The future is bright

[Ozheelfan]

Yes, this season is already looking like a very 'fun' ride to watch and the upperclassmen are taking centre stage, just like Tar Heel seniors and juniors should.

But it's also exciting watching Tony, Brandon, Kenny step up and contribute! Seventh has had more good moments than bad, and he'll only get better. Even Shea Rush is looking like he'll contribute down the track (likely as a junior and senior, but he's long and athletic and plays with enthusiasm)

There's a great culture and feel about the entire team and the young-uns have bought in, without ego and with an attitude that says Carolina Ball is in good hands.

 

[Spaceytoyz]

Going to be tough next year though, decent recruits but most all the Talent leaves after this year... Pretty sure they will start the season in the top 15 because of Their name, but probably won't finish in the top 25., bubble team..

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

Berry, Pinson,JJ,Maye,Bradley??!? Felton,BRob,7th,Huff,Kenny..Bubble? Hahaha! Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Ozheelfan]

Berry, Pinson,JJ,Maye,Bradley??!? Felton,BRob,7th,Huff,Kenny..Bubble? Hahaha! Happy Thanksgiving!

I wouldn't count on Berry being back, especially if he achieves "all his goals" this season.
As for bubble or not - wasn't factoring that into consideration. I just wanted to say how much I like the frosh and sophs.... I reckon they've been under rated prior to this season too!

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

Everything I've heard Mr Berry will be back..he's a special player ! We'll be ok and in the tourney !

 

[Ozheelfan]

Everything I've heard Mr Berry will be back..he's a special player ! We'll be ok and in the tourney !

Yeah, I look at it as a "win-win":
If Berry leaves, it means he's climbed every mountain and us fans will be hungover till May.
If he stays it means there's unfinished business and the team will be led by the best in the country.
Can't see much downside in either scenario.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

THIS team was going to be a bubble team according to some.

 

[TRU CANE]

Knew you would be good but not THIS good. UNC looks stroooooooooong

 

[thaUNCshow]

THIS team was going to be a bubble team according to some.

Come on now lol. No one in their right mind would ever think a team returning 6 of their 8 best players from a team that lost the title game at the buzzer would be a bubble team. We were preseason #6....

 

[Spaceytoyz]

Come on now lol. No one in their right mind would ever think a team returning 6 of their 8 best players from a team that lost the title game at the buzzer would be a bubble team. We were preseason #6....

If they lose Berry Jackson, already Meeks Hicks and Britt for next year that is a lot to replace,
returning players Maye, Williams Bradley Woods Robinson probably averaging 10 points combined? it would not be easy predicting a Tourney year..

 

[thaUNCshow]

If they lose Berry Jackson, already Meeks Hicks and Britt for next year that is a lot to replace,
returning players Maye, Williams Bradley Woods Robinson probably averaging 10 points combined? it would not be easy predicting a Tourney year..

He was talking about people suggesting THIS team this season would be a bubble team

 

[tarheels0015]

this years team seems to be playing more consistently on both ends of the floor ... and more team ball ......

 

[Ozheelfan]

If they lose Berry Jackson, already Meeks Hicks and Britt for next year that is a lot to replace,
returning players Maye, Williams Bradley Woods Robinson probably averaging 10 points combined? it would not be easy predicting a Tourney year..

I'll wear my "homer" badge with pride and say the above players, with an off-season of development, plus the incoming crew (who knows maybe another one or two) and they're a tourney team.
Remember, just a couple of weeks ago there were doubters about KW's shooting (based on last season), he's 8-18 from deep (44%) so far this season.

 

[superstar57]

Losing all our size will make next year rough. If Meeks or Hicks could return and help Bradley (don't think we will have him next year) then we would be a good team by tourney time.

Love Berry's game, but losing Meeks and Hicks will hurt even more. Felton will take time to develope, but not that long and Woods will be improved also. Can't replace Hicks and Meeks at the same time.

I still think the way Roy develops his players we will still be top 3 in ACC.

Never Forget that if JJ, Meeks, and Hicks are gone after this year that OAD's that are undecided will come. Bradley getting good press as a Freshman will also help recruit more big men we have been missing on lately.

 

[tarwhiz]

THIS team was going to be a bubble team according to some.

What? Who ever said anything like that?

 

[Steat]

If Manley blows up like many predict he could be the difference next year and step in as a freshman starter next to Bradley. If Knox signs which is doubtful at this juncture, he would start and help the Heels get to the Sweet 16.

Another option is a 5th-year senior transfer. Otherwise, I think the Heels at best would be a 6th-8th seed in the NCAA. Could be rough year next season. Winning the title this year will make it better for all of us. Would not count on Berry coming back. His draft stock will not get any higher than this season.

 

[Sk1310]

If Manley blows up like many predict he could be the difference next year and step in as a freshman starter next to Bradley. If Knox signs which is doubtful at this juncture, he would start and help the Heels get to the Sweet 16.

Another option is a 5th-year senior transfer. Otherwise, I think the Heels at best would be a 6th-8th seed in the NCAA. Could be rough year next season. Winning the title this year will make it better for all of us. Would not count on Berry coming back. His draft stock will not get any higher than this season.

Steat, I actually think Bradley being one and done is more important then winning a championship for recruiting.

 

[Steat]

Steat, I actually think Bradley being one and done is more important then winning a championship for recruiting.

Actually, I don't think the perception of UNC will change if Bradley goes OAD. Other schools would sell it as a fluke. If Bradley goes OAD the Heels are looking at the NIT.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Steat, I actually think Bradley being one and done is more important then winning a championship for recruiting.

Winning a championship is more important than recruiting.

 

[Sk1310]

Winning a championship is more important than recruiting.

I said more important too recruiting, not more important than recruiting. Theirs a difference. If you think for recruiting. We lost out on some recruits coming off a season we almost won the championship. Villanova still couldnt secure so PA kids ( Green, Randolp for example). Rat and Cal could be .500 and kids would still flock "because they get kids to the NBA". whatever the hell that means.

 

[Sk1310]

Actually, I don't think the perception of UNC will change if Bradley goes OAD. Other schools would sell it as a fluke. If Bradley goes OAD the Heels are looking at the NIT.

Then nothing will change the perception....

 

[Steat]

Then nothing will change the perception....

Multiple OADs may do it but certainly not one player when Kentucky, Duke, Kansas and Arizona have several players going every year. Most OADs want to be featured and these schools feature these players. Bradley is not a starter and certainly is not featured. I hope that Roy focuses primarily on players ranked in the 20-100 range going forward. The Heels need a stop gap for next season at the 4. If the Heels can somehow bring in a Knox or 5th year transfer to start at the 4 next year they will keep the run of impressive NCAA showings.

 

[DSouthr]

Lot of topics here, first really loving this current team because it has taken on a more aggressive mindset than we have seen in a long while and seems to have as great a degree of chemistry as we had last season. Yeah, I will say it, has a chance to be better than we were last season when Theo comes back.

Now as for Tony going pro after this season helping our recruiting, I think our recruiting would be just as helped if we get back to the final 4 and more so if we could win that last game. I don't want us to lose Tony after this season, all it would do is show a huge hole in our front court for a 2018 class that is pretty weak for big men, we would have to pray for a great grad transfer and that is a crap shoot.

It is going to be hard enough for us having to rely on Huffman and Manley as much as we will and losing Tony only complicates that so much more. I think both have huge upsides that can in time maybe lead to starter roles but don't even want to think about them having to start as freshmen.

 

[DSouthr]

Then nothing will change the perception....

I think perception is already changing, it seems the 2019 class is much more open to us than 16 or 17 were. Now Roy can get in early on these kids and not have to explain NCAA dark clouds. I think 2018 is a bit warmer for us but there just is not a ton of big men that can really help us in 2018, at least the way it looks so far. I think best case we come out of the 2018 class with 1 big and a wing to go along with Black & White.

 

[Sk1310]

Multiple OADs may do it but certainly not one player when Kentucky, Duke, Kansas and Arizona have several players going every year. Most OADs want to be featured and these schools feature these players. Bradley is not a starter and certainly is not featured. I hope that Roy focuses primarily on players ranked in the 20-100 range going forward. The Heels need a stop gap for next season at the 4. If the Heels can somehow bring in a Knox or 5th year transfer to start at the 4 next year they will keep the run of impressive NCAA showings.

You make good points. I would like Roy to concentrate on the 20-100 range as well, I just dont see him doint that.

 

[Archer2]

You make good points. I would like Roy to concentrate on the 20-100 range as well, I just dont see him doint that.

I think he's done that most of his career.

 

[Butterbutt44]

What? Who ever said anything like that?

Yeah I don't recall anyone here saying this team would be a bubble team. Now next year if certain guys leave in addition to the seniors then it becomes a real discussion.

 

[Sk1310]

I think he's done that most of his career.

Ehh yes and no. He goes after the big fish like any blue blood would and when he misses, he also misses on guys in that range because hes too late to the party.

According to ESPN rankings, from 2008-2014, Roy landed 11 top 20 recruits.

 

[imajericho]

I think a championship is more important than Bradley being one and done in general and for recruiting.

 

[coryfly]

If they lose Berry Jackson, already Meeks Hicks and Britt for next year that is a lot to replace,
returning players Maye, Williams Bradley Woods Robinson probably averaging 10 points combined? it would not be easy predicting a Tourney year..

They are going to average more than 10 points combined. Bradley is almost averaging 11 by himself. That will more than likely go down but not by a lot. They could certainly looking at a rebuilding year for sure though if all those guys are gone and they don't get Knox (which I don't expect).

Then nothing will change the perception....

Bradley isn't a big name OAD type guy. What would start to change the perception is having a top 5 or 10 highly thought of player with a lot of pub come in and have a great year while being a OAD.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

The future is indeed bright! Roy has built a winner from peeps others don't have the talent to evaluate properly He has signed peeps to fill all our perceived needs including two bigs that peeps seem to forget about. The exodus of talent won't happen unless peeps blow up and propel us to the FF and then winning will solve many recruiting issues. If we can avoid injury, bad luck, unfair draws, and play to our potential we are favorites to win it all! This is all we need to vault right back to the top. A Natty trumps any OAD mythology!

Beating the stink out of puke and Kentuck will also help sway a few peeps to see the light! Hopefully, this team will handle this little chore!