When I did Tyler Zeller's season in review, I stated that he must remain healthy for the Heels to be competitive. Apparently Jeff Goodman agrees because he writes a small piece on the health of Zeller for the upcoming season.
It is interesting to note that the Heels went 2-9 in Zeller's absence, which is very poor, but looking at some of the scores of those games, I only feel like the outcome would have changed in two games, had Zeller been able to play. This would cause UNC to be 4-7 over those 11 games, which probably stills puts them out of the NCAA tournament, but it is a dream.
Another interesting note is that Tyler Zeller was never really injured before his career at UNC, but that goes to show you the physicality of the next level and the demand on the body. Even with all the muscle Zeller gained, he still was hurt this past year. I do feel like he will come back strong though!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Season in Review: Will Graves
This past year, we finally saw some of that sharp shooter rumor that had followed Will Graves around since he arrived on campus. Graves started at the three spot all year except for a handful of games where he was injured. The issues that followed him last year and ended up getting him suspended, didn't rear their head and haunt him this year. Graves had some monster games for the Heels this year where he was launching threes and draining them. Graves was even a great team player by playing the four spot at times this year when the Heels were a little thin in the post or when they went small, therefore showing off his versatility. What I didn't like:
1. Inconsistency. As mentioned above, Graves did have some monster games this past year. In the NIT final against Dayton, Graves had 25 points, but he also had a three game stretch against BC, GA Tech, and NC State where he only totaled 16 points in those three games. If you look at the stats, this pattern happened quite often. Graves, as a senior needs to step up and be more consistent for the baby Heels.
2. Defense. Graves hasn't. been exceptional on the defensive end. He just needs to buckle down and start defending, especially since he will be needed to play some in the four spot again this year.
What I liked:
1. Shooting. Graves was one of the few Tar Heels who could stretch the opposing defense with the three point shot. Although I would like his consistency to improve, he did shoot at a 37% clip, but it seemed when he had his good nights, he was unstoppable and then when he had his bad nights, he wasn't a threat at all, which would explain the inconsistency.
2. Rebounding. Despite his size, Graves isn't a bad rebounder. He gets 5 a game and that was only in 25 minutes. He only had 1 double-double, but had quite a few 8 and 9 rebound games. Granted, he had to rebound because the Heels got thin in the post as the season progressed, but he did a commendable job and proved that he's just not a shooter.
'Will Graves is going to be the leader of this team, which is scary, but I hope he can pull through for this year's team. Although he doesn't need to be the leading scorer (I think Harrison Barnes will inherit that), he does need to be consistent for the Heels. I'm not sure if Graves will even start next year, but he needs to accept his role and perform that role to the best of his abilities.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Season in Review: Tyler Zeller
The Big Z got hurt again. I'm not sure if this is a sign of things to come, but hopefully not. He played well before he got hurt and returned to action quickly and was still able to contribute through the Heels' late NIT run. I like the stats from Zeller in just limited minutes of 9 points and 5 rebounds and am hopeful he is ready to be the main man for the Heels this upcoming season.
What I didn't like:
1. Playing time. As the only true center on the Tar Heels roster, I am a little surprised he only played 17 minutes per game. I am not one to openly question Roy Williams' decisions, I do wonder why Zeller didn't play more like 25 minutes per game. He seemed to do everything that Williams required, although his defense isn't what I would classify as amazing, but not terrible.
2. Injury. Big Z was making progress and was hurt again, but thankfully, unlike last season where he seemed sluggish when he returned, this go-around he bounced back quickly and still did well and didn't seem lost while he was out there. Oh the difference a year makes.
What I liked:
1. Skills. Tyler Zeller is a skilled big man and runs the floor well. He needs to keep improving because I am expecting him to play either the main man or second fiddle to Harrison Barnes. Remember in Zeller's first game as a Tar Heel, he lead the team in scoring with 18 points. We've seen flashes, similar to flashes we saw throughout Deon Thompson's career, but hopefully, Zeller can deliver!
2. Accepting his role. Even though I felt Zeller deserved more minutes, no indication was made that he was unhappy with his role on the team. He did what was expected of him and should look to build on that success.
I can't stress enough how important Tyler Zeller will be next year, but even if he is not a great score, just his presence alone will be important. I say that because of the lack of post man the Heels will have available. He needs to stay injury free and I think the rest will take care of itself for Tyler Zeller.
What I didn't like:
1. Playing time. As the only true center on the Tar Heels roster, I am a little surprised he only played 17 minutes per game. I am not one to openly question Roy Williams' decisions, I do wonder why Zeller didn't play more like 25 minutes per game. He seemed to do everything that Williams required, although his defense isn't what I would classify as amazing, but not terrible.
2. Injury. Big Z was making progress and was hurt again, but thankfully, unlike last season where he seemed sluggish when he returned, this go-around he bounced back quickly and still did well and didn't seem lost while he was out there. Oh the difference a year makes.
What I liked:
1. Skills. Tyler Zeller is a skilled big man and runs the floor well. He needs to keep improving because I am expecting him to play either the main man or second fiddle to Harrison Barnes. Remember in Zeller's first game as a Tar Heel, he lead the team in scoring with 18 points. We've seen flashes, similar to flashes we saw throughout Deon Thompson's career, but hopefully, Zeller can deliver!
2. Accepting his role. Even though I felt Zeller deserved more minutes, no indication was made that he was unhappy with his role on the team. He did what was expected of him and should look to build on that success.
I can't stress enough how important Tyler Zeller will be next year, but even if he is not a great score, just his presence alone will be important. I say that because of the lack of post man the Heels will have available. He needs to stay injury free and I think the rest will take care of itself for Tyler Zeller.
Season in Review: Ed Davis
Oh Steady Eddie wasn't very steady for the Heels this past year. He was more like "I don't really care about being Steady Eddie." If you look at his stats of 13 points and nearly 10 boards a game, you may think that was pretty good, but the sky was the limit for this kid and he seemed to have gotten stuck in the terminal at the airport. His blocks peer game were good and his FG% was awesome, but he could have been so amazing, but he is now been drafted by the Toronto Raptors. Good luck in Canada, eh?I'm not going to elaborate on things I liked and didn't like because it has been awhile and Davis can no longer improve on things at UNC because of that whole Canadian thing now.
Back!
I apologize for my lack of blogging about North Carolina for the most 2 months. I think that because UNC did not do so hot this past year, I lost a desire, but with the hype of this upcoming season, I have decided to put in some more effort on the UNC news and insight. Here we go - again!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Season in Review: Justin Watts
I didn’t expect Watts to do much of anything this year and for some of the season, he didn’t, but at times, especially early on in the season. He didn’t blow you away with his numbers, but he was able to step in when some of the guards were injured and play to the best of his abilities and that’s all we can ask. There have been some transfer rumors around Watts at times, and I like him enough to keep him on the bench as an option.
What I didn’t like:
1. Skill. Although I like Watts, I wish he could be better than what he is. But in his defense, he did well in his limited minutes. Shooting percentages are pretty good, but also a little skewed because he almost always played in garbage time.
What I liked:
1. Effort. He tries hard and that’s all we can ask. I don’t expect him to go out and score 12 points per game. He does his best to do what the team needs - an excellent example of a team player.
Watts, again is a good option to have. I think he could get better, but he does what he does and that’s what we ask him to do.
What I didn’t like:
1. Skill. Although I like Watts, I wish he could be better than what he is. But in his defense, he did well in his limited minutes. Shooting percentages are pretty good, but also a little skewed because he almost always played in garbage time.
What I liked:
1. Effort. He tries hard and that’s all we can ask. I don’t expect him to go out and score 12 points per game. He does his best to do what the team needs - an excellent example of a team player.
Watts, again is a good option to have. I think he could get better, but he does what he does and that’s what we ask him to do.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Season in Review: Larry Drew II
Oh Drew 2. Larry Drew did ok by me this year. He did what he had to do and he did it in the face of adversity quite a few times. As the most scrutinized position in basketball and at UNC, Drew held his own against the naysayers time and time again. It looked like it took him most of the season, but towards the end of the year, he asserted himself as a strong point guard. No, he is not Ty Lawson, but he was needed to run the team and he did a decent job of it. Sure, he needs to improve, but he was the quarterback of a young, weak offensive team. Next year, surrounding him with more talent will only improve his ability.
What I didn’t like:
1. Assertiveness. He didn’t always have the urgency, the mojo, the swagger. He seemed a little to laid back to run the point. He did get better, but teams can often read the point guards language and if the point guard isn’t able to focus or get his team focused, you end up with a record like UNC had this year.
2. Shot selection. Sometimes, he just tried to pull one out or win it all in one shot. He didn’t shoot a lot, but sometimes, he was way off the mark.
What I liked:
1. Holding his head up. Who didn’t crucify Drew at some point this year? I know I did by saying that Kendall Marshall would probably be starting next year. Drew was dissected at the point guard spot and though he knew people didn’t think he was doing a good job, he listened to his coach and kept playing and towards the end of the season, people seemed to change their mind a bit.
2. Improvement. What I wanted Drew to improve on last year – his shooting percentage and his assist to turnover ratio – both improved, especially the shooting percentage. His regular field goals need to improve still as he only shot 40%, but his 3 point percentage was respectable, which it needed to be in order for defenses to not load the paint with defenders. Although his assist-to-turnover ratio wasn’t awesome, it did improve throughout the year.
Drew II has committed to North Carolina, amidst transfer rumors and fans being upset at him. I am also committed to Larry Drew. He isn’t the worst PG in UNC history (insert Adam Boone), but he is who he is – a pass first, verily dependable option.
What I didn’t like:
1. Assertiveness. He didn’t always have the urgency, the mojo, the swagger. He seemed a little to laid back to run the point. He did get better, but teams can often read the point guards language and if the point guard isn’t able to focus or get his team focused, you end up with a record like UNC had this year.
2. Shot selection. Sometimes, he just tried to pull one out or win it all in one shot. He didn’t shoot a lot, but sometimes, he was way off the mark.
What I liked:
1. Holding his head up. Who didn’t crucify Drew at some point this year? I know I did by saying that Kendall Marshall would probably be starting next year. Drew was dissected at the point guard spot and though he knew people didn’t think he was doing a good job, he listened to his coach and kept playing and towards the end of the season, people seemed to change their mind a bit.
2. Improvement. What I wanted Drew to improve on last year – his shooting percentage and his assist to turnover ratio – both improved, especially the shooting percentage. His regular field goals need to improve still as he only shot 40%, but his 3 point percentage was respectable, which it needed to be in order for defenses to not load the paint with defenders. Although his assist-to-turnover ratio wasn’t awesome, it did improve throughout the year.
Drew II has committed to North Carolina, amidst transfer rumors and fans being upset at him. I am also committed to Larry Drew. He isn’t the worst PG in UNC history (insert Adam Boone), but he is who he is – a pass first, verily dependable option.
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