Last year, I predicted 35-5 with a banner, barring no injuries. Well, we obviously had Shoegate and came up short, going 32-6. I was closer than most of the "pessimists", however. But that's over. New year, new team.
This team is going to be extremely good. There is no Zion, that is true. However, the pieces fit really well, and I think we'll be better overall.
Wendell Moore is an absolute stud. He will be in the Winslow conversation (from a BPM standpoint) and a potential lottery pick. He is extremely smart, efficient from 2, solid from 3 after improving his mechanics, and will be a plus defender. He shot 58% from 2 in AAU, which is nearly 10% points higher than both Cam and RJ. I have seen Wendell in the top 10 on several mock drafts. It's not consensus, but it's out there.
Matthew Hurt is another great player. He will be on the borderline of the lottery. Another Twitter user said if his name were Hurtzokov, he'd be a top 5 pick, and that may be true. Hurt is a good defender, has great finishing ability, and is supremely skilled. He and Carey will form the best 1-2 frontcourt pair in the nation. He can flat out shoot it.
Tre Jones- we know how great he is. I think his 3 point shooting has improved, and K has lauded his layup making abilities. He will be a mid-1st rounder, IMO. A great leader, very smart, will be more efficient on 2s and 3s.
Vernon Carey Jr- another great player. He is the most "ready" of all the young college bigs to dominate in college from day 1. He is enormous and skilled. He is also very versatile. Can hit midrange and 3s. Not as nimble as Zion, but he's nimble. He needs to focus on defense and bringing intensity every night, and he will be a 1st round pick.
That's 4 1st round picks, more than anyone else in the country, led by Tre Jones.
The 2 guard position is a question mark. We all know the deal with Alex. Can he defend well enough to stay on the floor? He's an A+ shooter with lots of potential. Cassius Stanley is a supreme athlete. He should be a good defender in time. Can he hit 3s and be a good finisher? If he does, I can see him taking the spot and going early 2nd/late 1st. Think Hamidou Diallo.
Jack White- I watched him at the world university games this year. Just a smart player. Excellent defense/positioning/etc. If he can get back to hitting 3s, he's the perfect role player.
Javin DeLaurier- has earned a lot of praise from Coach K. The advanced stats love his defense. If he can avoid the fouls and continue finishing around the rim with great efficiency, this is another championship piece for the Devils.
Goldwire and Baker in blowouts.
No other team in the country has as much talent. Is it Zion-level talent? No, it is not. But it is more OVERALL talent.
As we know, talent does not always mesh, it doesn't always fit, it doesn't always work out as expected.
But I would favor nobody this year over Duke.
3 regular season losses. I don't predict NCAA tourny anymore, but I would say Duke has a "better chance" than anyone else.
Let's Go.
This team is going to be extremely good. There is no Zion, that is true. However, the pieces fit really well, and I think we'll be better overall.
Wendell Moore is an absolute stud. He will be in the Winslow conversation (from a BPM standpoint) and a potential lottery pick. He is extremely smart, efficient from 2, solid from 3 after improving his mechanics, and will be a plus defender. He shot 58% from 2 in AAU, which is nearly 10% points higher than both Cam and RJ. I have seen Wendell in the top 10 on several mock drafts. It's not consensus, but it's out there.
Matthew Hurt is another great player. He will be on the borderline of the lottery. Another Twitter user said if his name were Hurtzokov, he'd be a top 5 pick, and that may be true. Hurt is a good defender, has great finishing ability, and is supremely skilled. He and Carey will form the best 1-2 frontcourt pair in the nation. He can flat out shoot it.
Tre Jones- we know how great he is. I think his 3 point shooting has improved, and K has lauded his layup making abilities. He will be a mid-1st rounder, IMO. A great leader, very smart, will be more efficient on 2s and 3s.
Vernon Carey Jr- another great player. He is the most "ready" of all the young college bigs to dominate in college from day 1. He is enormous and skilled. He is also very versatile. Can hit midrange and 3s. Not as nimble as Zion, but he's nimble. He needs to focus on defense and bringing intensity every night, and he will be a 1st round pick.
That's 4 1st round picks, more than anyone else in the country, led by Tre Jones.
The 2 guard position is a question mark. We all know the deal with Alex. Can he defend well enough to stay on the floor? He's an A+ shooter with lots of potential. Cassius Stanley is a supreme athlete. He should be a good defender in time. Can he hit 3s and be a good finisher? If he does, I can see him taking the spot and going early 2nd/late 1st. Think Hamidou Diallo.
Jack White- I watched him at the world university games this year. Just a smart player. Excellent defense/positioning/etc. If he can get back to hitting 3s, he's the perfect role player.
Javin DeLaurier- has earned a lot of praise from Coach K. The advanced stats love his defense. If he can avoid the fouls and continue finishing around the rim with great efficiency, this is another championship piece for the Devils.
Goldwire and Baker in blowouts.
No other team in the country has as much talent. Is it Zion-level talent? No, it is not. But it is more OVERALL talent.
As we know, talent does not always mesh, it doesn't always fit, it doesn't always work out as expected.
But I would favor nobody this year over Duke.
3 regular season losses. I don't predict NCAA tourny anymore, but I would say Duke has a "better chance" than anyone else.
Let's Go.
