Stats and stuff (Syracuse game)...

[gary-7]

With 7:38 to go in the second half, Syracuse finally... FINALLY got called for an illegal screen. I started counting in the first half and the one that got called was actually #14 of the evening. SMDH. ACC officiating continues to be scandalously bad.

Anyway.... tonight I'm gonna start with stats, because the "stuff" is so damned vital:

The bad:
- 3/16 from 3. Yikes! Dome done bit us.

- Only 10 Fast Break and 12 Secondary Break points. Credit 'Cuse --- the got back on D.

The good:
- We still managed to shoot 52-and-a-half% FGs!

- 17/20 FTs. Folks, that's championship stuff right there, especially when your Bigs cash in.

- 24 Assists on 32 made buckets... against only 9 TOs. Damned straight.

- Hung 51 on those jabronies in the 2nd Half. Take that, Zone-Boys!

- (speaking of an overwrought subject) They were firing 3s from everywhere and anywhere --- 31 to be exact (and several damned long rebounds to show for them), but the key is we held them to 3/13 in the second half.

- We scored 46 pts in paint (on a night where transition points were hard to come by). HUGE!

Stuff --- this was a game about moments (see below):
- Hicks continues to be an offensive BEAST in the paint (on a night where Meeks still couldn't give us as much as we want). Finishing strong and making his FTs! 21 big points.

- Honestly, Brice had a bad defensive night, but he sure as hell turned play-maker when Roy deployed him at the FT line on Hi-Lo entries (more below).

- Jackson's stroke still ain't there, but he had his patented slashing game going.

- Roy made a great second half adjustment. Syracuse's infamous 2-3 match-up Zone was stifling our perimeter looks with their size out front, but that very matching-up made them vulnerable inside (I'll probably have a hoops-geek post on that this week). Roy baited them by surrounding the zone to draw a cheating baseline guy to the perimeter and popped Brice to the High post and Hicks went to dinner on the Hi-Lo entries. 8 dimes for Big Brice!

- Three words: Joel F***ing Berry. Young fella is just a stone-cold nasty-a$$ DOG... and with all due respect to the great Adam Lucas, if you write a "Rapid Reactions" piece on this one and your first sentence doesn't mention JB, well... you were watching a different ball game. 14 pts, 4 Assists (5 more blown), 4 Steals (2 more caused TOs), and a Block of a 3-pointer he again didn't credited for. That's only part of the story (again, see below)...

- Moment #1: Last minute of the first half, and I ain't liking the way things are going at all... then the damned ref bails them out and now they get to hold for the last shot up 33-31. They get it to their 6'6 PG Gbinije, and with his ego hurtin' from being shut out thus far by little Berry, you just knew he was gonna go for an isolation. That's when I hunkered down in my standard coach's crouch on the edge of my chair (as I always do ---- can't help myself ), and of course my buddy I was watching with laughed at me (as he always does), and I implored out loud "C'mon JB, pick his pocket". Sure enough, the former dookie tried to cross over and Berry got 'im (and my buddy said "damned if he didn't!") --- popped it to Brice who finished on the other end at the buzzer to give us some (all too rare) halftime momentum. HeeeyUGE play.

- Moment #2: Mid-second half. Nate (who had a rough game) grabs a steal in a Scramble and pitches ahead for a sweet dime on a rare Fast-Break conversion at a bumpy stretch of the game. Much needed.

- Moment #3: With 7:47 to go and the score 56-55 Syracuse, Berry re-enters for the stretch, and with our best offensive lineup on the floor (JB/MP/JJ/BJ/IH) we close on a 29-17 run (that's 3.72 PPM, folks!). Ball-game, baby!

- Moment #4: With 6:07 to go and still trailing 59-58 JB nails a cold-blooded 3 to give us a lead we would not relinquish.

- Moment #5 With under 6 minutes to go Roy makes a key defensive switch, putting Berry on Cooney, who had lit up Marcus and/or Nate for 23 points thus far. That put a stop to that nonsense, as Cooney made only one more (highly contested) jumper and a couple of cheap FTs the rest of the way.

Y'all know I was worried about this one --- had all the ingredients for an upset --- but as some have pointed out in another thread, this team ain't havin' it. GREAT WIN!

 

[Archer2]

It was a great win Gary. Teams have to be concerned that we can win a game like this with Marcus having an off night. This is another game that we probably don't win last year.

JB was sensational on defense, he may be the best PG in the conference defensively. And Brice's 8 dimes were beauteous to behold.

I keep harping on it but when you have 4-5 guys who can score 15 points on a given night, and several capable/willing passers, it makes you hard to guard.

It is amply demonstrated in our improved offensive efficiency, especially in our half court sets. For a UNC team to shoot over 50% AGAIN with relatively few fast break points makes me very happy. Teams will slow the tempo in the NCAA's which has been our bane the last 2-3 years. If we can execute efficiently in the half court to go along with our fast break, watch out.

And knock on wood, but our FT shooting is night and day better than last year. That alone has won some close games for is this year.

Solid, solid road win!

 

[TarHeelTroy]

Great write-up gary and excellent points Archer. On the FT shooting which was excellent and Bilas even commented on how it's a strength for us where it used to be a weakness in past few seasons, but one thing that baffled me about Bilas is he said there at the end, "Tar Heels could be beating them by more if they'd hit some free throws." I think it was right after Brice missed one. Uhhh that must have just been slip of the tongue by Bilas there. LOVE our FT shooting this season! Can't say enough about our big fellas (Hicks--amazing, Brice--rock solid) hitting free throws at 80%. HUGE! Brice's passing and Isaiah cutting behind the zone tonight in the 2nd half was a CLINIC!!

Great great road win.

 

[Archer2]

Yep Troy, it was indeed a clinic on how to attack Syracuse's vaunted zone. What an unselfish team we have, a synergistic group where the total is greater than the sum of the parts.

Absolutely love this team!

 

[CrazyHeel]

It seemed to me that every time Syracuse made their little comebacks Justin was out of the game.

 

[DSouthr]

Yep Troy, it was indeed a clinic on how to attack Syracuse's vaunted zone. What an unselfish team we have, a synergistic group where the total is greater than the sum of the parts.

Absolutely love this team!

Arch, it was a clinic when we actually attacked the zone but those "well nothing else is happening so think I will toss up a trey and see what happens" moments were to frequent. Those are the type of shots that cuse zone invites you to take if your Name is Theo Pinson.

what struck me was how well drilled our players are, even on a night where we clearly did not bring our A game it was execution of designed sets by players that have been taught how to attack that won the day. Syracuse players were allowed to climb our guys backs all game for those offensive rebounds but our players kept their emotions in check and executed what they have been so well taught. Everyone knows, the best way to attack that Syracuse zone is to exploit the short corners but that is easier said than done, last night Roy's team showed you how it is done. Amazing for a coach that has seen the game pass him by, don't ya think? LOL

 

[gary-7]

JB was sensational on defense, he may be the best PG in the conference defensively. And Brice's 8 dimes were beauteous to behold.

Arch, I know I shouldn't let it bother me, so I just laugh derisively when I see passive-aggressive nonsense like Andrew wrote in the front page article saying that Berry's defense has "shown improvement in recent games". GMAFB. Truth is JB's played great defense all season, and he flat did number on their 6'6" Sr PG and former Burger Boy --- and then put the glove on Cooney.

Ah, human nature --- folks just can't let go of their little narratives, no matter how wrong they were from the get-go.

 

[DSouthr]

Arch, I know I shouldn't let it bother me, so I just laugh derisively when I see passive-aggressive nonsense like Andrew wrote in the front page article saying that Berry's defense has "shown improvement in recent games". GMAFB. Truth is JB's played great defense all season, and he flat did number on their 6'6" Sr PG and former Burger Boy --- and then put the glove on Cooney.

Ah, human nature --- folks just can't let go of their little narratives, no matter how wrong they were from the get-go.

Joel Berry comes to play every single game, he may push things to hard at times but that is more his mates don't always come as ready to play. Joey is absolutely, as gary so well tags him, is a junk yard dawg on defense. A great example of this gary referenced above, cuse guard tried to rub Joel off on a pick, Joel faught his way thru that and stayed step for step even after the cuse guard took the sharp turn to the paint, Berry was in his grill, and I think they credited Brice with the steal but Joel was the reason for it and off Brice goes to score the final points of the first half and tie the game. Great job by Brice for sure but fantastic on ball defense by Joel Berry.

Cooney lite Marcus up all night, I mean hey, he did, Berry shut down his higher scoring counter part and a few times moved over to cool Cooney down. Thank goodness Joel, Brice, Hicks, and at times Jackson came to play because everyone else seemed to be a step slow.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Arch, I know I shouldn't let it bother me, so I just laugh derisively when I see passive-aggressive nonsense like Andrew wrote in the front page article saying that Berry's defense has "shown improvement in recent games". GMAFB. Truth is JB's played great defense all season, and he flat did number on their 6'6" Sr PG and former Burger Boy --- and then put the glove on Cooney.

Ah, human nature --- folks just can't let go of their little narratives, no matter how wrong they were from the get-go.

You could be a man and tag him, @andrew jones

Nice write-up in the OP.

 

[gary-7]

You could be a man and tag him, @andrew jones

Nice write-up in the OP.

Oh, I've called him out before . Hey, I like AJ --- does a good job covering --- but he has been slow on the uptake on this one.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

With 7:38 to go in the second half, Syracuse finally... FINALLY got called for an illegal screen. I started counting in the first half and the one that got called was actually #14 of the evening. SMDH. ACC officiating continues to be scandalously bad.

Anyway.... tonight I'm gonna start with stats, because the "stuff" is so damned vital:

The bad:
- 3/16 from 3. Yikes! Dome done bit us.

- Only 10 Fast Break and 12 Secondary Break points. Credit 'Cuse --- the got back on D.

The good:
- We still managed to shoot 52-and-a-half% FGs!

- 17/20 FTs. Folks, that's championship stuff right there, especially when your Bigs cash in.

- 24 Assists on 32 made buckets... against only 9 TOs. Damned straight.

- Hung 51 on those jabronies in the 2nd Half. Take that, Zone-Boys!

- (speaking of an overwrought subject) They were firing 3s from everywhere and anywhere --- 31 to be exact (and several damned long rebounds to show for them), but the key is we held them to 3/13 in the second half.

- We scored 46 pts in paint (on a night where transition points were hard to come by). HUGE!

Stuff --- this was a game about moments (see below):
- Hicks continues to be an offensive BEAST in the paint (on a night where Meeks still couldn't give us as much as we want). Finishing strong and making his FTs! 21 big points.

- Honestly, Brice had a bad defensive night, but he sure as hell turned play-maker when Roy deployed him at the FT line on Hi-Lo entries (more below).

- Jackson's stroke still ain't there, but he had his patented slashing game going.

- Roy made a great second half adjustment. Syracuse's infamous 2-3 match-up Zone was stifling our perimeter looks with their size out front, but that very matching-up made them vulnerable inside (I'll probably have a hoops-geek post on that this week). Roy baited them by surrounding the zone to draw a cheating baseline guy to the perimeter and popped Brice to the High post and Hicks went to dinner on the Hi-Lo entries. 8 dimes for Big Brice!

- Three words: Joel F***ing Berry. Young fella is just a stone-cold nasty-a$$ DOG... and with all due respect to the great Adam Lucas, if you write a "Rapid Reactions" piece on this one and your first sentence doesn't mention JB, well... you were watching a different ball game. 14 pts, 4 Assists (5 more blown), 4 Steals (2 more caused TOs), and a Block of a 3-pointer he again didn't credited for. That's only part of the story (again, see below)...

- Moment #1: Last minute of the first half, and I ain't liking the way things are going at all... then the damned ref bails them out and now they get to hold for the last shot up 33-31. They get it to their 6'6 PG Gbinije, and with his ego hurtin' from being shut out thus far by little Berry, you just knew he was gonna go for an isolation. That's when I hunkered down in my standard coach's crouch on the edge of my chair (as I always do ---- can't help myself ), and of course my buddy I was watching with laughed at me (as he always does), and I implored out loud "C'mon JB, pick his pocket". Sure enough, the former dookie tried to cross over and Berry got 'im (and my buddy said "damned if he didn't!") --- popped it to Brice who finished on the other end at the buzzer to give us some (all too rare) halftime momentum. HeeeyUGE play.

- Moment #2: Mid-second half. Nate (who had a rough game) grabs a steal in a Scramble and pitches ahead for a sweet dime on a rare Fast-Break conversion at a bumpy stretch of the game. Much needed.

- Moment #3: With 7:47 to go and the score 56-55 Syracuse, Berry re-enters for the stretch, and with our best offensive lineup on the floor (JB/MP/JJ/BJ/IH) we close on a 29-17 run (that's 3.72 PPM, folks!). Ball-game, baby!

- Moment #4: With 6:07 to go and still trailing 59-58 JB nails a cold-blooded 3 to give us a lead we would not relinquish.

- Moment #5 With under 6 minutes to go Roy makes a key defensive switch, putting Berry on Cooney, who had lit up Marcus and/or Nate for 23 points thus far. That put a stop to that nonsense, as Cooney made only one more (highly contested) jumper and a couple of cheap FTs the rest of the way.

Y'all know I was worried about this one --- had all the ingredients for an upset --- but as some have pointed out in another thread, this team ain't havin' it. GREAT WIN!

Ya know, before the game, I thought for sure that Justin Jackson was going to rip the Cuse zone apart from the short corner. It's his game. It's what he does. Little did I know that it would be Brice feeding Hicks in that exact same spot. I count 3-4 of the EXACT SAME play in a row in the second half. The ball goes to the corner and reverses all the way to the opposite wing. Brice flashes high and gets a quality feed. He's knocked down a couple already from there so the entire bottom of the zone cheats up to help and BAM!, Brice with the nifty dime to a crashing Hicks from the ball side!

 

[gary-7]

Ya know, before the game, I thought for sure that Justin Jackson was going to rip the Cuse zone apart from the short corner. It's his game. It's what he does. Little did I know that it would be Brice feeding Hicks in that exact same spot. I count 3-4 of the EXACT SAME play in a row in the second half. The ball goes to the corner and reverses all the way to the opposite wing. Brice flashes high and gets a quality feed. He's knocked down a couple already from there so the entire bottom of the zone cheats up to help and BAM!, Brice with the nifty dime to a crashing Hicks from the ball side!

Yep. Roy used JJ as a perimeter decoy and a wing entry passer to the high post.

 

[Archer2]

Arch, it was a clinic when we actually attacked the zone but those "well nothing else is happening so think I will toss up a trey and see what happens" moments were to frequent. Those are the type of shots that cuse zone invites you to take if your Name is Theo Pinson.

what struck me was how well drilled our players are, even on a night where we clearly did not bring our A game it was execution of designed sets by players that have been taught how to attack that won the day. Syracuse players were allowed to climb our guys backs all game for those offensive rebounds but our players kept their emotions in check and executed what they have been so well taught. Everyone knows, the best way to attack that Syracuse zone is to exploit the short corners but that is easier said than done, last night Roy's team showed you how it is done. Amazing for a coach that has seen the game pass him by, don't ya think? LOL

I agree that we sometimes settled for a three too early in the clock, especially in the first half. But in the second half, Coach appeared to emphasize getting the ball in the middle of the zone and flashing our forwards to the rim and Brice was spot on with his passes to Isaiah. The announcers were raving about it. When you shoot over 50% from the field as we have 10 of the last 11 games, it generally means people are moving without the ball, being unselfish by passing the rock, and are consequently getting good looks at the basket.

It's beautiful to watch, poetry in motion.

Our defense will get better when Kennedy is fully integrated into the team once again and we'll warm up again from long distance. I'm very confident of that. And that doesn't bode well for our competition.

 

[ChiShankCity]

I think the season has followed a pattern. Typically when teams play with us, they hit a high volume of 3's. Cooney hit a 3 to give Cuse a 56-50 lead at the 8:30 mark.

After that, we outscore Cuse 34-17.

Cuse goes 0/4 from 3 for the final 8:30 and 2 of those 3's came in the last 30 seconds when the game was decided. So essentially, 2 meaningful 3 point attempts in the final 8:30.

So in the first 31:30, Cuse 9/27 3's. Not a great percentage, but such a high volume of attempts led to makes and Cuse was in a position to win the game at the point.

We shut off the 3 point line... It was probably aided by our efficient offense and getting to the free throw line.... But once those 3's were not an option for Cuse, it was over.

Cuse shot 19/32 from 2 and lost the game by double digits. I'll say it over and over again... Teams will not 2 point us to death.

 

[Archer2]

Cue the broken record. Heaven forbid that a coach with over 900 wins should have his team in a position to possibly win at home in front of 25,000 fans.

 

[Heelicious]

With 7:38 to go in the second half, Syracuse finally... FINALLY got called for an illegal screen. I started counting in the first half and the one that got called was actually #14 of the evening. SMDH. ACC officiating continues to be scandalously bad.

Anyway.... tonight I'm gonna start with stats, because the "stuff" is so damned vital:

Gary - nice post. I agree on the illegal screen stuff. I thought that was supposed to be a point of emphasis this year. You don't have to be moving forward and run into someone for it to be a foul on you for an illegal screen. But guys seem to get away with the continuous moving hedge that is really hard to get around, even if there isn't a lot of contact.

Key stats last night, I put in another post... we were 12/13 (92%) over the last 8:30, with the only "miss" being on that crazy play where the guy blocked Marcus's layup off the rim. ...
and we were 9/12 on FTs in that stretch, as well. Only Brice missing one, and Hicks missing two, but on separate trips to the line. We (Hicks) were perfect from the line in first half. And "all" those misses were one point misses, ie - not front ends of 1-1's..... and on one of the misses by Hicks we got a tipout by Brice and scored anyway.... so dang I don't think you can get any more productive than that.

Berry did play like his usual bulldog self, and that 3 he hit was maybe the biggest shot in the game (we were up by one at the time). But I still would give the game ball to Hicks. Sure he did a lot from the line and on dunks, but he earns that as well. He is at the right place at the right time, and catches the ball and dunks it / finishes strong, including a sweet and-1 about ten feet away in the lane. Tough shot, looked super smooth. We should not take that for granted. We've seen plenty of guys who finish softly and look around for somebody to block them. And both Hicks and Brice have just such nice shooting touch, including finishing on plays where they get fouled. Seems like they've stepped that up, for sure vs. a couple years ago.

About Joel James. All I can say is "I was wrong. Especially when he plays like he did yesterday". He seems pretty transformed, and seems to have honed in on what he is called to do, and not do.... and doesn't try to do too much. I believe nobody tries any harder out there, or wants to win - and help his team win - any more than Joel James. I need to cut him some slack.

Justin - while people said he was a decoy, or had an off shooting night.... still had a sneaky-quiet-efficient 16 on 8/11. Still love how he can control his body and shot in midair.... so often he gets shots off before the defender knows he's going to shoot it. Very hard to stop. His floater game is a thing of beauty.

I am glad the guys have a week until their next game, and hopefully have time to get Meeks more up to speed. Having to sit on a loss to an inferior, much less deep team, for a week, would've been hard to swallow psychologically

 

[andrew jones]

Arch, I know I shouldn't let it bother me, so I just laugh derisively when I see passive-aggressive nonsense like Andrew wrote in the front page article saying that Berry's defense has "shown improvement in recent games". GMAFB. Truth is JB's played great defense all season, and he flat did number on their 6'6" Sr PG and former Burger Boy --- and then put the glove on Cooney.

Ah, human nature --- folks just can't let go of their little narratives, no matter how wrong they were from the get-go.

Gary, you are correct, Joel is playing good defense now but he wasn't consistently early in the season, just ask Roy. He hit on it several times in Nov. and Dec. I talked to Joel about it a few times myself. Not sure you know much about how I cover teams, but I am happy to change my narrative when the narrative should be changed. I've done so with this team just in the last few weeks, Berry included, as evidenced by last night.

It's impossible to note every positive after every game, it would be too long and few people would read it. Plus, with respect to Berry, I wanted to see him for several games in ACC play to get a truer read on where he is defensively, and after four games, including two on the road, I decided it was time to note it last night.

Keep up your posts, it's excellent stuff just like with the OP and so many others in this thread. That's what makes our boards so enjoyable. And feel free to call me out or question me anytime. I'm fine with it.

 

[gary-7]

Gary, you are correct, Joel is playing good defense now but he wasn't consistently early in the season, just ask Roy. He hit on it several times in Nov. and Dec. I talked to Joel about it a few times myself. Not sure you know much about how I cover teams, but I am happy to change my narrative when the narrative should be changed. I've done so with this team just in the last few weeks, Berry included, as evidenced by last night.

It's impossible to note every positive after every game, it would be too long and few people would read it. Plus, with respect to Berry, I wanted to see him for several games in ACC play to get a truer read on where he is defensively, and after four games, including two on the road, I decided it was time to note it last night.

Keep up your posts, it's excellent stuff just like with the OP and so many others in this thread. That's what makes our boards so enjoyable. And feel free to call me out or question me anytime. I'm fine with it.

Hey, no worries brother. I keep up with your stuff and like I said, you do a great job covering the team (and I know you occasionally have the dubious pleasure of being on the receiving end of Roy's pique when he doesn't like a question ).
As for the narrative, I'll still take issue in that while, yeah, everybody should improve as they go and he has, the fact remains JB has been really good all season. Has he made mistakes? --- taken the wrong angle or picked the wrong time to help down, etc? --- yeah. But relative to everyone else, not very many. Most of his (few) issues early on were at least abetted, and in many cases caused by not having an experienced running mate at the 2 and/or getting hung out to dry by his front line.
Roy ain't gonna throw out too much public cred to a Soph, but Ol' Roy knows what he has in Berry --- that switch on Cooney down the stretch speaks to that. And from a coaching perspective, a Carolina PG has a ton of defensive responsibilities, and not just on he ball. Watching that kid away from the ball on D is a clinic of toughness and smarts (not to mention stamina).
Anyway, AJ, good on ya for responding and keep up the good work .

 

[andrew jones]

Hey, no worries brother. I keep up with your stuff and like I said, you do a great job covering the team (and I know you occasionally have the dubious pleasure of being on the receiving end of Roy's pique when he doesn't like a question ).
As for the narrative, I'll still take issue in that while, yeah, everybody should improve as they go and he has, the fact remains JB has been really good all season. Has he made mistakes? --- taken the wrong angle or picked the wrong time to help down, etc? --- yeah. But relative to everyone else, not very many. Most of his (few) issues early on were at least abetted, and in many cases caused by not having an experienced running mate at the 2 and/or getting hung out to dry by his front line.
Roy ain't gonna throw out too much public cred to a Soph, but Ol' Roy knows what he has in Berry --- that switch on Cooney down the stretch speaks to that. And from a coaching perspective, a Carolina PG has a ton of defensive responsibilities, and not just on he ball. Watching that kid away from the ball on D is a clinic of toughness and smarts (not to mention stamina).
Anyway, AJ, good on ya for responding and keep up the good work .

No doubt Roy isn't going to gush about a newbie starter, but Roy has also been less critical of this team in public because I think early on he realized it wasn't the most productive approach. The mistakes Berry was making earlier are fewer now, and you are right, relative to some others he's been borderline outstanding. But he hasn't been outstanding, only very good of late. LOVE the potential and the toughness, and if you're a Berry guy you're going to enjoy a piece I'm working on about his toughness and grit. A sneak preview into part of it is from the interview I did with him last night.

As for Roy, I see you picked up on that. I have no problem with him taking issue at times, hell sometimes I am sure it' justified. And I am also a believer that coaches should call out publicly or privately stuff written and said about their teams if they feel strongly enough. If we can criticize them why shouldn't they be allowed to criticize us. I like and respect Roy and believe we have a functioning relationship, which is really all that matters.

 

[soap - new and improved]

Don't worry about Gary where it comes to Joel Berry, Andrew. Gary has had his Mom Goggles firmly in place for a long time where JB is concerned.

The young man has been improving, and it is really nice to see. He is a big key in our continued success.

 

[gary-7]

Don't worry about Gary where it comes to Joel Berry, Andrew. Gary has had his Mom Goggles firmly in place for a long time where JB is concerned.

The young man has been improving, and it is really nice to see. He is a big key in our continued success.

Nope. Coach-(and ex-PG)-Goggles .

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

About Joel James. All I can say is "I was wrong. Especially when he plays like he did yesterday". He seems pretty transformed, and seems to have honed in on what he is called to do, and not do.... and doesn't try to do too much. I believe nobody tries any harder out there, or wants to win - and help his team win - any more than Joel James. I need to cut him some slack.

I don't think you were wrong so much as premature. We are now seeing play from him - in early January - that he didn't show until later last season. Arguably even better than last season. If he keeps this up, he'll be a solid role player. And imagine if he gets a little better, like he did late last season.

Isaiah has also upped his game, big time.

Brice could be headed toward the lottery if he keeps this up.

Now if Kennedy can just get in gear....

It's been so long since we've had a really good front line. It feels darn good. I hope it isn't just the Carolina blue glasses I'm wearing.

 

[gary-7]

Now if Kennedy can just get in gear....

It's been so long since we've had a really good front line. It feels darn good. I hope it isn't just the Carolina blue glasses I'm wearing.

If he does we are on the verge of watching something very, very special...

 

[andrew jones]

If he does we are on the verge of watching something very, very special...

The emergence of Hicks, suddenly stable play by James, and the elevation of Brice's game will allow Kennedy time to get back into a groove and perhaps find one that more directly suits the Heels' needs. A few NBA scouts have told me over the last year, and most recently right before Kennedy's injury, that he was the top NBA prospect on the team - I'm just the messenger here, not promoting this - so the young man does have game, we've seen it this year, he just needs some times to smooth some things and identity what most works for him.

 

[Archer2]

That's a little surprising to hear. Regardless, if he elevates his game, it could take us to another level.

 

[DSouthr]

The emergence of Hicks, suddenly stable play by James, and the elevation of Brice's game will allow Kennedy time to get back into a groove and perhaps find one that more directly suits the Heels' needs. A few NBA scouts have told me over the last year, and most recently right before Kennedy's injury, that he was the top NBA prospect on the team - I'm just the messenger here, not promoting this - so the young man does have game, we've seen it this year, he just needs some times to smooth some things and identity what most works for him.

And how many double burbons did it take for them to tell you that Andrew?

No offense to Meeks, very good basketball IQ, very good hands for sure but for anyone calling themselves a NBA scout to suggest such a thing amazes me. 6'7-8", average to below average reach, below average verticle for most NBA players, and a below the rim center, really, is that what the NBA covets these days? here are POINT GUARDS in the NBA taller, longer, and way more verticle? Brice, Hicks, Marcus, and Jackson are all IMHO more N BA level guys than Meeks. Now if he all the sudden developes this sweet jump shot out to the NBA trey line and hits it consistently then OK, we can talk but other wise I have a BIG OLE ???

 

[andrew jones]

And how many double burbons did it take for them to tell you that Andrew?

No offense to Meeks, very good basketball IQ, very good hands for sure but for anyone calling themselves a NBA scout to suggest such a thing amazes me. 6'7-8", average to below average reach, below average verticle for most NBA players, and a below the rim center, really, is that what the NBA covets these days? here are POINT GUARDS in the NBA taller, longer, and way more verticle? Brice, Hicks, Marcus, and Jackson are all IMHO more N BA level guys than Meeks. Now if he all the sudden developes this sweet jump shot out to the NBA trey line and hits it consistently then OK, we can talk but other wise I have a BIG OLE ???

They look at players very differently than we do, and in his case I think it has more to do with him fitting a niche, which non-stars must have to stick in the league. Kennedy is seen as perhaps a more skilled but lesser version of Wes Unseld. The other players on the UNC roster aren't as defined.

A very close friend in the industry covered the Portland Trail Blazers after spending years covering college sports and golf, and the reason he took the gig was to learn more about how players fit in the league, what is technical about the league, and how the league scouts prospects. From him I learned a lot about fitting a specific niche as being a means to sticking in the league. Lots of really good college players don't make it and we scratch our heads, but it's often because they are really good at a lot of things but not damn good or great at one thing or don't fit specific roles. After the first 7 or so players on a team, clubs look for the niche guys more than the well rounded guys.

 

[gary-7]

The emergence of Hicks, suddenly stable play by James, and the elevation of Brice's game will allow Kennedy time to get back into a groove and perhaps find one that more directly suits the Heels' needs. A few NBA scouts have told me over the last year, and most recently right before Kennedy's injury, that he was the top NBA prospect on the team - I'm just the messenger here, not promoting this - so the young man does have game, we've seen it this year, he just needs some times to smooth some things and identity what most works for him.

That is all true AJ (and KM knows that). Since the cat has kind of gotten out of the bag on here previously, I can say now that I've known for a while that his intent has been to leave after this season. It will be interesting to see if the injury affects that (doubtful)... but hey if it motivates him to bust his ass to win it all, then that's fine.

Honestly, as for next season, my biggest concern is if the side-effect of Hicks' blowing up might be losing him as well . Tony Bradley and Luke Maye better be ready for some major minutes...

 

[andrew jones]

That is all true AJ (and KM knows that). Since the cat has kind of gotten out of the bag on here previously, I can say now that I've known for a while that his intent has been to leave after this season. It will be interesting to see if the injury affects that (doubtful)... but hey if it motivates him to bust his ass to win it all, then that's fine.

Honestly, as for next season, my biggest concern is if the side-effect of Hicks' blowing up might be losing him as well . Tony Bradley and Luke Maye better be ready for some major minutes...

You're referring to Meeks leaving early, right? That has been the understanding since late summer, and you can detect that through some of Roy's words, including the conversation he had with Kennedy in September about using this year to reach dreams.

But, reality sometimes sidetracks plans, so there's still a chance he comes back though it's not entirely expected.

As for Hicks, scouts are intrigued by him but want to see more. He still has a ton of developing to do, but the ones I've spoken to like his upside. The guess here is he will be back.

 

[UNCbeliever]

JJ's greatest asset is his "upside" and not what he's done on the court thus far. BUT, guys his size are the most numerous each year come draft time and NBA GM's typically take upside guys when they are either big men or sharp shooting guards. As for Meeks, I believe he has an NBA game...in TWO YEARS. Conditioning for a 72 game season is not in place and may not be there by end of year. He needs another year in my opinion.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Honestly, as for next season, my biggest concern is if the side-effect of Hicks' blowing up might be losing him as well . Tony Bradley and Luke Maye better be ready for some major minutes...

Yeah Gary, I said this on another thread. The way the last 8 or so games have gone I believe it's Hicks who's shown the most pro-tential.
If that happens, and Kennedy goes through with his intended departure, Roy will have to find help for Bradley and Maye: 5thyr transfer or a spring signing. Udoka would be a perfect fit.

 

[gary-7]

You're referring to Meeks leaving early, right? That has been the understanding since late summer, and you can detect that through some of Roy's words, including the conversation he had with Kennedy in September about using this year to reach dreams.

But, reality sometimes sidetracks plans, so there's still a chance he comes back though it's not entirely expected.

As for Hicks, scouts are intrigued by him but want to see more. He still has a ton of developing to do, but the ones I've spoken to like his upside. The guess here is he will be back.

Yeah, that's what I'm hoping --- that Hicks will want to come back and be the man in the paint.
My source on KM is well, the horse's mouth, and yeah it was decided this summer.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I'm still waiting for Kennedy to show he has the motor to succeed at he next level. The injury certainly didn't help in that regard - considering he was still learning how to learn how to use his slimmer body in actual games when the injury set him back.

I don't think there's any doubt that he could go pro this year, but I'd think the pro scouts would want to see more motor to pick him in the first round. JMO.

 

[Bubspub88]

There is anew addition to the staff this season that can give Kennedy some first hand info on the grind a big man goes through in the nba and May ran the floor much better. I also think Meeks leaves but would not be shocked to see him return