[canesboy6Participant]

I have to start with the fact that Im a Tarheels fan. But I know Duke so well because of it, and try to be very objective. I’ll start with Duke Players

          Nolan Smith

I didn’t realize until last game how good he is. I thought he was a product of the system, but he has truly become a guy you can’t give an inch of sunshine to or he will kill you. I actually thought he was very well defended for large parts of both games this year, but has been one step better. Is a threat at all 3 levels, long range, mid range, and is a good finisher. I think he is a rounded enough player to embrace a supporting role, both shooting and defending. I dont know how a gm could see that game and not be impressed. Only problem is he is a textbook tweener, and I think a team like Sacramento, Memphis, Toronto, Atlanta, or Portland that has a wing who does alot of primary Ball handling could use him as a defensive PG.

        Kyle Singler

Has shot horrificly against North Carolina in the 2 games. Is 6/31 in the two most important games this year. Harrison Barnes made it tough for him to score. I think his biggest problem moving forward is his strength is his all around game, but his role at the next level will be as  a shooter, and he isn’t a great shooter. I like his size, and for 6’8 he isn’t the horific athlete people make him out to be. But I realized tonight that he just isn’t an elite shooter, and has trouble gaining seperation off the dribble against NBA calibur athletes. Plays defense like his pants are one fire, and is a winner, so I think he finds a way to stick. Reminds me of Luke Walton. But I wonder why he hasn’t improved much, as he is pretty much the same player now as he was when he was a freshman.

         Miles Plumlee

A very underwhelming performance. As many of his performances are. His NBA perk right now is he is pretty tall, jumps real well, and can dunk and block shots. Hasn’t got much skill, ugly hookshot but at least he has a hook shot. Reminds me of Chris Anderson, needs some tats. Zeller has exposed him the 2 meetings. Still, very explosive and its hard to not wonder what he would be like in a system that featured him more. Has also been a winner. Not his best night so not the best time to judge him. Refs kinda jobbed him with some goofy calls. Looks like a lottery pick when he dunks, and looks like a D leaguer when he dribbles.

         Seth Curry

Kid can shoot, but can’t guard anybody at the NBA level. Seems at least an inch shorter and 15 pounds lighter than Seth, not quite as physically gifted. But good lord is he a pure shooter. Maybe takes over PG from Smith and shines more next year. Top 10 shooter in college basketball right now, with guys like Fredette, John Jenkins, and the lot. Doesnt look like a good NBA player to me, but might make the league. Will be a pro somewhere though, kid can flat out shoot. Still, couldn’t keep Strickland or Marshall out of the lane.

Now UNC players.

          Harrison Barnes

GREAT context to scout him in. High stakes game with a much older, but very NBA ready and good player Kyle Singler. Easily won the head to head matchup. NBA ready jumper, kid has a smooth stroke and will be a good shooter at the next level. Great Size and Physique, and a really good just not quite freakshow athlete. TERRIBLE handle right now, far too confident in it, but he just can’t really dribble which is surprising. He is a good finisher near the basket, but his handle and average first step make it difficult for him to get looks at the rim off the dribble. Thats my biggest concern, he isnt very quick.  Not sure he is a superstar, but kid is a really safe bet to be a pretty good Starter at the least.

          John Henson

Not his best game actually. Was offensively, and was unusually bad on help D, where he is usually a terror. At his best (which he has been more often than not lately) he is a formidable shotblocking presence and rebounder. His Length Obviously is his biggest advantage, but he is very crafty and explosive around the rim. Finishes with alot of dunks that other guys simply cant do. Still a bad shooter, and cant really finish through contact. Has a very high center of gravity, and struggles to establish post position. His frame makes you wonder how much weight he can gain. Still. has dominated the ACC defensively this year. The fact that despite his low weight, he is the best rebounder in the ACC makes you wonder just how good he can be when he adds the pounds.

          Tyler Zeller

The guy he reminds me of alot is Michael Doleac. He is pretty big, not the biggest, and scrappy and can shoot the ball pretty well. Not a big leaper or big wingspan guy. Has a nice hook shot and elbow extended jumper. Not a glamorous guy but I can see him being a servicable big for a long time. Still needs some strength. Head to Head, appears far superior to the Plumlee’s in the skillset department. Runs the floor very well, might be a great fit for uptempo offenses. I dont see his back to the basket game working at the next level, too finesse.

         Kendall Marshall

Really tough kid to get a good NBA read on. Not you’re average prospect. Luckily, he seems like a 4 year type kid so scouts will get a real good look at his game. He has great size, and the frame to get stronger. He looks a legit 6’3 195 as a freshman. He isn’t very fast, but has a quick first step. Is an amazing passer, a truly gifted floor general, and has an undeniable overall effect on his team. Seems like a true winner. Couldn’t guard Curry or Smith tonight, thats my biggest concern. Playing huge minutes right now so maybe he just doesnt have the gas. Could be in better shape, appears to take plays off. I just want to emphasize that he is an unbelievable passer. Makes a lot of boneheaded plays though, could stand to be a little less risky and hit some singles rather than home runs all the time. Defensively, he will have problems with the elite quicksters, but its hard to argue with how good and effective he is at such a young age. If he becomes a dead eye shooter, look out. Might even be first round good. Reminds me of Mark Jackson.

        

 

[akhan786Participant]

Did you mean Mason Plumlee? Because if you’re doing a head to head comparison you would have to choose Mason over his older brother…even though he isn’t much better…

[akhan786Participant]

Did you mean Mason Plumlee? Because if you’re doing a head to head comparison you would have to choose Mason over his older brother…even though he isn’t much better…

[canesboy6Participant]

Actually, I did. Good Catch. Mason Plumlee.

[canesboy6Participant]

Actually, I did. Good Catch. Mason Plumlee.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

He is actually pretty fast for his size and has some hops too. I do not see Zeller anything like Doleac at all. Barnes is a jump shooter  in the NBA. We will see how much the rest of his game develops.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

He is actually pretty fast for his size and has some hops too. I do not see Zeller anything like Doleac at all. Barnes is a jump shooter  in the NBA. We will see how much the rest of his game develops.

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