We are the best team in the country right now

[dadika13]

Couldn't have asked for a better start to the season (minus the Theo injury). JB looks like a top 3 PG, our interior is unstoppable, we're defending like mad men, and we're a much better shooting team than last season.

It was fun listening to Jay Bilas, a dukie, slobber over us for 2 games in Maui.

Who knows where the season goes from here, but for my money, we're the #1 team and it's a GDTBATH.

 

[TRU CANE]

Agreed

 

[shun1]

!!!!!!!!!!!! SMILE !!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!! GO TAR HEELS !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

Agree!!

 

[superstar57]

No big will dominate Meeks. Not many PF can keep up with Hicks. JJ is being aggressive and Berry is playing like one of the best players in country. When/if Pinson returns we become elite defensively and as pleased as I am with KW, I am positive Pinson is our best option at SG. Britt/KW/Bradley/Mave coming of the bench. We have a really good team with back ups that can play.

LET'S GO HEELS!

 

[carolinablue34]

We look fantastic so far and we're ahead of where we were last year. I still want to wait and see how we do against Indiana and Kentucky before making a concrete judgement about being the best just yet.

 

[imajericho]

Couldn't have asked for a better start to the season (minus the Theo injury). JB looks like a top 3 PG, our interior is unstoppable, we're defending like mad men, and we're a much better shooting team than last season.

It was fun listening to Jay Bilas, a dukie, slobber over us for 2 games in Maui.

Who knows where the season goes from here, but for my money, we're the #1 team and it's a GDTBATH.

I agree and I wonder if we will be even better once Pinson comes back. Williams has done a lot better than last year so far which is great and will be great for depth also.

Nate Britt looks way better too. His handle and speed with the ball both seem to have improved.

Berry and Jackson seem to have become a but more aggressive from deep and have increased their range which is helping interior spacing.

Hicks had a deadly mid range game and I would like to see him more.

Meeks seems to be playing smart around him physical limitations which is good.

Bradley is relativelt impressive. He is going to be top tier next year if he sticks around.

Seventh is concerning as he is playing very out of control. He has that fierce personality though and if he starts getting less careless can be big things for us.


I do not think anyone is a more complete team than us right now. Indiana will be a good barometer though because they have inside and outside stars who could both be trouble if we let them.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

This team was built by a master craftsman! While many think a hand crafted table from a master carpenter is the same as a cookie cutter table from IKEA, some can appreciate the workmanship of the artisan! Roy builds programs while others field teams and I love it!

Peeps wanted to argue that there were 3-5 PGs better than JB. Well...
Peeps said we needed to prove we could shoot. Well...
Peeps said any number of teams would really test us. Well....
Peeps questioned whether Meeks should even start. Well...
Peeps questioned whether TB was an elite recruit, potentially OAD level. Well...
Peeps said if Maye played significant minutes, we were in trouble. Well...

I have always seen things differently, but even I am pleasantly surprised that in addition to answering all of the questions we are playing every minute of every game with unmatched toughness and intensity!

 

[bleeduncblue]

Honestly I'm just thrilled that we seem far better than most UNC fans expected after what we went thru to end the 2015-16 season.

 

[al would]

What has impressed me is how polished this team looks, especially being so early in the year. Most years the BB team comes out looking somewhat lost both on offense and defense, and there is a lot of subs and combos used to see who meshes best. This year, with a few exceptions (Seventh), these guys have come out focused with a high level of defensive intensity, good help defense and rotations, and a tremendous amount of confidence and swagger on the offensive end. Kind of a "get you some" attitude and that is some sexy ish right there. Love this team !!

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Kentucky vs UNC should be a classic

 

[superstar57]

Kentucky vs UNC should be a classic

I love my Heels, but Monk from KY is impressive. Can't wait until that game.

 

[coryfly]

Yeah, Kentucky is legit. So is 'Nova and UVA. Duke will be. You never know about KU, IU, UCLA, etc... UNC is a good team but they aren't the only good team. However, they are a hell of a lot of fun to watch. It will be a fun ride for sure.

 

[carolinablue34]

Kentucky is no joke. Monk and Fox can ball and they've dominated their competition.

 

[RoseHeel]

Kentucky vs UNC is gonna be fun.

If we get out of Indiana with a W and UK beats UCLA, we could be looking at the #1 vs #2 game of the season.

 

[Tom79]

Saw the father of a UCLA kid said "they were the best team in the country and would win the NC"....well now, guess you'll get a chance to show us....I like our team, they just suit up, and go play...besides the wins and loses this team is fun to watch and most of our success is we have seniors and juniors leading the way. Great support from the youngsters doesn't hurt! We are 10 deep, tough to beat that....stats on this group of Heels is impressive.

 

[KINGBEAST]

Kentucky vs UNC is gonna be fun.

If we get out of Indiana with a W and UK beats UCLA, we could be looking at the #1 vs #2 game of the season.

It's going to be an unreal game. I'm expecting a classic. Speed, speed and more speed.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

I think this game will be awesome indeed, but we have to get through IU first. Monk is a beast, but we have several defenders to throw at him. I think we can slow him down and shut down his partners. I look for another 20-22 point outing that takes 17 shots to get. The strategy of making the star feel he has to put the team on his shoulders seems to be working so far! I hope Kentuck has to fight hard to the end in their UCLA game so that win or lose they expend emotional energy.

 

[DSouthr]

Yeah, Kentucky is legit. So is 'Nova and UVA. Duke will be. You never know about KU, IU, UCLA, etc... UNC is a good team but they aren't the only good team. However, they are a hell of a lot of fun to watch. It will be a fun ride for sure.

Yeah, kinda how I see it. WE are playing really well right now but there are a handful of other teams also playing really well. Ky is a load, playing better than I expected them to, when duke gets their freshmen back they are going to be double hard to deal with. I think IU, UCLA, and KU are already really good and will get a heck of a lot better. Nova is rolling along under estimated like last season but undefeated. I do think UVa will drop back when their competition level increases.

A conference game that will have me nervous is FSU, all that crazy length, very poor guard play and they don't pound it inside like the should with all that length but they are a match up problem for us.

 

[DSouthr]

I think this game will be awesome indeed, but we have to get through IU first. Monk is a beast, but we have several defenders to throw at him. I think we can slow him down and shut down his partners. I look for another 20-22 point outing that takes 17 shots to get. The strategy of making the star feel he has to put the team on his shoulders seems to be working so far! I hope Kentuck has to fight hard to the end in their UCLA game so that win or lose they expend emotional energy.

Monk is streaky because he tends to take some bad shots, the 3 that really concern me are of course bam and his activity as a physically strong defender/rebounder. Gabriel with his length at the wing, and Briscoe who is really their heart.

We have to stay on Monk so he does not get clean looks but do so and he will take some bad shots, we need to get the rebound and roll!

 

[Steat]

Need to beat Indiana to keep the string going. Don't underestimate the value of a #1 seed this year. Beat Indiana and Kentucky the Heels clinch a # 1 seed. My opinion only.

 

[imajericho]

Monk is streaky because he tends to take some bad shots, the 3 that really concern me are of course bam and his activity as a physically strong defender/rebounder. Gabriel with his length at the wing, and Briscoe who is really their heart.

We have to stay on Monk so he does not get clean looks but do so and he will take some bad shots, we need to get the rebound and roll!

Briscoe sucks. Seriously. He can't shoot a lick.

Fox and Monk are the ones to worry about.

 

[MWHeels]

I want them to be the best team in April.

 

[Butterbutt44]

Pinson would be the perfect antidote for monk defensively.

 

[Steat]

Briscoe sucks. Seriously. He can't shoot a lick.

Fox and Monk are the ones to worry about.

He can't shoot from the outside, but he can drive the basket. The Heels ned to keep him in front of them.

 

[Archer2]

I'm looking no farther than IU tomorrow. Here are their starters.

Newkirk 6-1, 195 7PPG 3RPG 3APG
Johnson 6-3, 195 14PPG 4RPG 3APG
Blackmon 6-4, 200 21PPG 7RPG
Anunoby 6-8, 235 12PPG 6 RPG
Bryant 6-10, 255 14RPG 8RPG

As a team, they're shooting 50% from the field, 40% from 3-pt range, and 71% from the charity stripe. IOW, a very good shooting team. They are also outrebounding their opponents by almost 18RPG. In their OT win over KU, they shot 48% from long distance and outrebounded KU by 11.

Not a team to be taken lightly. The game will be a very hostile environment for the Heels so it will be interesting to see how we handle that.

 

[Tom79]

I'll take our kids and 4 of them hitting double doubles so far...that is what is curious about IU, open with KU and get a big "W" then Ft. Wayne...weird. But it happens. Our stats are as impressive if not more so than they offer.

 

[Catemus]

The game will be a very hostile environment for the Heels so it will be interesting to see how we handle that.

Hopefully, better security procedures have been put in Assembly Hall since UK last played IU there. The IU fans throw things and get physical with opposing fans and even players and staff. I don't know if they feel the same about UNC as they do about UK but if you're traveling to Bloomington I'd advise particular caution.

I hope UK and UNC are both undefeated and healthy for our showdown in Vegas. Carolina won the last time we were 1-2 so we should be extra motivated. Here's hoping it's one for the ages and everybody comes out of it without injury (and the Cats win, of course).

 

[coryfly]

I'm looking no farther than IU tomorrow. Here are their starters.

Newkirk 6-1, 195 7PPG 3RPG 3APG
Johnson 6-3, 195 14PPG 4RPG 3APG
Blackmon 6-4, 200 21PPG 7RPG
Anunoby 6-8, 235 12PPG 6 RPG
Bryant 6-10, 255 14RPG 8RPG

As a team, they're shooting 50% from the field, 40% from 3-pt range, and 71% from the charity stripe. IOW, a very good shooting team. They are also outrebounding their opponents by almost 18RPG. In their OT win over KU, they shot 48% from long distance and outrebounded KU by 11.

Not a team to be taken lightly. The game will be a very hostile environment for the Heels so it will be interesting to see how we handle that.

It is going to be a very difficult game. The Heels can win but at their place should probably be underdogs. They are very good at home against highly ranked teams.

 

[Archer2]

Yes they are, Cory. We'll need our A game to prevail.

 

[fkfootball]

IU will probably start Juwan Morgan at the 3 to guard Justin Jackson. With the athletes we have and good individual defenders we have, I have no idea how IU isn't a top defensive team (probably coaching).Should be a great game tomorrow. You guys have a great team. Don't listen to the UK fans who say people in Assembly Hall are nasty. UK fans are butthurt from losing 2 of their last 3 matchups to IU.

 

[DSouthr]

Briscoe sucks. Seriously. He can't shoot a lick.

Fox and Monk are the ones to worry about.

He (Brisco) is averaging 18.4pt/game and is their second leading scorer?

http://www.ukathletics.com/page/team-stats_m-baskbl_stat-crew

 

[DSouthr]

Back to Indiana, we should have the size advantage, we need to rebound on both ends. Bryant has had foul issues, be nice to see him pick up a couple early fouls and have to sit. OG being able to step outside is a concern, have to make sure we block him out as a shooter and not let him follow his miss. I like Joel, Kenny, Nate, and Justin as defenders, doing a heck of a job so far staying on their man and not giving up clean treys.

I do not think it is smart for them to try to run with us, our big men run the floor so well and our guards are looking to attack.

 

[fkfootball]

Back to Indiana, we should have the size advantage, we need to rebound on both ends. Bryant has had foul issues, be nice to see him pick up a couple early fouls and have to sit. OG being able to step outside is a concern, have to make sure we block him out as a shooter and not let him follow his miss. I like Joel, Kenny, Nate, and Justin as defenders, doing a heck of a job so far staying on their man and not giving up clean treys.

I do not think it is smart for them to try to run with us, our big men run the floor so well and our guards are looking to attack.

UNC may very well have an advantage in the paint. But our frontcourt is 6"11 255, 6"10 240, 6"8 235, and 6"8 230. We have a bigger and better frontcourt than we did in March.

 

[trestyles]

I think IU will be a closer game then the Kentucky game. Who has Kentucky played again? When have you seen their front court make a post move? They want to run, we want to run. Let's see if they can do it for 40 mins.

 

[fkfootball]

I think IU will be a closer game then the Kentucky game. Who has Kentucky played again? When have you seen their front court make a post move? They want to run, we want to run. Let's see if they can do it for 40 mins.

IU can play up and down. But we don't do it as often as UNC.

 

[coryfly]

IU's frontcourt is very athletic and Bryant is a beast. He'll be a tough cover for anyone. IU may not play as fast as us and without Williams and Yogi probably don't play as fast as last year but doubt they mind an uptempo game.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Bryant is very impressive. But then again, our boys ain't slouches either.

 

[imajericho]

He (Brisco) is averaging 18.4pt/game and is their second leading scorer?

http://www.ukathletics.com/page/team-stats_m-baskbl_stat-crew

I am aware. Unless Briscoe turned some major corner over the offseason, which I doubt, he is not of any concern to us as a threat.

 

[fkfootball]

Bryant is very impressive. But then again, our boys ain't slouches either.

I agree. We have a good frontcourt. But we aren't going to dominate the paint against you guys. Big Ten teams, sure.