UNC ONLY BASKETBALL 2024-25 SEASON

[Heelsandeers]

I do wish we'd have gotten Andrej Stojaković out of the portal, although I don't think he intended to leave California.

Stanford to Cal was an interesting choice

I liked him but so many guards on the roster

 

[Heelsandeers]

I find it annoying that Withers isn’t better than he is. Kid has tools and there’s a glaring need for an analogous skill set. And my perception at least is that being a knucklehead is something that can be fixed.

I knew 3 things about Withers when Hubert signed him

1. 42% 3P shooter his jr yr on avg volume
2. decent defender with + size/athleticism
3. Louisville fans hated any time he put the ball on the floor

I thought the shooting would materialize and in a bench role liked the addition

Still think the lack of coaching his first 3 seasons really hurt his progress

 

[Heelsandeers]

Defense has surpassed offense in efficiency

Defensive turnaround similar to last season. Teams missing a ton of shots yes but positioning, getting through screens, and communication are night and day compared to earlier in the season

Have to wonder where this team would be without Ian playing at this level. I expected a lot but not this much in terms of efficiency and decision making

 

[circlesky88]

Turnaround due to playing garbage ACC teams

 

[Ramrouser]

Boeheim repeatedly stated last evening how well UNC was defending. I thought so as well but their offensive rebounding/2nd chance points allowed them to stay in the game for most of the 1st half.

On the other hand, Cal's not any good.

 

[Heelsandeers]

Turnaround due to playing garbage ACC teams

Efficiency numbers are adjusted for opponent

Holding bad teams at or below their average is still good defense. There was no guarantee of that with how the season started

But yeah, almost like things are evening out some after playing the #1 OOC SOS

 

[CRHeel94]

Defense has really improved. Much better communication. One thing I don't love is that we are quick switching on the perimeter (assume that's by design). Could see teams putting wrinkles to counter that later in the season.

 

[Icky Mettle]

Ian Jackson is so fucking overrated.

I’m not putting this here as a call out, but as something to look back on and laugh about. This was from November 4.

 

[sringwal]

Defense has surpassed offense in efficiency

Defensive turnaround similar to last season. Teams missing a ton of shots yes but positioning, getting through screens, and communication are night and day compared to earlier in the season

Have to wonder where this team would be without Ian playing at this level. I expected a lot but not this much in terms of efficiency and decision making

Also have to wonder where this team would be if Davis were playing on the level that he was last year. What ifs are a two way street.

 

[Heelsandeers]

Also have to wonder where this team would be if Davis were playing on the level that he was last year. What ifs are a two way street.

Probably 2 maybe 3 more wins and comfortably sitting in the top 15

That's the thing about this season compared to 2022-23. Several key players you expect to continue to improve and someone like RJ playing well below his standard

 

[Heelsandeers]

I’m not putting this here as a call out, but as something to look back on and laugh about. This was from November 4.

Yikes. Couldn't even wait until he played a couple of games to get that one off

 

[Enigma94]

If JWash and Lubin can continue to contribute against better competition and RJ finds something reasonably close to his previous form, then that dog will hunt. It's not like we looked completely lost against the early tough schedule, so there is still hope this team can find its way.

 

[GoHeelsweeeehoooo]

Nice win last night especially since RJ didn't give us much scoring wise - outside that he played a nice game

 

[Geisterfahrer]

Nice win last night especially since RJ didn't give us much scoring wise - outside that he played a nice game

He’s really in his own head. We ran that curl 2-3 times last night for wide open mid-range shots and he clanks them.

 

[farce©]

I was watching with no sound for a good stretch last night. I was struck by how active Ian Jackson is without the ball in his hands on the offensive end of the floor contrasted with RJ just sort of hanging out around the 3 point line.

 

[Heelsandeers]

I was watching with no sound for a good stretch last night. I was struck by how active Ian Jackson is without the ball in his hands on the offensive end of the floor contrasted with RJ just sort of hanging out around the 3 point line.

And this is IJ's first time playing a primarily off ball role in his basketball career. Truly impressive stuff

 

[nycfan]

Big if it pans out

 

[Enigma94]

A Cadeau, Trimble, Powell, Wilson, Washington lineup would be nice.

 

[Calheel]

A Cadeau, Trimble, Powell, Wilson, Washington lineup would be nice.

It would be, but there is basically 0% chance Powell would come back. He is projected lottery.

 

[superrific]

It would be, but there is basically 0% chance Powell would come back. He is projected lottery.

Who is projected higher, Jackson or Powell?