CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — It didn't take long for Huntersville's Bernard Sullivan to make a big impression this morning at the NBA Players Association's top 100 camp.
A few minutes into his opening game at the camp, Sullivan swished a left-handed 3-pointer from a few feet left of the top of the key. Sullivan, who's 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds, added a nifty up-and-under move for a basket from the lane.
"Nice move," somebody shouted from the bench.
Sullivan joins North Carolinians Dezmine Wells, Tyler Lewis, Marquis Rankin, Anthony Gill, P.J. Hairston and Deuce Bello on the camp roster. Westchester Academy forward Quincy Miller is a late scratch because he is participating in a USA Basketball event, but Raleigh's Rodney Purvis and Bishop Daniels have been added to the camp to replace some of the players who can't make the camp because of that event.
N.C. State commitment Joseph Uchebo and Duke commitments Michael Gbinije and Tyler Adams also are competing. For more on the camp, stay tuned to this blog.
Comments
Hear Hear
Thu, 06/17/2010 - 16:47 — YAR8packCompletely agree. Though us Wolfpack fans have no reason to be stoked about the upcoming year. Until the Pack football team shows vast improvement on defense and special teams and really gets a running game going, everyone should pray for a 6 win season but expect 3-4 wins.
Yarpak I even have higher
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 23:31 — unc098Yarpak
I even have higher expectations then you do for NCSU football. Wilson is going to light it up and the defense can't help but be better.
Hopes
Sat, 06/19/2010 - 08:41 — YAR8packShhhh...I'm trying to keep my hopes tempered for 2010 since my rather lofty expectations for last year were met with turrrableness from the 2009 Pack football team.
I'm not really concerned about the offense. I think that unit will go back to putting up at least 20 points a game. Just got to get a running game developed. Of course, offensive play calling should also work to set up stronger offensive formations to run the ball, instead of the split formations and wide sets the Pack continuously ran last year. I really think the o-line will be a good surprise this year. TOB knows how to build a line. He should have the depth to do something with this year.
The defense is what scares the beejebus out of me. heels20 is right, the d-line and DB's are gonna be troublesome spots for the Pack D.
Punting and kick off coverage are gonna be worrisome.
TOB will have a little heat on him this year, but he's safe.
6 may not be too optimistic
Thu, 06/17/2010 - 17:40 — Heels20Can't ever count out Russell Wilson. Here's how I would break it down:
Quarterback: The bad news is that Wilson's absence in the spring could throw off some of the chemistry between QB and receiver. The good news is that Jarvis Williams, Owen Spencer and TJ Graham are all coming back. Wilson spent a lot of last season adjusting to the pocket some more, which led to more INTs. I don't think that will be as much of an issue this year. Improvement.
Runningback: No more Toney Baker and no more Jamelle Eugene. Curtis Underwood is projected to start and hasn't gotten a snap since 2008. James Washington has minimal experience and Barnes is still dealing with a foot injury. Uh oh. Downgrade.
Receiver/Tight End: As stated before, Williams, Spencer and Graham all return, as do Jay Smith and George Bryan. Spencer led the nation last year in yards per reception, and Williams' size makes him a constantly threatening target for Wilson. Improvement.
O-Line: It's usually an ugly situation when you have to make up for the loss of 4 O-linemen. It's a less ugly situation when none of those O-linemen were anything special. Robert Crisp is coming in and O'Brien has had a couple of his early recruits in the program for a couple years. This offensive line will either be the achilles heal of the offense as it has been since 2006, or it could be the most pleasantly surprising part of this football team. My guess? More of the same with gradual improvement as the season goes on.
Defensive Line: No more Willie Young. There is minimal experience, and Markus Kuhn may be the most positive thing you can say about this unit. Downgrade.
Linebackers: Nate Irving is back and Jon Tenuta has taken over. Sterling Lucas has a year under his belt. These guys had a rough year this past season, but I think guys like Dwayne Maddox and Terrell Manning (if healthy) can make a difference. Improvement.
Secondary: After watching how pitiful these guys were last season, you wouldn't think they could get any worse. Well, guess what? They could. Clem Johnson was a solid football player when healthy, and DeAndre Morgan could at least make a hit. Rashard Smith and Jarvis Byrd could be reason for optimism, but Byrd's injured knee and brilliant off-field decision making leads to some doubts. Not sure what Javon Walker's status is at this point, but his presence is much-needed. Expect to see more of the same from the DBs.
Special Teams: Good kicking, sorry punting. TJ Graham will be back as a returner, and will be effective if he runs with toughness. Upgrade.
Because of injuries, suspensions, weather and eligibility issues, it's never easy to predict these things. However, if I had to guess now, I predict the Pack will go 5-7 if Kyle Parker returns to football, and 6-6 if Parker goes pro in baseball.
o2
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 23:34 — unc098D-m good analysis.
Coaching Heat?
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 13:52 — SurferGood assessment, heels20. Do you think any heat is turned up on TOB if the pack fails to have a winning season and were to lose to UNC?
Absolutely
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 14:30 — Heels20Anything less than 6 wins, including a loss to UNC, will draw the most criticism TOB has seen since arriving to Raleigh. It'll be interesting to see the responses if the Pack falls short of .500, but beats the Heels for a fourth consecutive year. However, I think he'll receive a positive response for a 6-win regular season, especially if they can come away with a bowl victory to top it off.
Break or make season for
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 23:41 — unc098Break or make season for TOB. New AD and a restless Wolfpack club will put TOB on the hot seat this season. Of all the coaches in the league he is in the most jeopardy .I hope Wilson can pull him out of the fire ( except against UNC ) I actually don't think a 4th win over UNC and a mediocre season will cut it. He needs a 7 win season and a bowl victory to keep his job.
?
Thu, 06/17/2010 - 13:27 — Heels20Scraping the bottom of the barrel for a story, are we? Maybe it's time for preseason ACC football predictions so we can all rip each other's heads off.
love it 02 Bring it on and
Fri, 06/18/2010 - 23:30 — unc098love it 02
Bring it on and its almost July. Lets get it on and start salivating.