• Part I: UNC, BC, FSU
• Part II: Duke, Georgia Tech, Clemson
• Part III: Wake Forest, Maryland, Virginia
• Part IV: N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Miami
The 2009-10 ACC basketball season promises to be different.
For the first time in the expansion era, there is not one, overwhelming favorite to win and/or run away with the league.
Yes, UNC will go off as the favorite but these Tar Heels, minus four starters from their national title team, are not like the last three heavily-favored versions or the one from 2005. (Duke, in '06, was the other lock-solid favorite.)
With the aid of some slight underachieving — and the unbalanced schedule — UNC technically shared the '07 regular-season title with Virginia. Still, the record will note all of the favorites held serve.
The '10 season will be more of a combination of the 1984-85 and 1994-95 seasons, than like any thing the ACC has seen since Miami and Virginia Tech joined the league before the 2004-05 season, and Boston College a season later.
In '85, an incredible five teams, in what was then an eight-team league, were separated by one game. Georgia Tech, UNC (coping with the loss of some random future megastar) and N.C. State each went 9-5. Duke and Maryland were a whisper behind at 8-6.
The good teams were good (three of those teams made the Final Eight), but not great (none of them made the Final Four), and the bad teams were just blah.
In '95, Wake Forest, UNC, Maryland and Virginia all tied for first — the only time in league history the regular-season ended in a four-way tie.
The league was top heavy, though, with the top four at 12-4 and none of the other five teams finished above .500.
That season was also notable for the vast individual talent spread throughout the conference. A record eight first-round picks, not including some random sophomore at Wake Forest named Tim Duncan, matriculated through the ACC that season.
The '10 season should be both clustered at the top and filled with future NBA talent (a conservative count would be 10 first-rounders coming through the ACC this season.)
Since expansion, it has either been UNC and Everybody Else, or Duke and Everybody Else. The provincial view says it will be UNC, Duke, and Everybody Else in '10 but as many as six teams enter the season with a legitimate shot at winning the regular-season.
There are another three teams that harbor hopes of an NCAA Tournament spot. On paper, only three teams (N.C. State, Virginia and Miami) appear dead-on-arrival.
The '85 comparison is notable because at 9-5, Georgia Tech had the lowest winning percentage (.643) of any No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament since the league was formed. (UNC's 11-5 as the low-water mark for a No. 1 seed since the ACC expanded to a 16-game schedule in 1992.)
Even if it's UNC, Duke and Everybody Else, neither Triangle power is going to run away from the conference. I'd bet the first to 11 wins. When UNC won the regular-season with 11 wins in '07, five teams were separated by one game.
Point is this race will be closer than close. So what separates 11-5 from 9-7? Coaching. Experience. Outside shooting. Motivation. The schedule. Talent.
The Heels have the coaching and talent in spades and the schedule can't be that bad because UNC can't play UNC.
Experience? Only forward Deon Thompson and wing Marcus Ginyard have more than two college starts.
Outside shooting? Point guard Larry Drew II, shooting guard Dexter Strickland and Ginyard are not Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green. That's not a knock, it's just fact. The current group has a different skill set.
And while Roy Williams' fast-break offense is not predicated on the 3-pointer, Lawson (51), Green (77) and Ellington (85) combined to make 213 3s last season. No other ACC team had three players make 50 or more 3s.
Motivation? This is a biggie. How many times did Williams mention that Sports Illustrated (or the AP) didn't rank UNC in the preseason top 25? Or that UNC was picked sixth in the conference? Ol' Roy burned that respect card into the ground, then lit the ashes on fire to stoke that post-title team to the tilt.
This post-title team will go off in the top-5 nationally and as the preseason favorite. That's the main difference between this team and that overachieving '06 team. And that, my friends, is the difference between going 12-4, and striving to prove the world wrong, and settling in comfortably at 10-6.
A darkhorse from Boston College, Maryland, Florida State or Georgia Tech could emerge to win the regular-season. Each team has its strengths — experience (BC), 3-point shooting (Maryland), talent (FSU and GT) and motivation (GT) — but each has its flaws.
How will BC adjust without Tyrese Rice? Has Maryland really upgraded its bigs? Will Florida State show life after Toney Douglas? Will Georgia Tech successfully navigate the toughest schedule in the league?
That only leaves one team, yep, Duke.
Coaching? Check. Experience? Check. Outside shooting? Check. Motivation? Check. Schedule? They should go 6-0 in their home-only and away-only games. Talent? Not as much as there could be, but enough.
No question fatigue will be a challenge, especially for Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer, but it's not like Mike Krzyzewski specializes in the 12-man rotation. In Singler, Scheyer, Nolan Smith, Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek, Duke has five ACC-tested veterans, who offset the potential talent gap with the experience of playing together.
UNC has more talent (although six guys play the same position) but aside from summer pickup, no experience in being on the floor together. And the aforementioned backcourt problems.
Yes, Duke is thin on the perimeter but the Devils don't have to run the '09 ACC gauntlet of great guards. Lawson, Ellington, Rice, Douglas, Jeff Teague, Jack McClinton — they're all gone.
There's basically Malcolm Delaney at Virginia Tech and Greivis Vasquez at Maryland and then a mixture of mediocrity and inexperience among the other nine backcourts.
Duke's bigs aren't overwhelming but they are functional.
That means the season hinges on the ability of Singler, Scheyer, Smith and freshman Ryan Kelly to hit outside shots. I'll take that bet, and my guess is so will Krzyzewski.
If Duke can squeeze guard Andre Dawkins into school a year early, then Coach K could use Dawkins, Kelly and the Brothers Plumlee off the bench. That's a nine-man rotation, which is roughly two-and-a-half more spots than K used in winning the national title in 2001.
And let's go back to motivation. Duke will be in full UNC-'06-mode, overlooked because of the exits of Gerald Henderson (NBA) and Elliot Williams (transfer) and intent on proving it can keep up with UNC.
I don't know what will happen, heck, there could be another four-way tie like '95.
I do know this — it will be different.
| GIGLIO'S PICKS |
PICKERAL'S PICKS |
| 1. Duke | UNC |
| 2. UNC | Duke |
| 3. BC | BC |
| 4. Maryland | Georgia Tech |
| 5. FSU | FSU |
| 6. Georgia Tech | Maryland |
| 7. Clemson | Wake Forest |
| 8. Virginia | Clemson |
| 9. Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech |
| 10. Wake Forest | N.C. State |
| 11. N.C. State | Virginia |
| 12. Miami | Miami |
Comments
hii
Thu, 11/12/2009 - 08:25 — cemmThank you, you answered the question I have been searching for which was whether or not to place keywords when blog commenting. mirc . chat . http://www.hayda.net/
iI KNOW EVERYONE LIKES TO
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 21:01 — foreverdukeiI KNOW EVERYONE LIKES TO DEFEND THEIR TEAM SO DO I. NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHO WILL BE FIRST OR LAST UNTILL THE SEASON ENDS. I JUST WISH ALL YOU DUKE HATERS COULD AT LEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO SPELL IT RIGHT. SHOW SOME RESPECT. I HAVEN'T BEEN FOND OF SOME OF THE PLAYERS OR COACHES ON OTHER TEAMS BUT I'M NOT IN TO THE NAME CALLING OR DISRESPECT THAT I READ ON THESE COMMENTS THAT ARE MADE. I HOPE DUKE WILL BE NO 1 WHEN ITS ALL SAID AND DONE. I DO THINK THEY HAVE AS GOOD A TEAM AS ANYONE. PULL FOR YOUR TEAM , I WILL AND I WILL PULL AGAINS'T CERTAIN OTHER TEAMS BUT I WON'T DISRESPECT THEM. GO DUKE!
Wolfpack Re-focused
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 21:11 — bilge53Don't count coach Lowe out. It is hard to build a solid and consistent team on egos; combined skill and desire will be in the line up this year. They may not be #1 but I believe it will be obvious that they are headed the right way.
Not just yet
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 16:12 — bradleyb123I don't EXPECT a lot from this team of mostly freshmen. Especially without Lorenzo Brown to contribute. But I think it's probably safe to have some HOPE that we'll see improvement this year. And in 2010, we might just be ACC contenders.
But I do think we'll finish higher than 10th or 11th, where these guys have picked us to finish.
State's biggest hope
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 18:12 — Heels20is that their players will be too young to have egos. The past 2 years, it looked like 5 guys who hated each other standing around. Costner showed lack of toughness, while Fells and Hickson (2 years ago) illustrated a complete lack of effort. At least Sidney's first team was fun to watch. The past 2 years, it looks as though no player has improved at all, and it's almost as if they team has gotten progressively dumber.
I think Johnny Thomas has the potential to be a great player, and CJ Williams could have a break-out year if someone can get him the ball. Tracy Smith plays bigger than he is, but maybe Howell or Painter can step in and give him a chance to really open up his game. That being said, for all the former PG's on the coaching staff (Lowe, Towe, Gainey), this team is worse off at the point guard position than any NC State team I have ever seen. Because of that, the Pack won't finish any higher than 10th.
Point guards
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 18:45 — JPDOhioChalk this up to pure, unadulterated, unfounded hope.
Both Julius Mays and Javi Gonzalez had flashes of excellent play last year. So I believe both players have it in them. The question is whether either or both can perform at a high level on a consistent basis. If they can, then the Pack will finish higher than 10th. If not, then Heels20's prediction is correct. (BTW, the "no comment" on Degand is on purpose. He is useless.)
My other hope is that all of the selfish, me-first attitudes are gone and none of the remaining guys were tainted by the departed. State can only be successful with unselfish, team-oriented play. I got my fingers crossed.
Re: Point guards
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 20:28 — Heels20I think you can count on it that this team won't be as selfish. I expect them to at least be more fun to watch. When you get a starting line-up as inexperienced as State will be this year, the guys play with a lot of heart to make up for the lack of experience. I remember Sidney Lowe's first year was more exciting than any one of the 10 Herb Sendek years despite the 5-11 record. Guys were running up and down the floor, diving for loose balls and making explosive plays to the basket. I expect this year to be a lot like that.
As far as point guards go, I remember Javi looked good against us as a scorer, but he had a 3:5 assist-to-turnover ratio. I think Mays is definitely the way to go at starter. No one expected much of him last year as a true freshman, but he at least showed up some of the time (game-winning shot against Miami). I don't see Gonzalez as much of a threat, but Mays could develop into a solid point guard. Right now, any improvement would be nice. The past couple years, these guys have made Cliff Crawford and Tony Bethel look like superstars.
Not to nitpick...
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 22:10 — JPDOhiobut they have at least a chance to be better than the last couple of years.
OK, I am nitpicking. Once JP weighs in with his analysis, I am sure the discussion will continue.
I can tell you what he'll say
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 23:40 — Heels20Motivation will be the most important factor, and it's very possible that they will finish in the top half of the ACC behind the great leadership of Jordan Vanderburg. Haha just kidding, JPG.
acc schedule
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 14:13 — leernealjpg, without revealing any highly classified acc stuff, is the men's schedule coming out anytime soon? thanks.
Don't sleep on the Jackets
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 12:15 — rockstar15Georgia Tech will be the darkhorse of the ACC...young, athletic, and talented. The only question mark is will Paul Hewitt actually coach these guys to play to their potential?
Short answer to....
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 12:48 — JPDOhiowill Paul Hewitt actually coach these guys to play to their potential? No.
Hewitt can recruit with the best of them. However, if Ga Tech wins, it will be in spite of his coaching, not because of it. So the real question is, " Does Ga Tech have enough talent to win without any sideline help?"
Hedge
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:38 — heelsno1JPG-
The body of your article twice refers to UNC as the league favorite, yet your list of predicted finishers has Duke on top with Carolina finishing second. In sports journalism and in life, you cannot have it both ways! Besides, earlier this summer, you posted an article that seemed more confident with Duke as your No. 1 pick. Now, you are clearly hedging.
Lastly, I think that Wake Forest will finish higher than your list. If they discover some outside shooting to complement their biggies with Ish Smith, then they will be in the top half of the "expanded-era" ACC.
to much crap!!
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:27 — bluecatt1tar-hole 20 , can u learn to be more brief with your comments, u are just too full of it, did u pick that up while doing your wal-mart tour of duty in crap-pel hill? go duke!!!!!!!!!!!
not really
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 12:32 — jpg (author)I'm not hedging. The exit of Elliot Williams changed the dynamic at Duke. My guess, and based on my knowledge of the people who cover this league, is that UNC will be picked to win the league.
I think before Williams left, Duke would have won the preseason vote.
As for the definition of expansion, the league added three teams this decade. If you want to go back to '92 or '81, knock yourself out.
And UNC will be an exceptional defensive team, I made that point. What they won't have is a guard who can save their offense when it matters most.
— JPG
Let me get this straight...
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:39 — Heels20UNC's back-court is okay and Dook's front-court is okay. UNC's front-court is one of the best in the nation, Dook's frount-court is okay. And Dook is the top team in the conference? That doesn't seem to add up right.
Why is Wake Forest ranked so low? Ish Smith is the most proven PG in the state, and Aminu has already shown how great of a player he is. The losses of Johnson and Teague hurt, but they still have a deep front-court. I'm not saying they should be a top 3 team, but give them more credit than 10th.
Finally, UVA over VT? Sylvan Landesberg is the only bright spot for UVA, and Tony Bennett's slow-paced offense doesn't even fit his style. VT returns Delaney and Allen. The loss of Vassallo hurts, but Seth Greenberg has proven he is a good coach. I think VT is much more dangerous than 9th place.
missing parts of the equation
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:47 — jpg (author)As for the top of the league, you're missing the motivation part. That's going to be key. Trust me, Ol' Roy has already started with the "Ol' Roy ain't that good" rhetoric.
Plus, think about that '06 team. They were sunk when they couldn't get the ball to Hbro. That's going to happen again this season. You have to have guards that can rescue a halfcourt set. When it comes to brass tacks — and that will only happen, what five or six times? — I think UNC will struggle.
As for the bottom of the conference, I'll get to the individual teams on the corresponding days. Patience.
— JPG
jpg, u are correct
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:30 — bluecatt1right on jpg, what a wizzard!!!!!!!!!! go duke!!!!!!!!!!
Motivation matters...
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:17 — Heels20but I don't see how pre-season rankings determine how motivated we are. We were projected to win a national title last year, and we did. The previous season, we were projected to win it all, and we fell just 2 games short, and only had 3 losses on the year. It seems to me that our team isn't focused on where everyone else projects us to finish. I don't think that people picking us to finish at the top is enough reason to believe we won't finish there (in the ACC, not the country).
Hansbrough was the heart and soul of that '06 team. Obviously, Noel and Terry were key contributors, but Hansbrough was easily the difference. At the same time, we had just lost our top 7 scorers. You can't replace a guy like Ty Lawson, but I feel that we have less to recover from this year.
You do bring up a good point about guard-play. Ginyard provides the perimeter defense that we lacked most of last year, but let's face it, he hasn't shown the offensive versatility necessary to bail a team out when things aren't working down low. Drew II has shown promise as someone who can get the ball to the scorers (his chemistry with Ed Davis was great last year), and he has demonstrated the ability to get to the basket, although not always the ability to finish. Strickland and McDonald are hyped up to be pretty great players, but I never want to rely on freshmen.
However, I do think that our guard-play will improve by ACC time, as MSU and Kentucky will be good tests and great preparation for conference play. I still don't think that motivation will be enough of a factor to push Dook over us at the top spot.
get a job
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:34 — bluecatt1too much b.s., u guys will not stand a chance against msu and ky., go duke!!!!!!!!!!!
there's a difference
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:22 — jpg (author)Between being picked first and sixth.
When you're picked sixth, like UNC was in '06, you want to prove people wrong. You feel slighted. We're UNC and we're not in the top 25? I honestly can't count how many times Williams has brought that little fact up.
When you have Lawson, Ellington, Hansbrough, etc., it doens't matter where you're picked in the ACC because you have supreme talent (at all the right positions).
But don't kid yourself, the motivation from losing to Kansas was a huge part of last season's title.
— JPG
Correction
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 11:52 — heelsno1Certainly, Coach Williams and his staff should be given their full due of respect, but I think that the primary motivation was supplied by the 2008 National P.O.Y. (Hansbrough) who rejected almost certain NBA lottery status to return for his senior year. Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington soon followed Hansbrough's lead. Without those players, there is no NCAA crown.
Coach Williams and the rest of UNC's coaching staff finally convinced this special offensive team of veteran stars to play some team defense, which paid rich dividends down the stretch. For that accomplishment, Roy and his crew are rightly proud.
tar-hole 1
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:39 — bluecatt1who is going to replace bb biggest flopper ever, HANSDOWNER???????????go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who will replace the biggest flopper ever?
Wed, 07/22/2009 - 18:55 — tjfooseWell, we all already know that. K replaced Paulus with Scheyer and Nolan Smith.
Hansbrough
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 13:02 — jpg (author)was a lot of things but he wasn't a leader.
The only trouble UNC faced in the tournament was against LSU and when Williams challenged the team in the second half it wasn't Hbro that stood up and grabbed the game by the throat but Ellington and then Lawson finished it off.
That team was collectively motivated by the Kansas loss. That's everyone from the coach to Hbro to Lawson and Ellington, who both played poorly against KU.
— JPG
No Doubt
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 14:59 — heelsno1...that the KU debacle in 2008 was a humiliating loss for UNC and that painful KU defeat served as one powerful source of motivation in 2009. But, it is an oversimplification to point to that one event as the primary driving force that willed the Heels to the 2009 crown.
In 2007, the Heels' absolute meltdown against Georgetown was in some ways more humilating than the KU loss because that game was seemingly well in hand, and Roy's Heels did not close the deal. By contrast, the KU game was not competitive from the outset. Applying your logic, the humiliation of the Georgetown loss should have been sufficient motivation for UNC to win it all in 2008.
From my perspective, you are incorrect to say that Hansbrough is not a leader. Sacrificing a certain and substantial personal financial gain, he came back his senior year to complete a mission...that is unselfish, heroic leadership. Roy Williams has said repeatedly that Hansbrough works harder in practice, in conditioning his body and in games than any player he has ever coached...that is called leadership by example.
Down the stretch of 2009, Ty Lawson clearly stepped up and became the obvious floor leader. Hansbrough remained the same incredible force toward winning outcomes... another strong indicator of leadership.
I agree with you on most things...
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 14:51 — Heels20but not when you say Hansbrough wasn't a leader. He was the one who stepped up in the ACC tournament against VT when Lawson was down. I don't know if you remember the game at FSU, but many people forget Hansbrough overcoming a mis-match when he had to defend Toney Douglass at the end of hte game. Going all the way back to his freshman year, he carried the team on his shoulders that entire year. Also, he played injured at the beginning of the year, helping us to a championship in Maui.
This isn't to take anything away from guys like Lawson or Ellington. Lawson showed a tremendous amount of heart in tough situations, specifically the Dook game at Cameron and the NCAA tournament. That being said, Hansbrough was an excellent leader. His work ethic and toughness became contagious throughout his 4 years at UNC.
tar-hole 1and 2
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:42 — bluecatt1too much b.s. u guys have to much time on your hands, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heroic?
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 15:24 — jpg (author)Hmm. OK.
Let's all agree Tyler Hansbrough set a standard in work ethic at UNC but he was not a "rah, rah, let's go leader" and he was not a "get me the damn ball and get out of the way" leader, either.
He was a consistent scorer, rebounder and competitor. Those are all admirable traits but he was not David Noel, Shane Battier, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, Rick Fox, Christian Laettner, George Lynch or whatever prototypical leader that has inhabited your favorite team in the recent past.
As for the FSU game, Lawson and Green (the late steal and three-point play) had more to do with that win than anyone else. And the VT game in the tourney, Hansbrough was good but Ellington was a yard better.
Funny, you never know where the comments section will tangent off to.
— JPG
Give it up, JPG
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:17 — tjfooseUnless you pick UNC first, this arugment will continue. You can't win, in their eyes. Doesn't matter that this is simply YOUR picks, YOUR preseason prediction of the final standings of the 09/10 season.
UNC is UNC, and therefore, should be everyone's preseason #1, because, you know, they are UNC. They have the best coach that every breathed, and they always have the best players.
Duke's potential to finish first is just and only that, potential. Until it is proven on the court, it is irrelevant, so don't even bring it up.
UNC's potential, however, is a promise of future performance. When UNC has potential, all that superior coaching done by all those superior UNC coaches will always turn the potential of all those superior UNC players to promise. Potential is more that potential when it wears carolina blue. Don't you know that yet?
Btw, I too think you are wrong. With Lo Brown now coming in with Harrow in 2010, all Sid will need to do is keep Wilson and Irving healthy.
With Wilson and Irving , the 'Pack will obviously finish first, because you know, they both work real hard and are leaders, heroes even. They work so hard, and heroically lead so well, the 'Pack will finish first in basketball simply by those two sitting in the stands and willing the basketball 'Pack to a regular season title.
Amen.
At the end of the day...
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:44 — Heels20I get to look in the mirror and see that I am not a classless wolfpacker. Have fun chasing your first ACC title in nearly 2 decades for basketball, and you first one in football since '79. Loser.
Oh relax Heels... I was
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 19:26 — tjfooseOh relax Heels... I was obviously using sarcasm and satire to have a little fun.
Try to lighten up a bit.
I do appreciate the originality in your personal attack though. Very classy and non-loserlike of you.
Yup
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 19:30 — Heels20Sarcasm. The ultimate wolfpacker defense mechanism. Can't back up his own team, so he tries to talk down others.
highheels20
Tue, 07/21/2009 - 16:45 — bluecatt1i see where your PMS is acting up again, see a dr. and try to calm down , ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!
No, actually, you are
Tue, 07/21/2009 - 00:38 — tjfooseNo, actually, you are incorrect. I did not talk down anyone's team, and I always back my Wolfpack.
I actually agree with you, that UNC should be the favorite, and will, by season's end, prove to be the best team in the ACC.
My point was simply UNC is not CLEARLY better than Duke. Both will be good teams, and an intelligent argument can be made for both... You wanted to belabor JPG for his opinion vs simply disagree with him. You want him to agree with you and to admit you are correct.
JPG's points and opinion are valid and well reasoned. You either can not see that, or chose not to.
But you still just don't get it. Take a deep breath and open your mind sometime, expand you reading comprehension skills, pehaps even consider that there could be varying points of view, all valid, even if you do not share them.
Maybe then you won't be so combative and irritable. Good luck.
Thanks Dr Phil...
Tue, 07/21/2009 - 01:07 — Heels20but I went from presenting my side of the argument and respecting his, to all out disagreeing with him when he said Hansbrough wasn't a leader. JPG is a smart guy and his differing point-of-view of the best team in the conference is something that can help me measure how well I can defend my argument. However, by saying Hansbrough is not a leader, I found that unbelievable and saw multiple flaws in that statement. Now I know a Wolfpacker like you could never agree that Hansbrough is a leader because he's a Tar Heel and that's forbidden. However, despite how much sports knowledge JPG has to offer, I found that particular statement to be an equivalent of someone saying Adam Vinatieri is not clutch, or that Nate Robinson isn't a great athlete.
ti-snoose
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:46 — bluecatt1your team is nothing but a bottom feeder, ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!!
Cute
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:21 — heelsno1I hope the Pack gets better in basketball...that would be heroic!
Me too!
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 19:18 — tjfooseMe too!
Re: Heroic?
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 16:47 — Heels20I did mention that I wasn't taking anything away from Lawson or Ellington. I wasn't saying that they were not leaders, I was simply arguing that Hansbrough was.
As far as that VT game goes, Hansbrough had 28 points and 8 rebounds, not to mention a key tie-up at the end. Ellington had 16 points and 5 rebounds, so I'm not sure where you got the idea that Ellington was "a yard better."
In regards to your list of leaders, those guys were all great at getting teams motivated, but you don't have to be a vocal leader to actually be a leader. One of the best things about Hansbrough was that he wasn't a guy out there running his mouth. He spoke with the way he played. I actually consider he and Russell Wilson to be very similar in the way they lead their teams. Their mouths aren't what make them leaders. Their presence, attitude and determination are what make them leaders.
UNC Schedule
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:15 — tarheel73When you say the schedule can't be that bad because UNC can't play UNC, you are really saying that you believe they are the best. Actually nobody yet knows. But in the case of Carolina basketball, unlike investments, past performance is an indicator of future performance.
I don't think State is
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:14 — JamesinWillowSpringsI don't think State is DOA...in fact, I don't think any team is DOA. I think this year's basketball season will play out like last year's football season, meaning any team at any time is capable of jumping 2-3 spots in the standings with each win. It'll be that close.
If the incoming frontcourt at State can take some of the heat off of Tracey Smith and Javy Gonzalez/Julius Mays FINALLY get their act together, this is a team that could finish above .500 and get into the NCAA discussion. That's about all we can hope for for now, but that would set the table nicely for 2010 and Harrow/Brown's arrival.
On paper...
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 12:54 — JPDOhioit's hard to argue JP's placement of the Pack. But State could do better if enough of the young guys step it up.
Actually, James summed it up pretty well in the last paragraph. We can get into it a little more once JP posts his expert detailed analysis later.
suck up
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:14 — bluecatt1jpd, dont u ever have any thoughts of your own? u are like state, a bottom feeder, ok, go duke!!!!!!!
To clarify
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:51 — jpg (author)I'll have more to say on the Wolfs on Thursday but my point is not that their season is doomed just that they don't enter the season with NCAA hopes, or realistic ones.
I think you're right about the bottom, though. There's going to be very little separation. There won't be a 2-14 team this year but my guess is that neither State nor Miami will win more than five ACC games.
— JPG
Probably right about the
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 17:28 — tjfooseProbably right about the 'Pack, at least that's what it looks like now... but we can always hope. Oh the ever eternal hope and optimism of the Wolfpack fan... or should I say plight and curse?
But somebody could be a surprise stud... Scott Wood? Mays? Howell? Right? Please?
Five wins seems like a legitimate, objective, realisitic prediction. But since when did the comments in this blog become objective and realistic? Is this a trick?
Won't be surprised with 4-6 wins, but hoping for 8-9.
bottom feeder
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:18 — bluecatt1remember u guys said u were glad u didnt get calipari or john wall, so u will remain a bottom feeder, ok, go duke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't know who "u guys"
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:27 — tjfooseI don't know who "u guys" are..., maybe some guys you know from Jersey? I've never stated my thoughts on Calipari or John Wall.
But yes, please do... go, go away.
If not now, then next year
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:10 — uBniceRoy Williams can take a breather this year. He has earned it. But if you are to beat the basketball Heels, you better do it this year. Because Williams and the Heels will be loaded with talent AND experience next year.
Grab the nearest AED
Mon, 07/20/2009 - 09:49 — JPDOhioFans who think JPG is partial to the Wolfpack will need them!