Noel has reclassified to the class of 2012 and says he will visit UNC with the short time her has for recruiting. We already have 4 players signed for 2012 and have Zeller, Watts, and Stilman White leaving after this year for sure. Remember Jackson Simmons scholarship can be pulled at anytime as a part of their agreement, which leaves us with Barnes and Henson. I believe both are gone regardless of what happens this season, so this means we would have 2 open scholarships at least with one for Noel. Apparently he is well worth a scholly because all i hear about him is how great of a shot blocker he is so i hope Roy goes hard after him. I think it's a race between UCONN and Syracuse but maybe UNC can pull this one out like they did with Barnes. It has to be a good sign that he is listing them in his final 5 when they havent been persuing him as hard as they have been Randle or Meeks. But anyway ill leave it open for debate. Go Heels!
This is very interesting. Noel has switched several times now, but UNC would be crazy not to offer the kid. I'm thinking Roy has an idea about what Randle may or may not do in 2013. If Roy thinks Randle is coming to UNC he won't extend an offer to Noel. If Randle is still on the fence, Roy makes a hard play for Noel. For those of you not familiar with Noel, he's a 6'11" shotblocking machine. His offense is limited, but his athleticism is unmatched. Noel and Brice Johnson up front for UNC would be a devastating defensive twosome for UNC.
I'm not sure if Roy goes after Noel or not but I do know he would help us a lot. I'm not so sure that Roy believes we are going to lose Barnes and Henson early to the NBA draft either. For some reason after we got Johnson to commit Roy backed off Allen, McGary, and Warren and shut down our recruting for the 2012 class. Now I figure Roy either believes that we are getting Randle or he thinks Henson is coming back and maybe Barnes too.
If Henson comes back and we know we are getting Randle in the 2013 class we probably don't need Noel even though he still would help us. If Henson comes back we will have 5 post guys that deserve some minutes in Henson, McAdoo, James, Johnson, and Hubert so we are pretty full in the post. If we did get Noel we could red-shirt James and give him more time to develop but I don't how he would feel about that. I think if we decide to recruit Noel or not will tell us a lot about how Roy feels about his chances with Randle and with Barnes and Henson sticking around another year. Go Heels !!!!!!!!!!
Interesting. He better be damn good for me to have to say "Nerlens" for X amount of years if he were to commit. I certainly wouldnt shy away if his interest in UNC increases. In any case, I dont think Barnes is going anywhere and I strongly feel Henson wont either unless we cut down April nets. With Zeller leaving, its pretty much Henson's frontcourt. I get the strong impression that Randle ends up in Kentucky so that might keep Henson with us as well.
I've read that Noel's "likely" top three are Kentucky, Syracuse and potentially Providence, so my expectations are somewhat low at this point for him. That being said, Syracuse already has a high end recruit in line for their front court next year (Coleman) plus Fab Melo is continuing to develop, so perhaps Syracuse isn't a legitimate contender.
Personally, I feel like Kentucky has to be a favourite. This kid has a very similar skill set to Anthony Davis (great defender, improving on offense), and I think he's probably seen what Davis is doing this year in Calipari's offense and the buzz he's generating re: NBA draft stock. My gut is he steps into Davis' spot next year for the Wildcats.
Hope I'm wrong as he'd be a great addition to the team though.
I am hearing Kentucky too. Plus, I have heard that this kid is thinking "one and done" and that doesn't sit well with Roy. Makes a perfect fit for Calipari though.
I could be wrong, hope I am after the season, but i HIGHLY doubt Barnes or Henson will return next year. HIGHLY DOUBT. It would be awesome, but Im still feeling lucky that they even came back this year. Seems like Henson really loves UNC basketball, so maybe his heart brings him back..But Barnes has every NBA scout slobbering over him, so I cant see him coming back when he is a for sure top 3 pick in June's draft. HOPE IM WRONG
Barnes is a done deal nba next season esp with the injury risk and the fact the nba scouts look like little kids on Xmas when they watch him. Henson is different story his game could use another year but we all know nba is about potential aka Ed davis situation. With everyone going out this yr Im not sure if he goes out high I could be wrong but another year combine with zeller being gone henson could be the main man. Idk it depends on the scouts and where Henson goes but I have a feeling his coming back.
I see where you guys are coming from with Barnes draft projections but it's no different now than it was last season. Barnes shows flashes of ineptness as much as he does greatness. That and being at UNC is more than just basketball for him makes me believe he will stay at least another year.
However, if we manage to cut down April nets, all bets are off.
Not that promises made years ago matter, but I recall when Barnes signed with UNC, he promised his mom he would stay 3 years.
I think the odds of he and Henson staying go up dramatically if UNC does not win a championship this season. It is not that dissimilar to what happended last time with Hansbrough, Ellington and Lawson.
Well, I see that Roy has indeed extended an offer to Noel. One of two things is known. One, Randle will ink elsewhere, or two, Barnes and Henson are gone after this year. Nerlens Noel is Dale Davis Part II. Noel and Johnson up front would be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Royz, where did you see that Roy has offered? Taheeltimes recruiting board doesn't list him as offered. Bleacher Report ids saying Noel recently added Duke to his list of schools generating speculation that he is leaning that way.
Jackson Simmons' scholarship is also available for another player if need be. He is only on scholarship this year because nobody else needed it, and it can be removed to fill an actual need. I think Roy is just going after Noel because he's such a high impact kind of guy. It might not mean anything about who plans to stay and who they think they might be getting.
If Barnes and Henson stays we don't have any available scholarships for Noel even after taking Simmons back and White leaving. Maybe Roy knows that Hubert would be willing to give up his scholarship or something but if not Roy knows that Barnes or Henson are gone after this year if we get an early commitment from Noel. We will also be full for the 2013 class if we get Noel and everybody comes back but Barnes who I really doubt will stay for his senior year too.
This will also be interesting with the early offers to Randle, Parker, and Williams. I think Williams said he plans to make his decision not long after his basketball season is over so we will see how that goes. I really like the idea of getting Noel even if he is a one and done because we could really use an elite big to pair up with McAdoo or cross our fingers Henson. If we get Noel I think we will have a great chance at making another elite 8/final four even if Henson and Barnes leave. I really hope they both stay but I would be happy enough if just one did. Go Heels !!!!!!
I don't believe Desmond Hubert would give up his scholly. He's a great kid who's been through some turmoil and dealt with the loss of his mother. He's a kid that I don't mind being on scholarship for 4 years even if his contributions are minimal. Noel most likely will stay in the northeast at a Big East school. I'm not delusional thinking there's a chance that Barnes and Henson stay. They are as good as gone after this year. It would be nice to have a impact guy for next year in the paint, but even Noel is raw offensively. Let's hope McAdoo improves and becomes more of an offensive threat to fill that void next season. McAdoo, James, and Johnson will be fine up front along with Bullock, Hairston, and Tokoto at the 3. Next year will be a perimeter oriented team. Noel would just be a bonus for 1 year because he's almost a definate 1 and done.
