UNC vs VIRGINIA TECH GAME THREAD

[imajericho]

Cam, and it's not particularly close for me. I don't see why you care so much about this point though?

It is why adding a post player this year will not work. Now take Zion out.

The starters are

Felton or Woods
Williams
Cam
Nassir
Maye


Why would Montgomery come here this year? He will not start. We have to small ball. It kills any hope of him being one and done. He goes into a logjam at the post with 3 other players that he can hope to beat out for the following year but will be a year behind and may never beat them out or could even get recruited over.

It is like a possible career killing commitment to someone who is hoping to be one and done at that ranking range.

There is no incentive for a post player to come in next year.

 

[pln2013]

I told everyone before he even transferred here that he is not as good as people built up. He is a SG who is a spot up shooter. Search my posts before he transferred. I love in Pittsburgh. Seen him play a ton.

I'm not disagreeing with you about how good Cam is/isn't. I never viewed him as an NBA prospect unless he took an enormous leap forward on defense.

All the same - people who tend to know things think there's a good chance he's a one-year rental. The NBA isn't the only league that pays well.

 

[imajericho]

Zion would start over Nassir first off. Regardless Zion and Little would both play north of 25 MPG

Benching either Zion or Nassir as a freshman is one and done suicide. You have to bench Williams or Cam tbqh. It is just Roy generally does not bench senior starters. So what is going to give there.

 

[gauchoheel]

3) Bickering about the roster is pointless. Who we've got is who we've got. And I like who we've got and who we're gonna get.

This is why I'm talking about the roster for next year (and beyond). I think looking at talented bigs would be smart.

 

[pln2013]

2) Roy's recruiting isn't why we lack a strong post presence--Tony Bradley's early departure is.

We only signed one high-end post player across the '14, '15, '16, and '17 classes. And that will likely continue through '18.

Recruiting has been a problem.

 

[pln2013]

This is why I'm talking about the roster for next year (and beyond). I think looking at talented bigs would be smart.

Losing Days really sucked. I wanted Zion more (and stand by that), but Days would've been a great fit.

Shittu could've stepped right into Theo's role, but with more traditional big skills. Losing him sucked, too.

I didn't love Nate Laszewski, but he'd've been nice given the other misses.

Grumble grumble.

 

[imajericho]

The better play is to hold pat this year. And get a top post player recruit the following year to pair with the best of the 3 year bigs of Brooks manley or Huffman. Maye will have graduated and it opens up his spot for a starting spot to entice a top tier recruit.

 

[pln2013]

The better play is to hold pat this year. And get a top post player recruit the following year to pair with the best of the 3 year bigs of Brooks manley or Huffman. Maye will have graduated and it opens up his spot for a starting spot to entice a top tier recruit.

Baker-Manley would be a nice front court, provided Baker is mobile enough to play the 4 (which isn't guaranteed).

 

[gauchoheel]

It is why adding a post player this year will not work. Now take Zion out.

The starters are

Felton or Woods
Williams
Cam
Nassir
Maye


Why would Montgomery come here this year? He will not start. We have to small ball. It kills any hope of him being one and done. He goes into a logjam at the post with 3 other players that he can hope to beat out for the following year but will be a year behind and may never beat them out or could even get recruited over.

It is like a possible career killing commitment to someone who is hoping to be one and done at that ranking range.

There is no incentive for a post player to come in next year.

Not sure if you saw it, but I already responded to this point. I'm going to repost it here:

"I'm not talking about a OAD player, I'm talking about a guy ranked #15-60. Maybe Montgomery is ranked a bit too high to be interested, but the issue you are talking about is only for one year. This player would be a presumed starter as a sophomore, that's not a bad option for these types of players. That's what Felton, Woods, Robinson, Bradley all signed up for, and all were ranked in this range. White too most likely.

I also think Brooks has struggled to be honest, so he'd only really be behind Manley and Maye (and Maye just for one year)."

 

[Sk1310]

Zion would start over Nassir first off. Regardless Zion and Little would both play north of 25 MPG

No homer, just watching both, I would take Little over Zion. Better all around game. Little will be the better NBA player also.

 

[gauchoheel]

The better play is to hold pat this year. And get a top post player recruit the following year to pair with the best of the 3 year bigs of Brooks manley or Huffman. Maye will have graduated and it opens up his spot for a starting spot to entice a top tier recruit.

This is a fair strategy I suppose. Though a good could start at center next year if Cam leaves (or we don't go small).

 

[Sk1310]

I wish more UNC fans would understand this.

For real,
Roys recruiting pitch to Mo Bamba should have been bombs away from 3. Even though you are a pure, shot blocking center with a developing post up game, we want you to launch 3's. His 20% from 3 this year is stellar.

 

[imajericho]

Not sure if you saw it, but I already responded to this point. I'm going to repost it here:

"I'm not talking about a OAD player, I'm talking about a guy ranked #15-60. Maybe Montgomery is ranked a bit too high to be interested, but the issue you are talking about is only for one year. This player would be a presumed starter as a sophomore, that's not a bad option for these types of players. That's what Felton, Woods, Robinson, Bradley all signed up for, and all were ranked in this range. White too most likely.

I also think Brooks has struggled to be honest, so he'd only really be behind Manley and Maye (and Maye just for one year)."

The problem is that you bring a potential bust or average player in to logjam the spot even more and make a top ranked recruit think it isn't worth going to the program with all the competition / split playing time there on paper. That is if you can even find a player who is top 50ish to 100ish who wants to come in just to back up (which should not be our target range anyways).

Could it work out and you hit a Meeks or Johnson or Henson type product there? Absolutely. What if you do not though? You have made recruiting harder on yourself down the line and have taken up roster spots.

What if that player is a Desmond Hubert or a Joel James and not a Henson or Johnson? Then you have FOUR roster spots tied up in the middle for 3 more years still and you handicapped your post recruiting. Taking 3 last year hurts so bad. We almost need to hope transfers will sort that out down low.

 

[pln2013]

For real,
Roys recruiting pitch to Mo Bamba should have been bombs away from 3. Even though you are a pure, shot blocking center with a developing post up game, we want you to launch 3's. His 20% from 3 this year is stellar.

Bamba is terrible in the post, though. He has no offensive skill. He can really only score on dump-offs and put-backs. Forcing it to him in the post would not have gone well.

 

[imajericho]

Bamba is terrible in the post, though. He has no offensive skill. He can really only score on dump-offs and put-backs. Forcing it to him in the post would not have gone well.

Do you know how much just a simple dump off and put back guy in the middle would help right now with the rest of our jump shooters? Hell, Maye is one of our best players and he can't reliably finish point blank lobs.

 

[Sk1310]

Bamba is terrible in the post, though. He has no offensive skill. He can really only score on dump-offs and put-backs. Forcing it to him in the post would not have gone well.

That's my point. Roy is trying to feed it to 3 star recruits. You don't think a 5 star Mo Bamba would be developing a post game with Roy? come on.

 

[pln2013]

Do you know how much just a simple dump off and put back guy in the middle would help right now with the rest of our jump shooters? Hell, Maye is one of our best players and he can't reliably finish point blank lobs.

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to have Bamba. He's miles ahead of our '17 bigs. I just don't think he'd want to come here to play with his back to the basket.

 

[GoNtheDistance]

Looking at box score and we are lucky to only have lost by 11. What a shit show. Luke and Joel had a pulse. Everybody else not so much. Cam and Kenny can’t combine for 7 points. That’s pathetic. Kenny has fallen off lately on then offensive end and better find it quick if we want to compete against the top half of the league. Cue the broken record, but we can’t have our freshman bigs combine for 2 points and 2 rebounds in 22 minutes. To say we have zero post presence is pretty close to the damn truth. As many jump shots as Tech took and considering how small they are, for those 2 bigs to combine for only 2 rebounds. I’d make them walk home.

 

[Sk1310]

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to have Bamba. He's miles ahead of our '17 bigs. I just don't think he'd want to come here to play with his back to the basket.

His NBA stock is dropping....

 

[pln2013]

His NBA stock is dropping....

Yeah, I prefer Jaren Jackson Jr. for the same type of role (because JJJ can actually shoot).

 

[imajericho]

For giggles, if we had Bagley or Ayton at the 5 and had Williams on the bench, our roster might be unstoppable. Just if we had one of those 2 instead of the 3 we have.

 

[bradythegoat2]

For giggles, if we had Bagley or Ayton at the 5 and had Williams on the bench, our roster might be unstoppable. Just if we had one of those 2 instead of the 3 we have.

But then some posters on here would be saying Ayton wouldn't be a lock to start on this team lol.

 

[Sk1310]

But then some posters on here would be saying Ayton wouldn't be a lock to start on this team lol.

Let's not over exaggerate. Ayton will be the #1 pick in the draft.

 

[gauchoheel]

The problem is that you bring a potential bust or average player in to logjam the spot even more and make a top ranked recruit think it isn't worth going to the program with all the competition / split playing time there on paper. That is if you can even find a player who is top 50ish to 100ish who wants to come in just to back up (which should not be our target range anyways).

Could it work out and you hit a Meeks or Johnson or Henson type product there? Absolutely. What if you do not though? You have made recruiting harder on yourself down the line and have taken up roster spots.

What if that player is a Desmond Hubert or a Joel James and not a Henson or Johnson? Then you have FOUR roster spots tied up in the middle for 3 more years still and you handicapped your post recruiting. Taking 3 last year hurts so bad. We almost need to hope transfers will sort that out down low.

I see. So would you have taken Days or Laszewski if they'd have wanted to come here? Would you take Baker if he were 2018 right now?

 

[imajericho]

I see. So would you have taken Days or Laszewski if they'd have wanted to come here? Would you take Baker if he were 2018 right now?

Depends on their upside compared to waiting a year and seeing what the bigs there can be gotten.

Do you trust this lineup? This is what it comes down to.

Woods, Felton, Jet Jr
Williams, White, Platek
Cam, Robinson, Black
Nassir, Brooks, Maye
Maye, Manley, Huffman

The question is always going to be. Is bringing that player in next year. Let's go with Montgomery...

Woods, Felton, Jet Jr
Williams, White, Platek
Nassir, Robinson, Black
Maye, Brooks, Montgomery
Montgomery, Manley, Huffman

If this lineup is not better than the previous one, you need to punt the post recruit to next year. Cam is going to leave the program if he does not start.

 

[SKYBLUEWITCHEESE]

Depends on their upside compared to waiting a year and seeing what the bigs there can be gotten.

Do you trust this lineup? This is what it comes down to.

Woods, Felton, Jet Jr
Williams, White, Platek
Cam, Robinson, Black
Nassir, Brooks, Maye
Maye, Manley, Huffman

The question is always going to be. Is bringing that player in next year. Let's go with Montgomery...

Woods, Felton, Jet Jr
Williams, White, Platek
Nassir, Robinson, Black
Maye, Brooks, Montgomery
Montgomery, Manley, Huffman

If this lineup is not better than the previous one, you need to punt the post recruit to next year. Cam is going to leave the program if he does not start.

There is NO WAY Woods starts next year if everyone is healthy. Pencil either Felton or White into the lineup instead.

 

[gauchoheel]

Depends on their upside compared to waiting a year and seeing what the bigs there can be gotten.

Do you trust this lineup? This is what it comes down to.

Woods, Felton, Jet Jr
Williams, White, Platek
Cam, Robinson, Black
Nassir, Brooks, Maye
Maye, Manley, Huffman

The question is always going to be. Is bringing that player in next year. Let's go with Montgomery...

Woods, Felton, Jet Jr
Williams, White, Platek
Nassir, Robinson, Black
Maye, Brooks, Montgomery
Montgomery, Manley, Huffman

If this lineup is not better than the previous one, you need to punt the post recruit to next year. Cam is going to leave the program if he does not start.

I'd prefer Cam over Montgomery for next year, though I'm not sure if that is the real choice. What if Cam decides to leave no matter what? Then it comes down to adding a post recruit or leaving the roster spot open. I'd prefer to add a post recruit.

It's also possible to add a post recruit but still start Cam. That recruit could still get 15-20 minutes per game if they can back up the 4 too. Perhaps Montgomery would not be interested in that, I have no idea. He was just supposed to be an example. If he is only interested in going somewhere he can start AND Cam is returning, then yeah it's not a good fit.

However, if Montgomery is a OAD as you say we could take him and still add someone with his spot for 2019. Especially if Cam is leaving (which we don't know at this point), that seems to be a better use of the space than being short in the post again next year.

 

[bax4444]

Is roy recruiting Montgomery? It seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[gauchoheel]

Is roy recruiting Montgomery? It seems like a no brainer to me.

He's been to see him but has not offered yet I believe.

 

[truetarheelraider0806]

There is NO WAY Woods starts next year if everyone is healthy. Pencil either Felton or White into the lineup instead.

Everyone said the same thing about Williams keep in mind we have yet to see a healthy woods you will be pleased with him once you actually see a healthy woods

 

[imajericho]

There is NO WAY Woods starts next year if everyone is healthy. Pencil either Felton or White into the lineup instead.

Woods was playing relatively good and had a nasty jumper before being injured.

Depends how much the injury has set him back.

 

[imajericho]

I'd prefer Cam over Montgomery for next year, though I'm not sure if that is the real choice. What if Cam decides to leave no matter what? Then it comes down to adding a post recruit or leaving the roster spot open. I'd prefer to add a post recruit.

It's also possible to add a post recruit but still start Cam. That recruit could still get 15-20 minutes per game if they can back up the 4 too. Perhaps Montgomery would not be interested in that, I have no idea. He was just supposed to be an example. If he is only interested in going somewhere he can start AND Cam is returning, then yeah it's not a good fit.

However, if Montgomery is a OAD as you say we could take him and still add someone with his spot for 2019. Especially if Cam is leaving (which we don't know at this point), that seems to be a better use of the space than being short in the post again next year.

If Cam is leaving no matter what, then Roy will offer someone. The question is moreso of where does the player fit in if Cam returns. Cam leaving either brings White into the starting lineup and we stay small or brings a big in to go traditional. Going traditional is more likely.

You still have to remember that Maye has the 4 locked up even if we go traditional. Which leaves Manley and Brooks as possible time splits at that 5 / backup 4. You would need someone who envisions at least a 2 year plan in college to fill that.


The good thing is that if they allow straight to the NBA soon, the pitch against of with one and dones is gone and we can start recruiting normally without other schools loading up with yearly talent.