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omphalos 14 years, 10 months ago.
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- Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:21am #32771
JNixonParticipant#1: UNC Tarheels
Frontcourt- EVERYBODY returns. The headliner is the Soph. Harrison Barnes. He’s expected to make a big leap after emerging big-time when Kendall Marshall took over at PG. Barnes is a well-built 6’8 225 SF who will play some SG too at times. He possesses a strong mid-range game, very good rebounding ability as a natural wing, good passing skills, and he’s a solid defender. He can hit the 3-point and showed down the stretch that he will be a factor scoring in bunches with his jumper. He can spot up or come off screens, and his size and high release gives him high-level ability to make shots against contests. Barnes does not need to handle the ball to score, which makes him very promising. Also, he’s a more than adequate athlete. He’s extremely well-rounded, and only has true weakness in his ball-handling skills. The ball clearly slows Barnes down off the dribble, and he plays with a high center of gravity that definitely affects his explosiveness and ability to change direction off the dribble. He’s been working on that by going to various camps (including the CP3 guard camp). He’s a chronicled hard-worker, and a guy who makes clutch plays too. He’s strong mentally. I expect him to be a 18 or 19 ppg scorer who gets 7 rpg, 2 apg, 1 spg, and about 1 bpg. He should be an All-American caliber player, and he’s a virtual lock to be a top 10 pick in 2012. Beside him is Tyler Zeller, a 7’0 230 C. Zeller, a Sr., is a good athlete for his size, with a nice mid-range shot and an arsenal of hook shots around the rim, and he’s an adequate shot-blocker. Zeller runs the floor as well as any C in college basketball, and is probably unrivaled by anyone his size. He’s got to get stronger in his base though, and his post D and rebounding both aren’t at that high a level for a 7’0 guy. Zeller can get pushed around too much by the physical bigs he sometimes faces (Ezeli for Vandy dominated him in a lot of ways, for example). He lacks a degree of toughness. He’s a likely 1st round pick in 2012. Also an exciting prospect is John Henson, a 6’10 215 PF with some very raw potential and ability. Henson is a long-armed freak with very good quickness and rather explosive leaping skills. He’s the best shot-blocker in the ACC (arguably in the nation too) and a great rebounder too. It helps that he has a jump hook in his arsenal, as it is nearly impossible to block with his wingspan. Henson can score off scrap plays and hustle around the rim, and he factors on the offensive glass. Henson still is thin and weak, and it can show when he’s around the rim, as he’s a very mediocre finisher when he has to finish amongst the trees. He’s still developing his skills and growing into his body, and that frame is just really narrow. His skinny build will always be looked at as a hindrance for him. He made big strides last year though, and is a 1st round prospect for 2012. His length, athleticism, and ability to protect the rim without fouling a bunch is NOTHING to sneeze at. Depth will come from touted Fr. James McAdoo and swingman P.J. Hairston. The 6’8 215 McAdoo is a promising player who will play rotation minutes as a Fr. McAdoo has soft touch and a good jump hook. He’s got good length and the ability to score with both hands. He needs polish and to work on his face-up game, but he’s too skilled already not to play. Expect like 6 or 7 ppg and 3 or 4 rpg from him. Hairston is a big body with a sweet jumper. He’s going to have to play with Leslie McDonald out for the year. Super good frontline.
Backcourt- The PG is Soph. Kendall Marshall, who was pretty great when he took over for Larry Drew III. The 6’4 195 Marshall, to me, is hands down the best passer in college basketball. The guy drops dimes. He literally is a threat to throw an assist from anywhere on the court. He has every pass in his arsenal, and he’s willing to push the ball after missed or made baskets. You HAVE to get back on D when he’s in the game, and expect the unexpected as his teammate. His floor vision is amazing, and so is his approach to the game, composure, and his decision-making (6.2/2.5 A/TO as a Fr., in an up-tempo system). The southpaw can play in half-court or up-tempo, and good at making passing in the offensive flow. Marshall is already pretty strong and physically mature, having an impressive frame and height. He needs to work on his jump shot, as he’s not a very good shooter from anywhere on the floor really. His range is 22 feet with his feet set, and he has to be open and with time to make those shots, and he’s inconsistent even in those situations. Marshall is also a well below average athlete, as he’s not very quick, fast or athletic. He plays the game at his own pace to alleviate it, but there are times when it is evident. He struggles to recover when beat by quick guards, and he doesn’t push the ball in transition all that much, instead choosing to make long throws over the defenses head or in small creases, which can lead to turnovers at times. Marshall still is among the top 3 returning PG’s in college basketball, and a possible 2012 1st round pick. Marshall could average 8 apg this year. At SG, they have stocked up on shooters with Soph. Reggie Bullock and Fr. P.J. Hairston (see forwards), and the quick slashing Jr. Dexter Strickland. The 6’6 195 Bullock looks like a bet to play nice minutes as a Soph, and he has promise. He’s a very good shooter with prototypical size. He displayed a Fr.-type of understanding of shot selection last year though, and would take a bunch of shots in his limited time. He also struggles as a ball-handler. He seems like a 3 or 4 year player, he reminds of Courtney Lee. Bullock has the most talent of all the SG’s and is the best scorer of the bunch. He can score in a hurry at his best, he just has to work on rounding out the rest of his game. Strickland is a tweener guard (much more of a SG though) with slashing ability, speed, and quickness. He improved his D last year, and he was able to change the pace of games at times too, which is unorthodox and aggressive style. He still can’t shoot and isn’t a real PG (not a great mix at 6’2), but he’s the best transition player of all the wings on the team. He’s very aggressive and plays at full-speed a lot (gift and curse, as he can be prone to bad decision-making). Strickland will have to play limited minutes at PG next year too. Leslie McDonald, another jump shooter, is out for the year with an ACL injury. A lot of depth in the backcourt, and the arguably the best PG in the college game. A lot of offensive firepower.
Overview: Roy Williams has a very nice supply of talent and experience this year, and with Harrison Barnes, he has a potential ACC Player of the Year winner. Williams is obviously an outstanding coach, and with the team being another year older, and combined with the depth they have in both the guard and bigs, they should be amazing next year. They could average 90 ppg next year with all the firepower they have, and they should have a bunch of blowout games. Look for UNC to be the nat’l champs.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:31am #593314
Anton123ParticipantDo you see Hairston as more of a SF or SG at the NBA level?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:31am #593345
Anton123ParticipantDo you see Hairston as more of a SF or SG at the NBA level?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:31am #592873
Anton123ParticipantDo you see Hairston as more of a SF or SG at the NBA level?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:35am #593317
JNixonParticipantHe’s more of a SF definitely to me. He will be able to play some SG though he his team wants to go big or something.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:35am #593348
JNixonParticipantHe’s more of a SF definitely to me. He will be able to play some SG though he his team wants to go big or something.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:35am #592877
JNixonParticipantHe’s more of a SF definitely to me. He will be able to play some SG though he his team wants to go big or something.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:57am #593326
PrecociousNeophyteParticipantIt has been a pleasure reading these over the past few weeks. Keep up the good work.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:57am #593357
PrecociousNeophyteParticipantIt has been a pleasure reading these over the past few weeks. Keep up the good work.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 5:57am #592887
PrecociousNeophyteParticipantIt has been a pleasure reading these over the past few weeks. Keep up the good work.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 6:10am #592896
The White MambaParticipantWhats next for your write ups? This series and the last draft countdown have been great. You really are the best basketball mind on this site!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 6:10am #593335
The White MambaParticipantWhats next for your write ups? This series and the last draft countdown have been great. You really are the best basketball mind on this site!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 6:10am #593365
The White MambaParticipantWhats next for your write ups? This series and the last draft countdown have been great. You really are the best basketball mind on this site!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 8:03am #593423
RUDEBOY_ParticipantHenson’s on the court demeanor reminds me of Sam Perkins..I’m not saying he plays like ”Big Smooth”,but he carries himself the same way…Perkins was also quiet and people expected him to be better than he was…
If Barnes improves his handle he can be an elite player on the next level…
Looking at all the talent on UNC & Kentucky’s rosters..Almost everyone is Dreaming to see them Matchup in the Title Game…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 8:03am #592953
RUDEBOY_ParticipantHenson’s on the court demeanor reminds me of Sam Perkins..I’m not saying he plays like ”Big Smooth”,but he carries himself the same way…Perkins was also quiet and people expected him to be better than he was…
If Barnes improves his handle he can be an elite player on the next level…
Looking at all the talent on UNC & Kentucky’s rosters..Almost everyone is Dreaming to see them Matchup in the Title Game…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 8:03am #593393
RUDEBOY_ParticipantHenson’s on the court demeanor reminds me of Sam Perkins..I’m not saying he plays like ”Big Smooth”,but he carries himself the same way…Perkins was also quiet and people expected him to be better than he was…
If Barnes improves his handle he can be an elite player on the next level…
Looking at all the talent on UNC & Kentucky’s rosters..Almost everyone is Dreaming to see them Matchup in the Title Game…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:26am #593434
providencefriars1ParticipantIggy everyone does not return! They lose Justin Knox who was their first big off the bench last year and played some significant minutes. This role will be easily replaced by Mcadoo but I just had to bring that up.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:26am #593464
providencefriars1ParticipantIggy everyone does not return! They lose Justin Knox who was their first big off the bench last year and played some significant minutes. This role will be easily replaced by Mcadoo but I just had to bring that up.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:26am #592995
providencefriars1ParticipantIggy everyone does not return! They lose Justin Knox who was their first big off the bench last year and played some significant minutes. This role will be easily replaced by Mcadoo but I just had to bring that up.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:35am #593440
lalailaParticipantHarrison measured 6’8.5 223 he is as young as some sophmores he could easily grow into 6’9 230 physical spiceman at sf..in my eyes lock to be top3.
JNixon- with the statistics expected for McAdoo i believe you think he is 2013 draftee, right?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:35am #593470
lalailaParticipantHarrison measured 6’8.5 223 he is as young as some sophmores he could easily grow into 6’9 230 physical spiceman at sf..in my eyes lock to be top3.
JNixon- with the statistics expected for McAdoo i believe you think he is 2013 draftee, right?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:35am #593001
lalailaParticipantHarrison measured 6’8.5 223 he is as young as some sophmores he could easily grow into 6’9 230 physical spiceman at sf..in my eyes lock to be top3.
JNixon- with the statistics expected for McAdoo i believe you think he is 2013 draftee, right?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 10:42am #593449
JNixonParticipantYeah McAdoo to me isnt a 2012 draft pick. 2013 is more likely
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 10:42am #593479
JNixonParticipantYeah McAdoo to me isnt a 2012 draft pick. 2013 is more likely
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 10:42am #593009
JNixonParticipantYeah McAdoo to me isnt a 2012 draft pick. 2013 is more likely
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:05pm #593468
RUDEBOY_ParticipantMcAdoo is already on scouts and nba teams radar..So if he plays well ,even in limited minutes,his stats wont matter…He could still be a 2012 draftee….
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:05pm #593497
RUDEBOY_ParticipantMcAdoo is already on scouts and nba teams radar..So if he plays well ,even in limited minutes,his stats wont matter…He could still be a 2012 draftee….
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:05pm #593027
RUDEBOY_ParticipantMcAdoo is already on scouts and nba teams radar..So if he plays well ,even in limited minutes,his stats wont matter…He could still be a 2012 draftee….
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 2:54pm #593539
TooNice4TVParticipantHe’ll be in the 2012 draft based on his potential alone… That’s what so many people lean towards now a days
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 2:54pm #593572
TooNice4TVParticipantHe’ll be in the 2012 draft based on his potential alone… That’s what so many people lean towards now a days
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 2:54pm #593100
TooNice4TVParticipantHe’ll be in the 2012 draft based on his potential alone… That’s what so many people lean towards now a days
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 3:02pm #593542
Lotto StudParticipantDexxx Factor!!!!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 3:02pm #593575
Lotto StudParticipantDexxx Factor!!!!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 3:02pm #593103
Lotto StudParticipantDexxx Factor!!!!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 3:34pm #593551
JNixonParticipantI mean it could happen, he could declare. But why not be patient? What’s the rush. He’ll get starter time and prove his worth if he waits until his Sph. season. Zeller will be gone, and Henson probably will be too. He could rush it, but why?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 3:34pm #593584
JNixonParticipantI mean it could happen, he could declare. But why not be patient? What’s the rush. He’ll get starter time and prove his worth if he waits until his Sph. season. Zeller will be gone, and Henson probably will be too. He could rush it, but why?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 08/23/2011 - 3:34pm #593112
JNixonParticipantI mean it could happen, he could declare. But why not be patient? What’s the rush. He’ll get starter time and prove his worth if he waits until his Sph. season. Zeller will be gone, and Henson probably will be too. He could rush it, but why?
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 3:30am #593719
omphalosParticipantPlaying without Barnes, Henson, Zeller and probably Marshall will force him to be the first option on a much worse team, which could expose some of his weaknesses with all the attention he’ll get. If he plays well in limited minutes and they make the title game he should bolt for the NBA in my opinion, because it’s hard to see his draft stock getting any higher if he has a successful freshman season.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 3:30am #593751
omphalosParticipantPlaying without Barnes, Henson, Zeller and probably Marshall will force him to be the first option on a much worse team, which could expose some of his weaknesses with all the attention he’ll get. If he plays well in limited minutes and they make the title game he should bolt for the NBA in my opinion, because it’s hard to see his draft stock getting any higher if he has a successful freshman season.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 3:30am #593280
omphalosParticipantPlaying without Barnes, Henson, Zeller and probably Marshall will force him to be the first option on a much worse team, which could expose some of his weaknesses with all the attention he’ll get. If he plays well in limited minutes and they make the title game he should bolt for the NBA in my opinion, because it’s hard to see his draft stock getting any higher if he has a successful freshman season.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 4:05am #593722
JNixonParticipantHow so? He’s a projected lotto pick right now. If he puts up the stats of a guy who’s coming off the bench, how would he know he’s going to stay in the top 10? I would seriously doubt he does, just due to other players getting better throughout the year and raising their stock, and the fact that he won’t be a starter. Kendall Marshall could return, Strickland, Hairston, Bullock, and the 2 guys they have coming in for the 2012 class are gonna be in the fold so teams would wanna know what the rush is if he left early. I don’t see it as smart if he left early, I see it as he would be scared of exposing weaknesses that are already there for the sake of a draft stock that honestly isn’t even there yet.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 4:05am #593754
JNixonParticipantHow so? He’s a projected lotto pick right now. If he puts up the stats of a guy who’s coming off the bench, how would he know he’s going to stay in the top 10? I would seriously doubt he does, just due to other players getting better throughout the year and raising their stock, and the fact that he won’t be a starter. Kendall Marshall could return, Strickland, Hairston, Bullock, and the 2 guys they have coming in for the 2012 class are gonna be in the fold so teams would wanna know what the rush is if he left early. I don’t see it as smart if he left early, I see it as he would be scared of exposing weaknesses that are already there for the sake of a draft stock that honestly isn’t even there yet.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 4:05am #593283
JNixonParticipantHow so? He’s a projected lotto pick right now. If he puts up the stats of a guy who’s coming off the bench, how would he know he’s going to stay in the top 10? I would seriously doubt he does, just due to other players getting better throughout the year and raising their stock, and the fact that he won’t be a starter. Kendall Marshall could return, Strickland, Hairston, Bullock, and the 2 guys they have coming in for the 2012 class are gonna be in the fold so teams would wanna know what the rush is if he left early. I don’t see it as smart if he left early, I see it as he would be scared of exposing weaknesses that are already there for the sake of a draft stock that honestly isn’t even there yet.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 5:22am #593767
omphalosParticipantAssuming that with good play he keeps the same lottery billing, I can’t see why he’d stick around to have his stock potentially drop. We’ve seen it countless times where players return to college and teams lose interest. I’m not saying it would be the best decision for him as a player, but financially it would make sense to leave while the leaving’s good.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 5:22am #593799
omphalosParticipantAssuming that with good play he keeps the same lottery billing, I can’t see why he’d stick around to have his stock potentially drop. We’ve seen it countless times where players return to college and teams lose interest. I’m not saying it would be the best decision for him as a player, but financially it would make sense to leave while the leaving’s good.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/24/2011 - 5:22am #593328
omphalosParticipantAssuming that with good play he keeps the same lottery billing, I can’t see why he’d stick around to have his stock potentially drop. We’ve seen it countless times where players return to college and teams lose interest. I’m not saying it would be the best decision for him as a player, but financially it would make sense to leave while the leaving’s good.
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