2017-2018 NC Hoops

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
Oh and with the compromised repeal of HB2, the tourney will be returning to the state. Charlotte will host the first and second round.
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
Is he hiring an agent?

Tony Bradley is going to test the waters. This is really big deal for Carolina. With Hicks and Meeks graduating our frontcourt is now Tony Bradley, Luke Maye and that's it. We haven't been that thin up front in years (since I guess the David Noel post championship year where he played C and PF). If Bradley goes we're in real trouble and the truth is he's probably the best future pro on the team and would be smart to go.
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
So I just looked at our incoming recruiting class to see if there was a big man there. There are two coming in, a 6'9 center Brandon Huffman who is ranked outside of the top 100 (he's the 25th ranked center in the class) but a four star guy and Sterling Manley a 6'10 3 star guy ranked as the 43rd best center in the class.

Needless to say, we'll need Bradley to stay to be a top 25 team.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
Is he hiring an agent?

Tony Bradley is going to test the waters. This is really big deal for Carolina. With Hicks and Meeks graduating our frontcourt is now Tony Bradley, Luke Maye and that's it. We haven't been that thin up front in years (since I guess the David Noel post championship year where he played C and PF). If Bradley goes we're in real trouble and the truth is he's probably the best future pro on the team and would be smart to go.
He is going to, yeah
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111
Find some fake classes, strippers, and 250k for Kevin Knox.

In all seriousness, it's going to be a bad year for UNC. The lack of recruits is finally catching up. Jackson, Berry, and Pinson was the last great class.

I'm not sure Bradley goes in the first round. He's not that athletic and is fairly limited in how he scores. Could be a bad move for the kid.
 

JShams

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Jul 3, 2001
1,109
Bradley is in a weird position. At best he's an end of the first round guy, which would likely lead to him leaving. However, he will have a chance to be THE post player in Roy's system next year, which will lead to him either fully demonstrating his potential, or being exposed as offensively limited.

In the Championship game he did all the things well that we knew he could do well...defend, rebound and make a lay-up. At the same time it showed his limitations... poor touch from more than 6 feet out and some bad decision making (in one instance I believe he missed a wide open Hicks and took a 14 ft line drive jumper instead).

A good sophomore season could lead to a Jackson like leap in his draft stock, or he could take a James Michael McAdoo-esque plunge.
 

Greg29fan

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Jul 14, 2005
20,484
NC
I sorta hope that Bradley goes cause it would help with the one and done stigma that we fight in every recruiting battle. But if he came back that would be more than wonderful too.

I think Carolina has only taken one grad transfer (Justin Knox) in Roy's entire tenure. It's an avenue that should be explored, but Knox also got his name dragged through the mud by the News & Observer for nothing more than being a grad transfer and that was somehow part of the academic junk, so that can't be very palatable for anybody looking.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
Does anyone?
Well last year he played awesome and I honestly thought the tripping stuff was overblown. This year he seemed to let everything get to him. While I realize he is a 20 year old kid, I am not a huge fan of athletes that appear to be affected by that type of pressure. His 2017 season was like the total opposite of JJ Redick going into F-U mode and dropping 30 a night while the Maryland fans literally chanted "fuck-you-J-J (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)" all game. If you're gonna be a villain, then by all means vill. Grayson is a baby.
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111
The last great year for UNC keeps being predicted and we keep hanging banners.
I mean, lets be fair. UNC has been a top 10 preseason ranked team last 3 years. Maybe you're referring to the crazy Duke fan on this site or other sites.

The last 3 years Carolina has had NBA players on its roster and/or seniors that are All-Conference level players. Next year this isn't the case at all.

If Bradley leaves the roster is:

PG - Berry
SG Felton?
SF - Pinson
PF - Luke Maye
C - Sterling Manley?

The bench of Woods, Robinson, Williams, Huffman.

That is a weak roster. Not as bad as the Bill Guthridge Tar Heels, but it's a team that will struggle to score.

I'll be wrong if Felton or Manley turn out to be better than expected.
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
After each of the last two titles we struggled and had similar looking squads.

In 09/10 we were 20-7, 5-11 in the ACC and went to the NIT. In 05/06 we lost in the second round to George Mason, finishing 23-8/12-4.

Now, we're looking closer to 09/10 then 05/06 AND right now the pipeline is not the same as it was in those years as far as recruiting classes but with the Championship and (hopefully soon) the end of the investigation, we should be back fairly soon.

If Bradley and Berry leave and we don't land Knox then we're not even a tournament team.

If Bradley leaves, Berry stays and we don't land Knox then we're a bubble team.

If Bradley and Berry stay and we land Knox then we'll be a top 15 team, maybe even top 10.

The issue is Felton is our only good recruit and it appears he's a good recruit, not a great recruit. And it's not like Seventh + BROB are impact players yet. They might be by their Senior seasons, maybe Junior but that's an optimistic scenario.

The scandal just is killing our recruiting.
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111
I sorta hope that Bradley goes cause it would help with the one and done stigma that we fight in every recruiting battle. But if he came back that would be more than wonderful too.

I think Carolina has only taken one grad transfer (Justin Knox) in Roy's entire tenure. It's an avenue that should be explored, but Knox also got his name dragged through the mud by the News & Observer for nothing more than being a grad transfer and that was somehow part of the academic junk, so that can't be very palatable for anybody looking.
I really hope he doesn't. While it would be great for recruits to see one and done development can happen at UNC, this could also be bad. If Bradley goes into the 2nd round, that's not a good look.

I do think recruiting will get back on track. The academic scandal has been a few years now. There's been no indication men's basketball will be punished. Roy has signed 2 4 stars already for 2018 - Rechon Black and Coby White. And Roy is on a number of 5 star guys. The National championship could help too.
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
I would hesitate to sign with UNC if I was a one and done player; I really don't blame him. Coach K & Calipari and Arizona feature their star freshman. We don't. That's good and bad. Obviously I like the way we do it but as a player I understand going to Duke, KY, AZ or choosing a lesser program such as UCLA, LSU and (apparently) Missouri (Cal & Washington before) and just getting your time in.
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111
I'll be surprised if he stays in the draft. He doesn't really have an elite skill set and isn't that athletic. My guess is he'll be told that he's a 2nd round pick.

I feel the same about Bradley, but he has size so maybe he gets feedback he could go late in the first.
 

uk_sox_fan

Member
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Nov 11, 2006
1,273
London, England
It's also a very strong year for PGs (Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, De'aaron Fox, Dennis Smith, Frank Mason, Frank Ntilikina, PJ Dozier, Juwon Evans, Nigel Williams-Goss, Kobi Simmons, etc)
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
Jackson has just been all over the place though. It has been a really strange offseason for him. I assume K is recruiting over him but he certainly had to know that was the deal going in. Weird stuff.
 

Greg29fan

Member
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Jul 14, 2005
20,484
NC
I assume K is recruiting over him but he certainly had to know that was the deal going in.
Yep, Trevon Duval.

Everything seems to be pointing towards Bradley leaving - UNC picked up Garrison Brooks, another PF/C for next year, and Roy met with a possible grad transfer at the same spots as well.
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111
Yep, Trevon Duval.

Everything seems to be pointing towards Bradley leaving - UNC picked up Garrison Brooks, another PF/C for next year, and Roy met with a possible grad transfer at the same spots as well.
Anything specific that you have read regarding Bradley?
 

Greg29fan

Member
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Jul 14, 2005
20,484
NC
I don't think he's that raw - he's got good post moves, a nice hook shot, and was even showing off a 12-15 foot jumper late in the year. I question his stamina/conditioning the most cause he wasn't staying on the court for long periods, and that would greatly improve with a year in the s&c program at Carolina.

But if he's got a decent first round grade (I think I've seen him around 28th lately), then I could definitely see him wanting to go.
 

trotsplits

Member
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Jul 15, 2005
665
I don't think he's that raw - he's got good post moves, a nice hook shot, and was even showing off a 12-15 foot jumper late in the year.
You're closer to the mark. I was gonna edit my post to strike "beyond" raw. He produced in some games and I was looking forward to seeing him develop in '17-'18.
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111
Joel already announced he's coming back next year.
That is good news. And probably a smart move by him. He is a good college player, but I don't see much of an NBA career for him. I expect Pinson to return as well.

I'm starting to think there is a real chance Bradley leaves even if he isn't guaranteed a first round pick.
 

rhopkins2323

New Member
Mar 14, 2010
111

JShams

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
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Jul 3, 2001
1,109
The rumor on Brooks was that he always wanted to go to Carolina, but his father was employed at Miss St. and pushed him towards signing there. Then Mom got involved and Miss St. granted his immediate release.

It would be great if Carolina gets Knox, but the process with him has gone from annoying to prima donna-ish. I know the McDonald's All-America game is nothing more than a glorified pick-up game, but he was not one of the more intriguing players on the court that night.
 

DukeSox

absence hasn't made the heart grow fonder
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2005
11,742
So UNC signed Garrison Brooks, a 4 star 6'10 post player.

Duke signed a 3 star (really?) PG, Jordan Goldwire http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/05/01/duke-lands-commitment-from-2017-guard/
Practice squad guy:

"Duke hasn’t signed top target Trevon Duval yet but Goldwire is clear about his early role: "They didn't promise me anything," Goldwire told ESPN. “They said they needed another ball handler who would be able to run the second group. It's a great opportunity for me."
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
People seemed surprised and I guess I was too in a way just because Kentucky usually locks their top class up pretty quick and isn't involved in a ton of late drama recruiting. But, whatever, he chose to play behind two guys in his own class more highly regarded than him at the same position.

I'd rather have Luke Maye.
 

mauf

Anderson Cooper × Mr. Rogers
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sorry to go off-topic, but what's Cal's plan to meet NCAA graduation rate requirements? He's sending three freshmen to the NBA this summer, and of the five kids he's got coming in this fall, I'd be shocked if more than two are playing at UK as juniors. Makes me wonder if Cal doesn't plan to be in Lexington in five years when the bill comes due.
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
Seems like a good sign for Duval. I don't understand the strategy of recruiting over guys. I know, for me, seeing a seasoned class make it to two straight finals and eventually win the whole thing was a lot of fun but to each his own. Duke fans seem to be more along the "the next shiny thing is better than our current players."
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
I think that may have been the case for a few years but I personally am over it. Plus it is a form of rationalization
 

Drocca

darrell foster wallace
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
17,585
Raleigh, NC
I think a Sophmore Jackson would be better than a Freshman Duval even if Duval is the sexier prospects.
 

DukeSox

absence hasn't made the heart grow fonder
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2005
11,742
Which is why Sophomore Jackson is going to the NBA. This isn't hard.