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Seventh Woods

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montana_heel

All-American
Jan 28, 2008
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Did anyone else notice flashes from him. He had a few really nice assists the last few days.

I wonder what he has going on though. I was expecting a high flying quick guy from what I have read and if anything he is the opposite of that so far. Had problems keeping his guy from penetrating in the half court.

I can see the skill in there though even with the issues he is experiencing.

Hope he can get healthy. I'm sure that we will make it easier.

Liking what I am seeing from the freshman and sophomores for being so early in the season. So glad the season has started.
 
The talent is absolutely there. He's a year or 1.5 years away though from really hitting his potential. We're going to love him as a Jr. and Sr.
 
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He makes some great passes and shows glimpses of that athleticism but I am wondering if hes nursing a rather severe injury, cuz I dont see that explosiveness yet he displayed as a sophomore in high school.
 
With 7th, what we are going to notice sooner is his desire to defend, think we saw more of that yesterday. Impressed with some of his passing, he is going to learn the same lesson Ty Lawson had to learn, to slow down a lil bit. He tends to push it to far right now, got as bail out foul last night on one he pushed to deep. But it is hard to convince a kid to not go warp speed when he wants to push things as fast as he can. Ty learned, slow down can actually mean looking like you are faster, you aren't but you become more efficient.

His real explosion is not there just yet, injury is still an issue but the game itself is still a touch fast for him right now but from the exhibition game vs Pembrook to last night, he seems to have already settled down a good bit.
 
For some reason, I had it in my head that Seventh was someone that UNC would try to move to point guard. Does anyone know if he played the point in high school or AAU?
 
My gosh this is his SECOND game as a college player. the expectations that some fans have is just ridiculous. Give these kids a chance... let em grow and develop. This instant gratification is really bad IMO. SOME players, a VERY few players, can right out of the box shine and you KNOW they are OAD and boun d for the league in a year . The vast majority need TIME and the ability and patience of coaches, teammates and yes FANS to let that happen and let the maturity take hold is vital

Seventh is going to be a very very good player. Let's let him grow and become that player with time and maturity
 
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Tom79 said:
Seventh just needs to slow down a bit. He can shoot, defend and rebound.
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Tom, the potential and athleticism is there to be a fine player, but just a cautionary statement: he's still a fish out of water trying to learn PG --- it's not something that comes naturally to him, and you can see that in the spacing and taking the ball into no-man's land. I posted earlier that I understand why Roy is letting him concentrate on learning ths position this season, but there are also gonna be bumps in that road. If/when the rotation shrinks I wouldn't be surprised to see Nate play some 1 because of his experience, especially when Theo returns.
 
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montana_heel said:
For some reason, I had it in my head that Seventh was someone that UNC would try to move to point guard. Does anyone know if he played the point in high school or AAU?
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Actually the desire to have him play point from his camp challenged our recruitment of him, as he was getting promises of starting and playing point exclusively elsewhere. I was told that Roy told him he would get a chance to learn PG here but was ultimately a Combo. And that makes sense when you consider he comes in with Joel Berry here now and Jalek Felton coming next.

On other words, we want him to learn the complex PG position here for depth and flexibility, but if you have, say. Jalek and 7th playing together, who makes more sense playing point? I mean, Jalek can play on or off ball, but the key is he plays PG like it's in his genes --- oh, wait ;)
 
Yeah, it is going to take him some time to learn the PG position. IMO, he has the best vision on the team but still has a lot to learn about all of the little things that it takes to be a PG at this level (which should be expected as a freshman obviously). When you watch Berry run the point the offense looks different and it isn't always even easy to see why. There are just a ton of things that goes into running a team efficiently and a lot of that has to do with a total understanding on the offense and all the pieces. The good thing for Seventh is he is behind one of the best PGs in the country so has a hell of a guy to learn from besides just the coaches.

As for his athleticism, he probably just isn't completely comfortable yet letting loose in what is a different level of play. I can't wait to watch him grow though.
 
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I know it is early and the competition so far not top shelf. That said this group of freshmen has looked better to my eyes than any we have had in some time. I understand the brightest lights are yet to come, but so far none of the guys looks scared to be out there, or really even "out of place". Lots to learn? Sure. But all seem to have potential to contribute this season. I like it!
 
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Great point soap.
Yeah gary, learning PG at our place is about as tough as it gets for a freshman. But Seventh will be just fine in time. I also notice all the players seem to be great with each other as to chemistry. A lot to be said for that piece of the puzzle.
 
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Archer2 said:
7th had 6 more assists tonight. He may already be the best passer on the team. He needs to tighten up his handle but IMO, his future lies at the PG position. His court vision is exceptional. He is also going to be a very good defender. Can't wait to see him fully healthy.
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There are a coupe things arch, first I do think he needs to slow down just a bit, pick your times to hit the after burners but being the fastest guy to get to no mans land does not help you, a lesson Ty had to learn, a lesson basically most all our past PGs had to learn, including Joel.

It is hard enough to be a UNC PG when you are playing with experienced guys, our PGs have to not only know exactly what they are supposed to do but they as well have to have a great understand for what your mates responsibilities are as well. Problem is no matter how well 7th may understand his role, most often he finds himself in with Tony and Brob, freshmen that are as well trying to learn their roles and what they are supposed to do. Example, 7th out on a break vs Tulsa I believe it was, had Tony and I think Justin out with him, Tony ends up beside Justin and 7th had no driving lane nor passing lane, ended up forcing it and picking up the charge. No one filled the other wing to give 7th the pass option and yeah, 7th out ran his mates hurting his pass option even more. Yes, that was inexperience from 7th but it was as well his mates not helping him as much as they should have.
 
Typical freshman play so far. Ups and downs. Most concerning to me is his inability to stay in front of his guy laterally. He gets beat bad off the dribble, more so than any kids we've had in a while at that position.
 
His play will be fine. The biggest thing I'm noticing so far (early) is his attitude, facial expressions and body language on the bench. I'll not make a full assumption yet, but it isn't what I would hope to see.
 
NCAAUCoach said:
His play will be fine. The biggest thing I'm noticing so far (early) is his attitude, facial expressions and body language on the bench. I'll not make a full assumption yet, but it isn't what I would hope to see.
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He doesn't look happy? Least that what I keep hearing. Let's just hope he is homesick
 
trestyles said:
He doesn't look happy? Least that what I keep hearing. Let's just hope he is homesick
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First thing I thought of as well. Remember during his recruitment there was some concern about his mom wanting him to stay home.
 
Personally by mid season (it's close today) I think I'll be much more comfortable with Seventh spelling JB than I would be Nate. I appreciate how hard Nate has worked and how much he has improved in some aspects but I don't think seeing the floor beyond the current snapshot is one of them. I also think we'll get some big contributions from Nate in a few games but not as a PG. Seventh will still have ups and downs throughout this season I'm sure but if he can sure up the defensive end and the game slows down for him a bit he will outperform my expectations coming into the season easily.
 
You get more playing time with superior performance. My read is that he is not the "happy go lucky" type like Meeks and Pinson. He is down on himself because he knows he can do better. He can't be unhappy about playing time because he is getting playing time.
 
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The young man is just coming off an injury, and is trying to adjust to A) the college game as a whole. B) Roy's system C) Everything that Roy has put in his head for the past 5 weeks, which is prolly a lot to sift through.
He may look frustrated, but, its more likely he wants to have immediate success and he has placed a larger burden on himself for it and complete success as a UNC PG is going to take on-court time.
He'll learn a lot by watching Joel, and the adjustments needed will come eventually.

Gotta say that I like what I see after just 3 games, all things considered.

jmho
 
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There was an article I just read that he states that he is about 85%...he and Roy both know he is not playing up to his potential, chiefly because of this injury thing.

Give him some time and more chances to become comfortable and also HEAL BTW Roy refers to him as Sixth or Eighth...until he is back to the explosive player he recruited.

He will be fine
 
I am enjoying what I see with 7th. I'd even go so far to say he's over achieved somewhat.
I'm not fussed with his facial expressions, mainly cause if he was unhappy in the team he wouldn't be working his tail off like he is.
Who knows, it could be frustration from the lingering injury, it could be homesick, or maybe a pretty co-ed didn't talk to him after class!
 
I heard coming in that 7th was a very intense player, a guy who was very hard on himself. Nothing I've seen so far contradicts that. I ask you, if he were unhappy, would he be sharing the ball like he is or would he be hunting his shot? He's the best passer on the team.

I think he's just frustrated at being hobbled by nagging injuries. When I saw him drive the lane and miss a wide open jam, you could see his frustration. I think he wants so badly to play well that it's bothering him.

He's going to be veeeeery good when he gets healthy and fully transitions to PG. Book it Danno!
 
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trestyles said:
after the Maui tourney. Maybe Roy should let that ankle rest for a little bit.
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Tre . . you may be right, but, somehow I don't think Roy would be giving him 17 minutes of court time if he thought that ankle needed rest. Coach Williams is very cautious, even over cautious when it comes to injuries and bringing a player back from them.

Seventh is on the upswing from his injury, getting back into playing shape may take several weeks. Ankle injuries take time and reconditioning, this is an on the job, in-work rehabbing process we are currently watching IMO . .
 
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I agree about the passing. That is what led me to create this thread. Just an observation when looking. I try to ignore negative plays for freshman since they will happen. I am looking for just glimpses of what could be and saw that in his passing.

I did notice that he is finding it difficult keeping guards in front of him. I kind of attribute that to not being 100%. Might be wrong but want to see him completely healthy and more integrated into the UNC way before attacking him for any issues. As someone said, there is a lot of change in a freshman's life besides basketball going on right now.

BTW, I like intense and kids putting pressure on themselves. Berry has that and I think it is great.
 
I think he's been fine so far. Pressing a bit sure and I know he's not 100 percent. I remember Harrison barnes his freshman year( not at all saying seventh will have that same impact this season)but.. he was struggling a lot then during a game against Kentucky at home he went up and had a spectacular dunk over two guys, after that he just took off.

I feel like it will be similar here.. Seventh will make a spectacular play and the lights will sort of just go on when he realizes he can do it at this level.
 
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I think he has athletic ability that few players possess, ability that has gained him notoriety since he became a teenager. Not having full use of that ability is frustrating the ish out of him. When he does, watch out.
 
montana_heel said:
I agree about the passing. That is what led me to create this thread. Just an observation when looking. I try to ignore negative plays for freshman since they will happen. I am looking for just glimpses of what could be and saw that in his passing.

I did notice that he is finding it difficult keeping guards in front of him. I kind of attribute that to not being 100%. Might be wrong but want to see him completely healthy and more integrated into the UNC way before attacking him for any issues. As someone said, there is a lot of change in a freshman's life besides basketball going on right now.

BTW, I like intense and kids putting pressure on themselves. Berry has that and I think it is great.
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7th struggle to stay in front of guys is 2 things, first don't minimize his injury, he had one of those higher ankle sprains that take a while to get back from and you will see that mostly when he needs to move laterally. But he is well discovering that he is now having to stay in front of college level athletes, not private school high school kids. He gets to learn that every day in practice going against guys like Joel and kenny and that is great for his learning curve, as was Kenny having to guard Marcus so often in last years practices molded him or Joel going against marcus the season before.

In limited minutes and with all the struggles this kid is dropping 5-6 dimes a game and he is working as hard as he can out there and I can see game to game progression in him. I think he has been better on the defensive end each game I have seen and will get much better as he learns our sets to the extent he is playing more than thinking. Considering what his challenge is and considering that ankle is not right I am very happy with what I see from him at this point in the season.
 
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Like I said, I don't want to read into it too much yet. I played and coached a long time and I've been around a lot of players. I was at the game Sunday and watched the bench a lot. I don't know Seventh personally, just an early observation. It's one thing to be intense, but another to seem unhappy.

I hope I'm wrong. I really do.
 
Coach, I noticed the same thing in the season opener. Didn't outright look unhappy per se, but just not "into it" like you see most freshman.
 
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gary-7 said:
Tom, the potential and athleticism is there to be a fine player, but just a cautionary statement: he's still a fish out of water trying to learn PG --- it's not something that comes naturally to him, and you can see that in the spacing and taking the ball into no-man's land. I posted earlier that I understand why Roy is letting him concentrate on learning ths position this season, but there are also gonna be bumps in that road. If/when the rotation shrinks I wouldn't be surprised to see Nate play some 1 because of his experience, especially when Theo returns.
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I haven't paid close attention to this but my sense is that 7th isn't usually in alone. Either Joel is in with him or, more often, Nate is. Which makes sense - because you can let 7th handle it knowing someone else is right there to take over if he gets in trouble.

Sort of like when Marcus was a freshman with Dex in there with him. Took some pressure off as Marcus learned the college game. 7th isn't under the same pressure as Marcus was by any stretch of the imagination, but it's still nice for his development to have another ball handler in there.

The one time I noticed that 7th was in alone (without Joel or Berry) during the LBS game, I noticed it because Kenny brought up the ball (and looked fine doing it, I might add).
 
I haven't really noticed any of this stuff. Regardless, he is transitioning pretty well IMO. For a freshman PG in Roy's system he is doing well.
 
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