Hot Stove: UNC Basketball

[rodoheel]

On the IC free board. Someone posted a tweet. Haven't done any research to confirm.

The issue isnt really what position he played, it’s that he was never tasked with being the primary offense creator, because Clifford filled that role. But he’s not going to have anyone like Clifford next to him next year - unless Drake comes back and makes a transformative leap.

 

[SnoopRob]

Tyson to the portal. Heard he was 50/50 early on. Don't know if Jarin Stevenson/Kanon Catchings has anything to do with that. WIll ask in the morn.

 

[fsclark1]

On the IC free board. Someone posted a tweet. Haven't done any research to confirm.

I'm a little skeptical that Evans moved to the point over the last 14 games. His assists per game over that stretch was 3.2, which was 0.1 higher than his season average. However, Nique Clifford's assists per game over that stretch was 4.9, which was 0.5 higher than his season average.

Still seems like Nique Clifford was the primary ballhandler and creator all season, and Evans was the beneficiary on the catch-and-shoot when Clifford stepped up his game even further in February and March. The "87th percentile in assists" had to have been describing the team rather than Evans himself.

 

[Zoo_View]

I hope our basketball GM, or whatever his title is, is in close contact with several foreign players who are good.

 

[Heelsandeers]

We've taken a step back "talent" wise from IJ/EC but may be a better team because of it.

IJ, EC, and RJ. It's a pretty big step down

Our starting heights may be:

6'2
6'3
6'9
6'10
7'0

Taller across the board, could be a really dynamic defensive team. Going to have offensive issues IMO but maybe play a bit more disciplined. I see us as a likely tournament team with sweet 16 upside, not a standard UNC team but hopefully better than this past year.

If 6'9 is Catchings and Drake leaves I'm a lot less optimistic

A season hinging on Evans, Wilson, and Catchings would be a big gamble

A lot of upside with all 3 players but the floor is extremely low

But yes... defense and rebounding will have to be the way

 

[finesse]

IJ, EC, and RJ. It's a pretty big step down



If 6'9 is Catchings and Drake leaves I'm a lot less optimistic

A season hinging on Evans, Wilson, and Catchings would be a big gamble

A lot of upside with all 3 players but the floor is extremely low

But yes... defense and rebounding will have to be the way

Unless and until the portal situation finds some stability, every year is going to be a gamble for pretty much everybody. It's looking like Duke could be the exception. They have had the money and commitment for some years limited only by a certain need for secrecy no longer necessary. I expect Kentucky back there as well for similar reasons.

 

[CRHeel94]

Evans is okay, but not really an upgrade over Cadeau. He's bigger so you would hope that helps on the defensive end. Him and Trimble as a starting backcourt (with two frosh as the backups) doesn't do it for me.

I do like what they've been doing in the front court. Think we will be solid there. Could have used Tyson's shooting but he never fit in quite right.

 

[Bigs23]

Evans is okay, but not really an upgrade over Cadeau. He's bigger so you would hope that helps on the defensive end. Him and Trimble as a starting backcourt (with two frosh as the backups) doesn't do it for me.

I do like what they've been doing in the front court. Think we will be solid there. Could have used Tyson's shooting but he never fit in quite right.

If Catchings comes I think the Heels will have upgraded overall as a team even if the overall talent has not. Much better size and balance.

 

[duluoz]

As s general note, I don’t see how it’s helpful or necessary to keep comparing against Cadeau. Best to move on. If HD showed him the door (which is what it sounds like), then it was with good reason, and not decided on lightly or without ample substantiation. Even though I saw enough to applaud the move myself, I’m guessing he saw MUCH much more to justify it over the course of two seasons that we’ll never even learn about.

To keep dragging Cadeau into it at this point is essentially questioning HD’s perspective and understanding of his own team and program, relative to our own. It’s pretty clear to me it was not about stats, X’s and O’s, nor which PGs he was eyeing as replacement… it was about team culture and chemistry.

Comparing against Cadeau production now is as useful as comparing against Caleb production after he left — what for? Regardless of whether it was the player’s or HD’s decision in each case, in both cases it wasn’t about numbers, it was about a team needing its leaders to pull the sled in the same direction as everyone else. Otherwise they’re not leading at all — worse, they’re undermining direction. All the stats in the world don’t fix that.

 

[Heelsandeers]

Unless and until the portal situation finds some stability, every year is going to be a gamble for pretty much everybody. It's looking like Duke could be the exception. They have had the money and commitment for some years limited only by a certain need for secrecy no longer necessary. I expect Kentucky back there as well for similar reasons.

Wilson is an extremely raw freshman and Evans is tasked with taking on a completely different role and play style. Catchings is a player with a lot of talent who got benched and whose team ended up better. Combined with few returning players and well...

I hear you but there are varying degrees of gambling on the portal. The programs that are able to sustain some level of continuity will be more successful. That is the main positive of focusing on so many potential multi-year guys

 

[finesse]

In large part, I'm anticipating people wanting to make some precipitous decisions about the direction of the program under these unstable conditions. If we make those changes, I hope they will be because we really look at what we have and address the root causes. The easy and, realistically, most likely way will be to look at the coaching. I just hope we look at what the team did, what the staff did, what the GM did, how the team grew and how we recruited before we make whatever changes we make.

At least this team doesn't seem to have quite as murderous schedule although we know less about the opponents' rosters than ours. Now, that's a sign of the times.

 

[ZZLPHeels]

If you are going to reload every single year you need studs every single year. Filling out a new roster each year with 3 stars and D2 players will give you exactly the results that you expect. We’re not Middle Tennessee State. We’re Carolina. If this is what we can expect from Davis moving forward then I don’t see how he retains his job after next season.

 

[whatntarnation]

I like what I see from Evans, getting some Marcus Paige vibes from him.

 

[Bigs23]

If you are going to reload every single year you need studs every single year. Filling out a new roster each year with 3 stars and D2 players will give you exactly the results that you expect. We’re not Middle Tennessee State. We’re Carolina. If this is what we can expect from Davis moving forward then I don’t see how he retains his job after next season.

That’s not what UNC is doing.

 

[UNCatTech]

As s general note, I don’t see how it’s helpful or necessary to keep comparing against Cadeau. Best to move on. If HD showed him the door (which is what it sounds like), then it was with good reason, and not decided on lightly or without ample substantiation. Even though I saw enough to applaud the move myself, I’m guessing he saw MUCH much more to justify it over the course of two seasons that we’ll never even learn about.

To keep dragging Cadeau into it at this point is essentially questioning HD’s perspective and understanding of his own team and program, relative to our own. It’s pretty clear to me it was not about stats, X’s and O’s, nor which PGs he was eyeing as replacement… it was about team culture and chemistry.

Comparing against Cadeau production now is as useful as comparing against Caleb production after he left — what for? Regardless of whether it was the player’s or HD’s decision in each case, in both cases it wasn’t about numbers, it was about a team needing its leaders to pull the sled in the same direction as everyone else. Otherwise they’re not leading at all — worse, they’re undermining direction. All the stats in the world don’t fix that.

You are correct EC is gone.

But his departure leaves a lot of questions about this staff.

If he was "shown the door" without a PG already lined up, that is concerning.

It's concerning why he left, if it's money then how do we compete in the portal. If it were personality misalignment with the staff, so we see the same with future recruits?

If these players really feel they are not developing, how does that impact future recruits? If EC and IJ blow up next year how does that factor into this question?

 

[UNCatTech]

If you are going to reload every single year you need studs every single year. Filling out a new roster each year with 3 stars and D2 players will give you exactly the results that you expect. We’re not Middle Tennessee State. We’re Carolina. If this is what we can expect from Davis moving forward then I don’t see how he retains his job after next season.

Well this will be the challenge for all coaches now.

We see it can be done, Fla just won with a team that had no player in the top 100 out of school.

 

[stankeylegjones]

Evans is okay, but not really an upgrade over Cadeau. He's bigger so you would hope that helps on the defensive end. Him and Trimble as a starting backcourt (with two frosh as the backups) doesn't do it for me.

I do like what they've been doing in the front court. Think we will be solid there. Could have used Tyson's shooting but he never fit in quite right.

Cadeau is actually thicker and they're about the same height. Cadeau is more athletic, better off the dribble, better passer, better facilitator, just better all-around passing-first point guard. Evans is clearly the better shooter, by a long shot. But, most of his makes at 3 were from catch-and-shoot (13 of 70). Can he create off the dribble? He's going to have to, given HD's offense. Can he run the offense? Who knows. I still think the better option was to retain EC, over Evans at least.

 

[superrific]

But his departure leaves a lot of questions about this staff.

If he was "shown the door" without a PG already lined up, that is concerning.

I disagree. When exactly should HD have told Cadeau that they were planning to move on? Should he have strung Cadeau along, finding a guard and then tell him, "btw you're a backup next year"? What a dick move. HD told Cadeau they were looking for a PG in the portal, at the time that EC could himself enter the portal and find a good landing spot.

Plus, I don't know when the NIL offers are promised exactly, but my guess is that it's before the portal. And so if HD says to EC, "well, you made $500K last year but this year we can only afford $100K" what do you think EC is going to do?

 

[donbosco]

Wonder how Coach Smith would have handled the portal?

One thing is for sure...he would have done it with the most integrity and honesty possible.

 

[duluoz]

You are correct EC is gone.

But his departure leaves a lot of questions about this staff.

If he was "shown the door" without a PG already lined up, that is concerning.

It's concerning why he left, if it's money then how do we compete in the portal. If it were personality misalignment with the staff, so we see the same with future recruits?

If these players really feel they are not developing, how does that impact future recruits? If EC and IJ blow up next year how does that factor into this question?

There are plenty of philosophical and directional questions that are fair game and worthwhile. IMO these have been beaten to death already, but it’s no skin off my nose if you all want to keep beating them. Which clearly many of you want to dwell in that and wring your hands.

But, does your “that is concerning” mean you are privy to insight or perspective on Cadeau that HD isn’t? Or does it mean that you think you understand his program and team chemistry better than he does? Because if the answer to those questions is “no,” then it’s not all that concerning if you trust that HD would do what’s *right* for the program, regardless of win-loss. And if you don’t trust him, and trust yourself to know what’s right for the program instead, based on a wildly incomplete perspective… then you’re overestimating yourself. Or if you think win-loss should be the only driver in program decisions, then sure, be “concerned.”

Regardless, the point I’m making relates to comparing stats or X/O’s roster fit of new or potential players to Cadeau, which I see absolutely no use for. Just like there was no use for comparing anyone against Caleb. A) these weren’t stats-based decisions, and B) these players are the options on the table, and there may not be perfect fits available. But then, Cadeau was clearly not a perfect fit either.

Now if you want to compare character, attitude, chemistry, and leadership attributes — now we’re talking. Because if HD made that decision to usher him out, my money says that’s what he based the decision on. And that’s what HD is trying to upgrade — not assist-to-turnover ratio or some advanced stat.

So to me, no, it’s not concerning at all if HD had nobody lined up. But I value team culture and doing the right thing for the program over win-loss, all day every day. And I trust HD (and trusted Roy, Dean) to have a far better handle on that than I ever could.