. The other thing is Bacot is getting some shots but he is catching the ball on passes a bit further out and trying to drive, which I am not a fan of or he is trying to tap the rebound back up rather than getting the rebound solid in both hands and going back up strong. As we have known for a while now, Bacot does not often look to pass back out and re-position for a better position and really he needs to work on that way more, because he doesn't get the better position he tends to try that finess nonsense that maybe it trickles in but is a much harder shot for him. Bottom line I think Bacot needs to present himself better as an option, needs to move to a spot within a passing lane where he can catch turn and finish in a single motion, does no good to find that spot if you are not in a passing lane that allows the guard to get the ball to you safely.

Realize that Bacot has that Kennedy Meeks game going on where many of his shot attempts are from his own misses, he eats a lot on stick backs so his shot and rebound numbers are a bit skewed! LOL
 
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