UNC ONLY BASKETBALL 2024-25 SEASON

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Centerpiece said:
So four guards and one forward.
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We don't really have a 'start-able' center (could we call James Brown one perhaps?). But Washington has good reach (he blocked 5 shots against Notre Dame) and has begun to shake off his weak early start (IMO). I hate to sit Powell but as I wrote, he could cause match-up problems as the first man off the bench for one of the four guards. Lubin would be first sub in for Washington. I'd like to see Claude given some opportunities...he's the toughest guy we have, goes after rebounds harder than anyone, and gets off the floor with quickness.
 
donbosco said:
We don't really have a 'start-able' center (could we call James Brown one perhaps?). But Washington has good reach (he blocked 5 shots against Notre Dame) and has begun to shake off his weak early start (IMO). I hate to sit Powell but as I wrote, he could cause match-up problems as the first man off the bench for one of the four guards. Lubin would be first sub in for Washington. I'd like to see Claude given some opportunities...he's the toughest guy we have, goes after rebounds harder than anyone, and gets off the floor with quickness.
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No ritmos for tonight? I didn’t see it
 
donbosco said:
I'd like to see Claude given some opportunities...he's the toughest guy we have, goes after rebounds harder than anyone, and gets off the floor with quickness.
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I like Claude’s mindset, he seems to have a toughness and grit that’s often lacking elsewhere.

But somebody needs to teach him to keep his hands to himself. Any time he sets a screen he pushes off and extends his arms as he rolls. And when he’s guarding he’s also too handsy on that side of the ball.
 
Centerpiece said:
I would agree - at least for tonight, and maybe the next game, until Seth is 100% back. What if he gets back to 100% and playing like he did at the beginning of the year - how do you not start him? If Ian continues to score 25 points a game, how do you not start him?
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Ian continues to start, no question about it imo. Unless you start the 4 guard lineup, I think you have to bring Seth off the bench. He was great in that role last season if you recall

Centerpiece said:
Scoring is not a problem. Defense is. Seth starts no matter what - if he is 100% healthy - just because of his defense.
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I don't think this is true. The offense goes through plenty of long stretches where they struggle

Slow starts were a major problem for most of the year with Seth in the starting lineup (not saying it was because of Seth necessarily). As of now the UNC offense rates 26th on Kenpom, which flat out isn't good enough given the limitations on the other end

Imo the biggest untapped potential still (other than RJ making shots) is Elliot getting into rhythm, taking care of the ball, and looking to be aggressive as a scorer. Likely not going to happen coming off the bench, something he hasn't done since early as a freshman

Of course the defense as a unit is considerably worse and Seth helps a lot there. But he alone won't solve this team's defensive issues, where as Elliot playing at a higher level could potentially "unlock" the offense
 
Heelsandeers said:
Ian continues to start, no question about it imo. Unless you start the 4 guard lineup, I think you have to bring Seth off the bench. He was great in that role last season if you recall



I don't think this is true. The offense goes through plenty of long stretches where they struggle

Slow starts were a major problem for most of the year with Seth in the starting lineup (not saying it was because of Seth necessarily). As of now the UNC offense rates 26th on Kenpom, which flat out isn't good enough given the limitations on the other end

Imo the biggest untapped potential still (other than RJ making shots) is Elliot getting into rhythm, taking care of the ball, and looking to be aggressive as a scorer. Likely not going to happen coming off the bench, something he hasn't done since early as a freshman

Of course the defense as a unit is considerably worse and Seth helps a lot there. But he alone won't solve this team's defensive issues, where as Elliot playing at a higher level could potentially "unlock" the offense
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Duly noted. And I hear you. But will disagree. The numbers indicate we can score. But we can't rebound or keep the other team from scoring. Honestly, we need Seth, and what he brings athletically on defense, rebounding and scoring. He's the closest we have to a complete player on O and D - when he is healthy. Elliot is THE MAN at running point - as long as he isn't turning the ball over. (Sorry, 40 TO's in the first 12 games ain't going away from his stats). Ian's 4 games in a row at 25 ppg ain't going away either. But RJ can give the team some point guard skills (he's done that before too), experience, scoring, better D on the other team's guards (see: experience), intangibles (coach on the floor/experience). Sorry. In crunch time, if we need a stop, rebounding and the possibility of scoring I'll take Seth, RJ and Ian. Plus whatever "bigs" (I use " " for a reason) we have who best fits the game at the time.
 
What happens when Seth is locking his man down but someone else’s man scores every time down the floor? Lol

I hear you also though, Seth can definitely help to set the tone defensively for the team. But I just don’t think he has the same impact that a defensive big would

Regardless, both have to play a lot and I think they can find some success with the 4 guard lineup
 
SnoopRob said:
Man, I hope RJ is ok.

Good game by the Heels.
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He looked a bit unsteady. Hope it wasn’t a concussion or broken nose…….as Bonner or Wes Durham said…..it was just two heads coming together because RJ reached in…..had NOTHING to do with Cross’s head ACCELERATING into RJ’s face.
 
SmilingJack said:
Could I be seeing a team rising from the ashes?!?
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What we are seeing is our most skilled players - RJ, Drake, Ian starting to gel. RJ woke up and played his kind of ball and I believe his playing point more gets him in the groove. Ian and Drake are doing what talented rookies do, they are getting acclimated to the step up in college BB and are moving past the big eyed era. Also I will give Washington some credit for putting forth some effort on defense. Home cooking went a long way last night. Last point - we have played many of the best teams in the country away from CH while breaking in our new horses. It is going to be interesting to see how this works out.
 
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