[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

ncballer had the inside scoop that Kennedy was thinking NBA before this season and thought he was about 80 percent gone….He was not invited to the NBA combine and most likely saw the writing on the wall.  As of now, he is not an NBA player.  He could have an amazing jump from his junior to senior season and put himself in great position to be drafted like Brice Johnson.  Meeks is nowhere close to the athlete Johnson is.  I have been waiting for kennedy to break out for 3 years now and it just hasn’t happened.  He puts in the work over the summer but just seems like he lacks a motor and aggressiveness and the mindset to go from a good player to a dominant one.  Meeks and Isaiah Hicks should form one of the best front courts in the nation next year. 

[TRC1991Participant]

Kevin Love is the only fat draftee who’s panned out

 

 

 

[ropeParticipant]

 Charles Barkely figured things out OK.

[ropeParticipant]

 Charles Barkely figured things out OK.

[TRC1991Participant]

Kevin Love is the only fat draftee who’s panned out

 

 

 

[ncballer]

 James Michael McAdoo is to thank for this one.  They had a long convo and he decided to come back.  He made the best decision in my opinion!   Welcome back Kennedy!  Looking for consistency this coming season.

[ncballer]

 James Michael McAdoo is to thank for this one.  They had a long convo and he decided to come back.  He made the best decision in my opinion!   Welcome back Kennedy!  Looking for consistency this coming season.

[airenn34Participant]

Kennedy coming back gives us a top 3 ACC finish and a sweet 16 looking team. If Jackson returns we definitely have a chance of retaining the ACC crown and push for another final 4. I wouldn’t necessarily call Kevin Love fat when he came out. He was already special for a big burly kid. I would sooner call Jared Sullinger or Big Baby tubby. Speaking of Sullinger, Kennedy kind of reminds me of him without the motor. Every season Meeks has improved his physique and if he can gain some explosiveness he can do a lot of damage senior year and be at least an early second rounder. Dont think he’ll ever develop a mean streak but he’s got great hands and he knows how to use that girth so he’s far from a finished product.

[airenn34Participant]

Kennedy coming back gives us a top 3 ACC finish and a sweet 16 looking team. If Jackson returns we definitely have a chance of retaining the ACC crown and push for another final 4. I wouldn’t necessarily call Kevin Love fat when he came out. He was already special for a big burly kid. I would sooner call Jared Sullinger or Big Baby tubby. Speaking of Sullinger, Kennedy kind of reminds me of him without the motor. Every season Meeks has improved his physique and if he can gain some explosiveness he can do a lot of damage senior year and be at least an early second rounder. Dont think he’ll ever develop a mean streak but he’s got great hands and he knows how to use that girth so he’s far from a finished product.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I thought Meeks was going to bust out after his freshman year. His Sophomore year was solid, then he took a step back last year. 

He’s a nice college player and if Jackson comes back, UNC will be good again. Not Championship contender good, but good enough to win 22-25 games and get a top-5 seed in a tournament bracket. The rest of the ACC should be down after Duke and Virginia, so Meeks coming back is a nice boost for UNC for sure. 

Don’t really care about his NBA future, don’t think he has one, but I’m hoping Meeks can give the Tar Heels 14 points and 8 rebounds per game. 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I thought Meeks was going to bust out after his freshman year. His Sophomore year was solid, then he took a step back last year. 

He’s a nice college player and if Jackson comes back, UNC will be good again. Not Championship contender good, but good enough to win 22-25 games and get a top-5 seed in a tournament bracket. The rest of the ACC should be down after Duke and Virginia, so Meeks coming back is a nice boost for UNC for sure. 

Don’t really care about his NBA future, don’t think he has one, but I’m hoping Meeks can give the Tar Heels 14 points and 8 rebounds per game. 

 

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Him coming back is big for unc but I wouldn’t put their front court anywhere near the likes of Kansas, Duke or Kentucky.

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Him coming back is big for unc but I wouldn’t put their front court anywhere near the likes of Kansas, Duke or Kentucky.

[ncballer]

Kentucky for sure and Duke, I.  Kansas?  What?  They will have Lucas, Bragg, Azuibuke and possible Diallo all very very raw players.  Am I missing something here?  Give me Meeks, Hicks and Bradley over them.  

[ncballer]

Kentucky for sure and Duke, I.  Kansas?  What?  They will have Lucas, Bragg, Azuibuke and possible Diallo all very very raw players.  Am I missing something here?  Give me Meeks, Hicks and Bradley over them.  

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 Harry Giles is coming back from an ACL surgery and will not have played competitively for a whole year.  Amile Jefferson will be full recovered from his foot injury and will have a solid year.  Chase Jeter was ridiculously bad for Duke this year,  You’re telling me those guys are so much better than Hicks and Meeks who will both be seniors this year????  Please….

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 Harry Giles is coming back from an ACL surgery and will not have played competitively for a whole year.  Amile Jefferson will be full recovered from his foot injury and will have a solid year.  Chase Jeter was ridiculously bad for Duke this year,  You’re telling me those guys are so much better than Hicks and Meeks who will both be seniors this year????  Please….

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Meeks is not good. Every unc fan wants him to be but he’s just simply not that good. I’ll take Giles coming off an acl surgery over a guy who got his shot blocked by a 6’5 guard who isn’t even defensively inclined (Luke Kennard). Hicks will be solid..if he can stay out of foul trouble which has been a big if over his career. They also have more bodies. Giles, Jefferson, Obi, Jeter, Delaulier, Vrank> Meeks, Hicks, Maye, the freshman big they have coming in whose name I can’t think of at the moment.

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

 Meeks is not good. Every unc fan wants him to be but he’s just simply not that good. I’ll take Giles coming off an acl surgery over a guy who got his shot blocked by a 6’5 guard who isn’t even defensively inclined (Luke Kennard). Hicks will be solid..if he can stay out of foul trouble which has been a big if over his career. They also have more bodies. Giles, Jefferson, Obi, Jeter, Delaulier, Vrank> Meeks, Hicks, Maye, the freshman big they have coming in whose name I can’t think of at the moment.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 @Tarheelraven

C’mon dude. 

Meeks averaged 9 points per game last year against Plumlee and whoever else was playing inside in thsoe Duke matchups. That was with Brice Johnson next to him. 

I love me some UNC, but you can’t be serious if you think the UNC frontcourt is going to dominate teams like Duke this upcoming season. Giles by February will have played a lot of competitive basketball. Jeter can’t be worse and Jefferson is better than Plumlee. 

I think UNC will safely be a top 8-15 team most of next season. The only teams I’d consider firmly ahead of them are Duke and Virginia in the ACC. That is dependant on Meeks looking more like his sophomore self than junior and Jackson/Berry continuing to emerge as all-conference type guys. 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 @Tarheelraven

C’mon dude. 

Meeks averaged 9 points per game last year against Plumlee and whoever else was playing inside in thsoe Duke matchups. That was with Brice Johnson next to him. 

I love me some UNC, but you can’t be serious if you think the UNC frontcourt is going to dominate teams like Duke this upcoming season. Giles by February will have played a lot of competitive basketball. Jeter can’t be worse and Jefferson is better than Plumlee. 

I think UNC will safely be a top 8-15 team most of next season. The only teams I’d consider firmly ahead of them are Duke and Virginia in the ACC. That is dependant on Meeks looking more like his sophomore self than junior and Jackson/Berry continuing to emerge as all-conference type guys. 

 

 

 

 

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

 If anybody thinks Giles isnt going to come in and play extremely well like every top freshman dukes had the past 3 years(parker, okafor, Ingram) then youre mistaking. Dukes frontcourt if you include the 3, will have Tatum and Giles(top 5 picks) and a very seasoned 5th year senior with Jefferson. Thats a pretty dominating front court on paper. We will see if it holds up. Im betting that it will having seen both Giles and Tatum play in person at the peach jam a few times. Ive also watched Giles in person 20+ times being in Greensboro and him playing at Weslyean Christian academy. Hes more skilled then Ben Simmons, Simmons has a better body. 

[DanielcmccartyParticipant]

 If anybody thinks Giles isnt going to come in and play extremely well like every top freshman dukes had the past 3 years(parker, okafor, Ingram) then youre mistaking. Dukes frontcourt if you include the 3, will have Tatum and Giles(top 5 picks) and a very seasoned 5th year senior with Jefferson. Thats a pretty dominating front court on paper. We will see if it holds up. Im betting that it will having seen both Giles and Tatum play in person at the peach jam a few times. Ive also watched Giles in person 20+ times being in Greensboro and him playing at Weslyean Christian academy. Hes more skilled then Ben Simmons, Simmons has a better body. 

[airenn34Participant]

You cant deny Duke has a pretty lethal frontcourt. A rusty Giles im guessing will still be talented. Amile Jefferson is seasoned and they may still get Marques Bolden with added depth of Delaurier and Jeter who may be overrated. Given all that I will still take my chances on UNC. Dont forget Hicks and Meeks were McDonalds All Americans and experience will be huge. Add to that a crafty Berry will be setting the bigs up. Everyone is talking about Giles and Tatum. Dont sleep on Tony Bradley! Actually sleep on Tony Bradley so that he comes in and eats up the competition.

[airenn34Participant]

You cant deny Duke has a pretty lethal frontcourt. A rusty Giles im guessing will still be talented. Amile Jefferson is seasoned and they may still get Marques Bolden with added depth of Delaurier and Jeter who may be overrated. Given all that I will still take my chances on UNC. Dont forget Hicks and Meeks were McDonalds All Americans and experience will be huge. Add to that a crafty Berry will be setting the bigs up. Everyone is talking about Giles and Tatum. Dont sleep on Tony Bradley! Actually sleep on Tony Bradley so that he comes in and eats up the competition.

[ncballer]

 I keep telling people who have not seen Tony Bradley play live, that his mixtape is very deceptive.  He is not a sexy looking player, but man he gets the job done.  I may get crucified for saying this, but in terms of college readiness I do not think there is a huge gap between him and Marques Bolden.  Bolden has much more NBA upside, but as of now I think he is only slightly more college ready.  

[ncballer]

 I keep telling people who have not seen Tony Bradley play live, that his mixtape is very deceptive.  He is not a sexy looking player, but man he gets the job done.  I may get crucified for saying this, but in terms of college readiness I do not think there is a huge gap between him and Marques Bolden.  Bolden has much more NBA upside, but as of now I think he is only slightly more college ready.  

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

Duke’s front court will be more talented and they will have more depth. The only thing unc’s front court has on Duke’s is experience. But they’re bringing back a 5th year senior who’s best quality is leadership so that should help offset.

[I.C.Y.U.NV.MEParticipant]

Duke’s front court will be more talented and they will have more depth. The only thing unc’s front court has on Duke’s is experience. But they’re bringing back a 5th year senior who’s best quality is leadership so that should help offset.

[ncballer]

 I am not understanding the Virginia hype on this thread?  They lose Gill, and ACC POY Brogdon, Nolte and Tobey.  They bring in Nichols who was inconsistant his freshman season at Memphis.  I like Kyle Guy but believe he is a year from making major contributions.  They do have a hell of a coach, I will give them that, but I think as of now I think they are a distant third from Duke and UNC in that order (regardless if Jackson comes back).  FSU on paper could be really nasty next season, but underachieved significantly this past season.  They are a team to keep an eye on.  

Meeks is enigma.  He looked amazing at the beginning of the season, had his injury and never really looked the same the rest of the season.  I am hoping it was an injury issue, but he started to bring it more consistently.  I could not fault his effort against Nova, although he had a bad game.  I think he steps it up knowing that there is a starting C behind him.  The days of Joel James being his backup are over.  People can dogg on Meeks but he also thouroughly outplayed Okafor in Cameron two seasons ago.  He is capable, just needs to bring it more consistently.    

I agree with the poster above about Giles.  The guy is UBER talented and unless he is just not as explosive as he once was, I expect him to have a major Ben Simmons type impact.  Seeing him in HS was a treat.  Their best lineup will be Jackson, Allen, Kennard, Tatum and Giles.  Just a very very very hard lineup to guard.  

For UNC expect Hicks to explode and Berry to be one of the top 3 PGs in the nation next season.  I also think Tony Bradley is very ready for college to provide 15-20 mpg off the bat.  Woods is a wildcard.  Robinson will contribute his sophomore season.  I am telling you all right now, watch out for my boy Kenny Williams.  Guy is a hawk on defense and with a bigger role watch his pretty stroke come into fruition.  I think he makes a huge jump.  Pinson will live up more to his billing I believe after having a full summer to play against pros (recoverd from foot surgery last summer which hindered his development).  Excuse my homer talk, but is hard for me not to be optimistic for another deep run.

 

   

 

 

 

[ncballer]

 I am not understanding the Virginia hype on this thread?  They lose Gill, and ACC POY Brogdon, Nolte and Tobey.  They bring in Nichols who was inconsistant his freshman season at Memphis.  I like Kyle Guy but believe he is a year from making major contributions.  They do have a hell of a coach, I will give them that, but I think as of now I think they are a distant third from Duke and UNC in that order (regardless if Jackson comes back).  FSU on paper could be really nasty next season, but underachieved significantly this past season.  They are a team to keep an eye on.  

Meeks is enigma.  He looked amazing at the beginning of the season, had his injury and never really looked the same the rest of the season.  I am hoping it was an injury issue, but he started to bring it more consistently.  I could not fault his effort against Nova, although he had a bad game.  I think he steps it up knowing that there is a starting C behind him.  The days of Joel James being his backup are over.  People can dogg on Meeks but he also thouroughly outplayed Okafor in Cameron two seasons ago.  He is capable, just needs to bring it more consistently.    

I agree with the poster above about Giles.  The guy is UBER talented and unless he is just not as explosive as he once was, I expect him to have a major Ben Simmons type impact.  Seeing him in HS was a treat.  Their best lineup will be Jackson, Allen, Kennard, Tatum and Giles.  Just a very very very hard lineup to guard.  

For UNC expect Hicks to explode and Berry to be one of the top 3 PGs in the nation next season.  I also think Tony Bradley is very ready for college to provide 15-20 mpg off the bat.  Woods is a wildcard.  Robinson will contribute his sophomore season.  I am telling you all right now, watch out for my boy Kenny Williams.  Guy is a hawk on defense and with a bigger role watch his pretty stroke come into fruition.  I think he makes a huge jump.  Pinson will live up more to his billing I believe after having a full summer to play against pros (recoverd from foot surgery last summer which hindered his development).  Excuse my homer talk, but is hard for me not to be optimistic for another deep run.

 

   

 

 

 

[airenn34Participant]

 Ncballer how good is Woods really? I have a hard time believing he’s the 40th best player in this class. All I see on highlight reels is a stone scorer. That tape of him against Dennis Smith. Looked like a toss up to me on who was better. Where do you predict him in the rotation?

[airenn34Participant]

 Ncballer how good is Woods really? I have a hard time believing he’s the 40th best player in this class. All I see on highlight reels is a stone scorer. That tape of him against Dennis Smith. Looked like a toss up to me on who was better. Where do you predict him in the rotation?

[UncledrewParticipant]

Woods looks like he’s calmed his game down since he’s first year in high school. He looks more polished and controlled with his decision making . His athleticism doesn’t jump out on tape anymore imo but he’s still elite at the college level. His pro potential will be determined how well he can run a team, but with Berry running the show he won’t have to right away. At the least he looks like a super 6th man for Carolina this year and a explosive scorer off the bench. 

[UncledrewParticipant]

Woods looks like he’s calmed his game down since he’s first year in high school. He looks more polished and controlled with his decision making . His athleticism doesn’t jump out on tape anymore imo but he’s still elite at the college level. His pro potential will be determined how well he can run a team, but with Berry running the show he won’t have to right away. At the least he looks like a super 6th man for Carolina this year and a explosive scorer off the bench. 

[ncballer]

 Woods is enigma.  This guy will go off for 40 against Dennis Smith, also hold Jalek Felton scoreless then turn around and look average against nobodies.  The way he moves and attacks is similar to Demetrius Jackson.  Like Jackson, I believe his greatest strength is attacking the rim and using his elite athleticism to finish.  Woods’ problem is not talent, his problem is that he started to try and please his critics too much.  He went from an aggressive score first machine to a passive wannabe pass first PG.  That is not him playing to his strengths.  Even in that attempted transition, most view him as a SG.  He is the most difficult prospect to project in some time.  The optimist in me says that Roy turns him into a 6th man tells him to just attack the rim every chance he gets and to take every open 3 he gets.  My biggest reservation with him is that mindsets are hard to overcome.  Would he embrace that role or be uncomfortable with it?  

[ncballer]

 Woods is enigma.  This guy will go off for 40 against Dennis Smith, also hold Jalek Felton scoreless then turn around and look average against nobodies.  The way he moves and attacks is similar to Demetrius Jackson.  Like Jackson, I believe his greatest strength is attacking the rim and using his elite athleticism to finish.  Woods’ problem is not talent, his problem is that he started to try and please his critics too much.  He went from an aggressive score first machine to a passive wannabe pass first PG.  That is not him playing to his strengths.  Even in that attempted transition, most view him as a SG.  He is the most difficult prospect to project in some time.  The optimist in me says that Roy turns him into a 6th man tells him to just attack the rim every chance he gets and to take every open 3 he gets.  My biggest reservation with him is that mindsets are hard to overcome.  Would he embrace that role or be uncomfortable with it?  

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 @NCball – the hype on Virginia, at least from my perspective is completely related to coaching and system. Bennett is terrific and from a program structure standpoint, they are positioned well to handle graduations because guys have been around long enough. Justin Anderson went from a nice bench player to a potential ACC POY. Gill went from a solid rotation guy to a legit All-Conference guy. 

Losing Brogden will hurt, no doubt about that. But if I’m pinning my hopes to a coach getting everything he can out of his players, Tony Bennett is near the top of the list. 

They won’t win the National Title or anything, but I think in conference play, they will win a ton of games. 

UNC has more talent, but they are inconsistent. Has been that way for the last five years. Past doesnt always predict future but that’s how I look at Carolina now. That doesnt mean they wont have a great year. They should be among the best in the country. But if people think they’ll be better, I think they’ll be disappointed. 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 @NCball – the hype on Virginia, at least from my perspective is completely related to coaching and system. Bennett is terrific and from a program structure standpoint, they are positioned well to handle graduations because guys have been around long enough. Justin Anderson went from a nice bench player to a potential ACC POY. Gill went from a solid rotation guy to a legit All-Conference guy. 

Losing Brogden will hurt, no doubt about that. But if I’m pinning my hopes to a coach getting everything he can out of his players, Tony Bennett is near the top of the list. 

They won’t win the National Title or anything, but I think in conference play, they will win a ton of games. 

UNC has more talent, but they are inconsistent. Has been that way for the last five years. Past doesnt always predict future but that’s how I look at Carolina now. That doesnt mean they wont have a great year. They should be among the best in the country. But if people think they’ll be better, I think they’ll be disappointed. 

 

 

 

[LeroyJenkinsParticipant]

Kennedy Meeks physique reminds me of Rudeboys mom in her prime

[LeroyJenkinsParticipant]

Kennedy Meeks physique reminds me of Rudeboys mom in her prime

[Author]

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