UNC ONLY BASKETBALL 2024-25 SEASON

[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?

 

[Calheel]

Who is projected higher, Jackson or Powell?

Powell, but depends somewhat on the service.

Fans have trouble understanding that NBA doesn't draft based on college production -- so even though Jackson is killing it this year, Powell still has certain physical tools that make him attractive to NBA teams.

There is more variance on Powell, and nothing is set in stone. But I'd be very surprised to see either of those guys in a UNC uniform next year.

 

[Enigma94]

It’s very likely both frosh are gone, just one of those many what if lineups that UNC specializes in.

 

[Carolina Fever]

Trimble might really transfer this time.

 

[UNCatTech]

Big if it pans out

We need this and keep the guards around another year.

And we need a rim protector.

 

[UNCatTech]

Powell, but depends somewhat on the service.

Fans have trouble understanding that NBA doesn't draft based on college production -- so even though Jackson is killing it this year, Powell still has certain physical tools that make him attractive to NBA teams.

There is more variance on Powell, and nothing is set in stone. But I'd be very surprised to see either of those guys in a UNC uniform next year.

It should help with recruiting if they both go high first round.

 

[Heelsandeers]

Got to the FT line, made FTs, bigs contributed, not many turnovers, still managed to score 71 points at home. The offense has been the more problematic side of the ball since the Louisville game

The back and forth passing near half court vs the zone.... dear god. There is no worse team at baseline OOB plays than UNC. Every single game a turnover and at best barely get the ball in. On the other side of it yesterday, giving up 2 points every time

Ian didn't shoot well obviously but more than that looked out of it on both sides. Lost on defense several times and didn't look much to attack or push offensively

I know he's still trying to get back 100% but not one of Seth's better games. Still reluctant in the half court to create or shoot and when paired with our bigs and/or Elliot it really does not work well

As for Elliot, I thought he sat for too long with 2 fouls and needed to play more. Team didn't look to push at all when he wasn't in. And 38 mins for RJ? Dude needs a break from time to time

Drake at 25 mins is coaching malpractice. Cade Tyson 3 mins for no reason whatsoever

 

[CRHeel94]

Powell, but depends somewhat on the service.

Fans have trouble understanding that NBA doesn't draft based on college production -- so even though Jackson is killing it this year, Powell still has certain physical tools that make him attractive to NBA teams.

There is more variance on Powell, and nothing is set in stone. But I'd be very surprised to see either of those guys in a UNC uniform next year.

In the last batch of mock drafts, Jackson seems to have moved ahead. A few mocks have Ian between late lottery and the late teens of the first round while Drake is in the mid 20s.

I've always assumed both guys would go...late first round is always so risky because slipping to the second round is such a dropoff.

 

[Heelsandeers]

In the last batch of mock drafts, Jackson seems to have moved ahead. A few mocks have Ian between late lottery and the late teens of the first round while Drake is in the mid 20s.

I've always assumed both guys would go...late first round is always so risky because slipping to the second round is such a dropoff.

Yeah, Ian has fairly comfortably moved ahead of Drake in draft projections. Seems unlikely Drake goes lottery unless he has a really strong late season

I still assume he will leave and gets taken in the teens-early 20s but it’s not 100% at this point

Strong draft class fwiw. I don’t think he’s underperformed or anything. The shooting has been maybe better than expected

 

[superrific]

Powell, but depends somewhat on the service.

Fans have trouble understanding that NBA doesn't draft based on college production -- so even though Jackson is killing it this year, Powell still has certain physical tools that make him attractive to NBA teams.

There is more variance on Powell, and nothing is set in stone. But I'd be very surprised to see either of those guys in a UNC uniform next year.

I have no idea if both will go, and I'm expecting that they will.

But that bit about the NBA not drafting on college production -- I'm not sure if that's accurate any more. It definitely was the case. But now the salary cap restrictions are getting tighter, so we're going to see more NFL and MLB style considerations: you've got a few years with a player before he becomes really expensive, so developmental prospects are a luxury that most teams will avoid. Look at Golden State and Kuminga. He's going to be an RFA. He will probably get at least $15M if not much more. He's not going to be a bargain any more, that's for sure. And what has GS gotten out of him? He's in his fourth year and he's a decent player, but he's not yet a finished product.

 

[Calheel]

I have no idea if both will go, and I'm expecting that they will.

But that bit about the NBA not drafting on college production -- I'm not sure if that's accurate any more. It definitely was the case. But now the salary cap restrictions are getting tighter, so we're going to see more NFL and MLB style considerations: you've got a few years with a player before he becomes really expensive, so developmental prospects are a luxury that most teams will avoid. Look at Golden State and Kuminga. He's going to be an RFA. He will probably get at least $15M if not much more. He's not going to be a bargain any more, that's for sure. And what has GS gotten out of him? He's in his fourth year and he's a decent player, but he's not yet a finished product.

Here's last year NBA draft:

2024 NBA Draft Results: Picks 1-58

Recap every pick and reported trade from the 1st and 2nd rounds of the 2024 NBA Draft.

www.nba.com

You can compare the college player's stats. Not much correlation to college production. There are some college stars (like Edey at 9) but most of the non-foreigners are middle of the road college production.

 

[superrific]

Here's last year NBA draft:

2024 NBA Draft Results: Picks 1-58

Recap every pick and reported trade from the 1st and 2nd rounds of the 2024 NBA Draft.

www.nba.com

You can compare the college player's stats. Not much correlation to college production. There are some college stars (like Edey at 9) but most of the non-foreigners are middle of the road college production.

Well, that was a weak draft. And the luxury tax provisions are only now taking full effect, I think.

I mean, maybe you're right but I have my doubts. I think teams are going to want guys who can play, not projects, in this luxury tax environment. It seems like everyone is busting their asses to get under the second apron. Why would you do all that and then pay a guy $4M a year to sit on the bench and develop?

I'm not saying that college production will be the only factor. And they aren't going to measure "can play" by college production alone. But I think present skill level will become more and more a part of the draft process. There are too many super-stars in the NBA who aren't toolsy but who are really fucking good. You can't appreciate Jokic or Doncic in an empty gym or in a scrimmage.

 

[UNCMSinLS]

Yeah, Ian has fairly comfortably moved ahead of Drake in draft projections. Seems unlikely Drake goes lottery unless he has a really strong late season

I still assume he will leave and gets taken in the teens-early 20s but it’s not 100% at this point

Strong draft class fwiw. I don’t think he’s underperformed or anything. The shooting has been maybe better than expected

Honestly, I think the upside potential for Powell may be higher than Jackson. I've been impressed with Drake's feel as a freshman for the game on both ends of the court. Plus, his vertical leaping ability must be in the top handful in the country. In the old days, if he stayed and mastered his shot & drive to the basket, he'd be a threat for All-American in a year or two. Jackson's offensive development is clearly higher than Powell's now; but, I'm not sure that will be the case in five years.