2025-26 Preseason Practice

[HyattsCuse]

The usual disclaimers apply. This was just one practice. Sometimes strange things happen in practice. Take all comments with a large grain of salt.

William Kyle

Looks shorter than Freeman or White. Very quick and athletic. Can jump. Will block some shots. Scored some on pick and rolls. Likes that play. More on that later. Also flashed a few traditional low post type moves. Battled on defense. I don’t think he will be a major liability on defense. Don’t expect him to be a big scorer but should average around 10 ppg.

Disclaimer acknowledged, but this comment is what jumped out to me the most. If Kyle is averaging double figures in points, that sounds like a game changer to me! Legit inside presence that teams have to be honest about and defend against even if it’s just lobs and layups around the rim. That would open up the court for everyone else on offense IMO.

 

[Cuse On 3]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[pearl31]

with body language like that they'll be lucky to win 10 games

 

[hoopsupstate]

Where’s our computer/analytics wizard who works with Kline?

 

[Cuse99&01]

wow...how many coaches and team managers are on this team?

 

[Niastri]

Disclaimer acknowledged, but this comment is what jumped out to me the most. If Kyle is averaging double figures in points, that sounds like a game changer to me! Legit inside presence that teams have to be honest about and defend against even if it’s just lobs and layups around the rim. That would open up the court for everyone else on offense IMO.

Kyle is a very good shotblocker (10% block% in conference last season) and a good offensive rebounder 8%). His single best skill is dunking the ball. It's why he shot .70 from the field last season.

Kyle averaged 2.9 ppg in 9.8 mpg and it isn't a stretch that he'll score 10ppg with more minutes and with George as his point guard.

 

[Timonen]

Would be nice if we didn’t let Seth leave made him bench coach.

 

[Bill Orange]

wow...how many coaches and team managers are on this team?

I'm counting at least 7 managers. Back in my day in 77-78, we had 3.

 

[Orangezoo]

lol at the absurd faith in UNC. Not sure what these knuckleheads are seeing with that roster beyond the name on the jersey.

 

[SimonSays]

can’t wait for this year !

 

[sweetpea]

Would be nice if we didn’t let Seth leave made him bench coach.

So Seth would be the BEST guy to help Red? I don't get the fascination of bringing in Greenberg or Martelli to babysit Red. Red has to figure it out. Hopefully it will happen this season.

 

[sufan59]

So Seth would be the BEST guy to help Red? I don't get the fascination of bringing in Greenberg or Martelli to babysit Red. Red has to figure it out. Hopefully it will happen this season.

I lol at some of these suggestions. Maybe Red should just not even show up to the games and watch at home hahaha. Ok Red is coaching for his job and any future plans he has for this program this season. He’s got a lot of talent to work with that put their trust in him to lead the program they choose with incentive these days to be apart of. Let him cook and coach his team.

 

[Orangezoo]

This obsession over height at the 5 is getting to be a little absurd. You would think we are running out a lineup with a 6-4 center and a bunch of 5-11 guys the rest of the roster.

 

[Orangezoo]

So a few things-

1) while one of the simplest concepts you will find the pick and roll offense is one of the most difficult to defend when you have the right personnel and supporting cast. Thus the roster we currently have fits like a glove. You need a guy like Kyle and others like Souare and Sadiq because they can catch and rise quickly of that action. You then pair with a shooter like Kingz and a scorer in JJ to force the defense to stay honest or make them pay if they attack the ball handler (akin to what Houston likes to do).

1A- Insert a guy like Donnie who can roll or pop out and you have different looks to throw at a defense. Additionally, Donnie is a threat at all 3 levels and in ISO too. Thus the defense has to be organized to help properly when defending the pass out of a roll or a hedge.

2- Time will tell if any of the bigs are more comfortable than others in the short roll, but using the success with Maliq as a template it’s something else to run with having more mobility and athleticism up front.

All of these things are better suited to the bigs on the roster (pending #2). You pair that pressure you put on any defense but especially one with a less mobile big alongside better perimeter defense and it reduces the concerns everyone seems so focused on with dealing with bigger 5 men who are a threat in the post. The length and athleticism then serves as the primary counter on the defensive end and maybe a spot minutes 7 footer should he be comfortable enough in a pinch.

 

[althea]

lol at the absurd faith in UNC. Not sure what these knuckleheads are seeing with that roster beyond the name on the jersey.

You say this every year and yet they end up in the tournament somehow. There is a lot of talent on that roster and it wasn’t cheap. We shall see.

 

[Orangezoo]

You say this every year and yet they end up in the tournament somehow. There is a lot of talent on that roster and it wasn’t cheap. We shall see.

They underperformed last year despite being hyped up pre season, and didn’t make the tourney in 22-23. I’m not saying they aren’t a tourney team just that being a lock for top 5 ACC is a lot. The 23-24 team ended up better than the roster looked for sure.

 

[23Zone]

Good thing about the schedule is we will know right away if we are legit or sh**

I think we are going to be firm

 

[Orange315]

I just hope we don't spend half the year trying "different rotations" and no more hockey line substitutions. It made no sense to me that last year that in the two exhibitions the starters were never on the floor together. Start your starters, mix in your bench as needed and be consistent with it. This team seems to have plenty of talent to be good.

 

[baggerbob]

This obsession over height at the 5 is getting to be a little absurd. You would think we are running out a lineup with a 6-4 center and a bunch of 5-11 guys the rest of the roster.

That's because some of these people don't remember DC who as a junior playing center set the school record for blocked shots in a season at 6-9, until Etan broke it also at 6-9.

 

[orangefog]

That's because some of these people don't remember DC who as a junior playing center set the school record for blocked shots in a season at 6-9, until Etan broke it also at 6-9.

And how tall was Jerami McNeil?

 

[RedtheGOB]

Good thing about the schedule is we will know right away if we are legit or sh**

I think we are going to be firm

Very true. We know exactly who we should crush and exactly which teams early that will be legit. 3 top 25 teams in 10 days / 2 in 24 hours is something Duke would struggle with.

 

[Cheriehoop]

And how tall was Jerami McNeil?

6’8”

 

[OrangeXtreme]