Or he pulls a move out of the Terrence Jones announcement playbook, and commits to UNC, only to commit to Duke 10 minutes later.
Brandon Ingram
- Thread starter CatcherForLife6
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Or he pulls a move out of the Terrence Jones announcement playbook, and commits to UNC, only to commit to Duke 10 minutes later.
I would love to get Ingram, but I'm also interested in the prospects if we don't. I think we would play a 3 guard lineup without him and it would be fun to see any combination of Matt/Derryck/Luke/Grayson on the floor at one time. I especially love the offensive possibilities if Derryck, Luke, and Grayson are on the floor at the same time.
I hope we get him, but I'll be excited about the season regardless.
I hope we get him, but I'll be excited about the season regardless.
I agree with you dbav, I'm banking on him to UNC. It'd be great if he decided to come to Duke but I don't really think that it's going to happen.
It's probably a combination of the Kinston connection and also not wanting to get too excited about him potentially coming given what happened with Harrison Barnes. Logically, he'd fit better at Duke in terms of playing time, playing for the best coach in the country, and just filling in a spot on the wing. He'd be behind Pinson and Jackson at UNC. Logically, Duke is the sound decision, and many on 247 believe so too. However, I think people are putting into play the fact that his decision could come down to external pressure and emotions, making UNC the choice.
More of banking on my own hunch (known to be wrong in the past) than any "insider info" along with the connections that he has to unx... AAU Team, Jerry Stackhouse, etc.
This evidence of Ingram to UNC seems to be surmountable. First, he's having his announcement at Kinston, and now sources have reported that Brandon was sipping on a Coke at the cafeteria today. That said, some of the more skeptical Heel fans have surrounded the school in hopes of finding the definitive proof that Ingram is going to be coming to UNC...a 'nanner puddin' sighting. Updates forthcoming.
Check out the hilarious spin Carolina's Rivals beat writer put on this recruitment. Pretty ridiculous:
"Duke needs players. It just lost three freshmen early to the NBA draft and also must replace its leader from the national title team in senior guard Quinn Cook. The returning bench is so-so, so Coach K needs star-caliber guys. Ingram certainly fits.
Carolina, on the other hand, doesn't exactly have immediate playing time to sell, at least in the form of major minutes. But the Tar Heels will begin the season as major national title contenders - a prospect enhanced by Ingram's presence - and with J.P. Tokoto leaving, there is a slot Ingram should be able to fit into. Then, as a sophomore, he'd have every opportunity to start with a year of experience behind him wearing the uniform he most dreamt about as a kid.
Duke needs Ingram because it needs players, and as a modified version of what Kentucky has become, K needs to continue the train, and snagging an instate kid from the Heels would further solidify his program as a notch above UNC's at the moment."
That's some great writing. Give this dude a Pulitzer.
"Duke needs players. It just lost three freshmen early to the NBA draft and also must replace its leader from the national title team in senior guard Quinn Cook. The returning bench is so-so, so Coach K needs star-caliber guys. Ingram certainly fits.
Carolina, on the other hand, doesn't exactly have immediate playing time to sell, at least in the form of major minutes. But the Tar Heels will begin the season as major national title contenders - a prospect enhanced by Ingram's presence - and with J.P. Tokoto leaving, there is a slot Ingram should be able to fit into. Then, as a sophomore, he'd have every opportunity to start with a year of experience behind him wearing the uniform he most dreamt about as a kid.
Duke needs Ingram because it needs players, and as a modified version of what Kentucky has become, K needs to continue the train, and snagging an instate kid from the Heels would further solidify his program as a notch above UNC's at the moment."
That's some great writing. Give this dude a Pulitzer.
It was my understanding that Ingram grew up a Duke fan so I'm not sure how much he "dreamt" about wearing a UNC uniform.
What will Coach K do in such a demise? I mean we will only be SO SO, SO. What will be their excuse when they get whipped by such a so so team next year also?
Feel he's headed to Chapel Hill. They should be loaded even without him to make a run at the NC. Hope HOF Coach Roy Williams can keep um all happy on Franklin St. I have a feeling Tokoto will be coming back. OFC
My sources are telling me Coach Williams brought MJ to the in-home. No wonder the meeting only lasted 30 minutes. Kid's a Tar Heel.
I'm sorry I just don't think they're as big of a title contender as most people. Yes they return a lot of people from a double digit loss team. They're good but I am not buying this championship team talk. My opinion.
If Paige is healthy and playing his best, they are going to be a top 8 team. If not, they'll be outclassed by elite guard play.
I think UNC's definitely a top 5 team. I attribute their record last year to a combination of Paige's injuries rendering him ineffective at some key stretches, and the ACC schedule being somewhat brutal last year. The difference between UNC and Duke / Wisconsin, for instance, was pretty negligible except that an injured version of Paige, Berry, and Jackson weren't good enough to finish games for them. I suspect an extra year of experience for Berry and Jackson + Paige's improved health should address that problem.
With that said, part of my conviction is driven by the weakness of the rest of college basketball. If there was a team that could match the pure talent of UK, Duke and Arizona from last season, or the combination of talent / experience / execution of Wisconsin, I would pick that team as my likely title favorite. UNC, at this point, is the default choice b/c they look to be the most complete at all spots. The combo. of so many kids from the 2014 class declaring, a weak 2015 class generally, and a lot of the top 2015 players committing to untraditional schools (i.e., unlike the past few years, a lot of the top kids are committing to schools that don't have a realistic chance of competing for a title), means that there just aren't a ton of great teams out there.
IMO, last year, when Duke came out focused and intense, there were legitimately only ~10 teams that could push them and, if Duke shot the ball well from the perimeter, that number went down to 5-6 teams. UK's lists were probably even smaller in both regards. In fact, if you look at Duke's tourney, what is most amazing about that entire run is we beat 3 consistent top 10-15 teams without playing close to our A game offensively in any of those contests. I don't think that's going to be the case for next year's UNC team -- particularly if they miss on Ingram. Next year, I suspect we see a reversion back to a 2010, 2011, or 2014-type season, where the tourney is littered with higher-seeded teams falling before the final four.
With that said, part of my conviction is driven by the weakness of the rest of college basketball. If there was a team that could match the pure talent of UK, Duke and Arizona from last season, or the combination of talent / experience / execution of Wisconsin, I would pick that team as my likely title favorite. UNC, at this point, is the default choice b/c they look to be the most complete at all spots. The combo. of so many kids from the 2014 class declaring, a weak 2015 class generally, and a lot of the top 2015 players committing to untraditional schools (i.e., unlike the past few years, a lot of the top kids are committing to schools that don't have a realistic chance of competing for a title), means that there just aren't a ton of great teams out there.
IMO, last year, when Duke came out focused and intense, there were legitimately only ~10 teams that could push them and, if Duke shot the ball well from the perimeter, that number went down to 5-6 teams. UK's lists were probably even smaller in both regards. In fact, if you look at Duke's tourney, what is most amazing about that entire run is we beat 3 consistent top 10-15 teams without playing close to our A game offensively in any of those contests. I don't think that's going to be the case for next year's UNC team -- particularly if they miss on Ingram. Next year, I suspect we see a reversion back to a 2010, 2011, or 2014-type season, where the tourney is littered with higher-seeded teams falling before the final four.
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UNC should be top three next year but like it's states I believe basketball will be down. I think with or without Ingram we will be one if the beat teams once again. With Ingram we could push for a top 3 spot too especially considering UK isn't tearing it up recruiting
I honestly think Florida St. is going to be more imposing than North Carolina next year. They should absolutely loaded. But Duke has a very good chance to be special on defense next year. If Duke does indeed sign Ingram, Duke will be great by seasons end. Pick rolls will be impossible to guard especially if Amile becomes a little more consistent scoring in the paint.
Glad to have you back on board dattier. OFC
Actually if you read correctly, you'd see that I was inquiring about inside info of Ingram to UNC.
Wow, Dattier. That is like seeing the Ghost of Babe Ruth.
Well guys, for some unknown reason, I cannot bring myself to lose any sleep over Ingram, one way or another. Maybe it's because he already said that if not for the possible sanctions, he would have already signed with them.
As far as the Tarholes getting him, have at it, and yes, they are going to be a top 10 team without him, top 5 with him, they will be good.
But simply put, getting Derryck Thornton was the big get for Duke! Don't get me wrong, I would still like to see Ingram pick Duke, but we will be fine either way. Someone else will just have to step up a little more.
Next year is going to be fun!! Maybe not so much for K's nerves, but when he gets this bunch under control, Duke is not going to be someone that teams will look forward to dealing with.
So don't lose any sleep over Ingram, if he comes to Duke, it is just icing on the cake, but either way, it's gonna be OK!!!
Go Duke!!
JC-OFC
As far as the Tarholes getting him, have at it, and yes, they are going to be a top 10 team without him, top 5 with him, they will be good.
But simply put, getting Derryck Thornton was the big get for Duke! Don't get me wrong, I would still like to see Ingram pick Duke, but we will be fine either way. Someone else will just have to step up a little more.
Next year is going to be fun!! Maybe not so much for K's nerves, but when he gets this bunch under control, Duke is not going to be someone that teams will look forward to dealing with.
So don't lose any sleep over Ingram, if he comes to Duke, it is just icing on the cake, but either way, it's gonna be OK!!!
Go Duke!!
JC-OFC
Good post, JCC. I too would love to see Ingram in a Duke uniform (and think we have a good shot at it), but if he doesn't come we'll survive quite nicely. As our rival's former coach once said, 'we'll win with you, or without you'.
OFC
Looks like he's made it official. Monday at 610 EST. I think it's funny they put a schedule out.
5:40 p.m.: Doors open for gym
6 p.m.: Doors close
6:03 p.m.: Welcome – KHS basketball coach/athletics director Perry Tyndall, introduces Bryan Hanks
6:05 p.m.: Bryan – Introduces Brandon’s dad, Donald, who will issue thank you’s and speak for a moment
6:07 p.m.: Bryan – Quick summary of events, introduction of Brandon and recognition of family members, school personnel (principal, superintendent, etc.)
6:10 p.m.: Brandon makes announcement
6:11 p.m.: Three-to-four very general questions from Bryan to Brandon on the stage about the decision
6:15 p.m.: Brandon is escorted to locker room, where entities will get 1-2 minutes each for 1-on-1s
6:35 p.m.: Brandon is escorted back to gym, where he will sign autographs
5:40 p.m.: Doors open for gym
6 p.m.: Doors close
6:03 p.m.: Welcome – KHS basketball coach/athletics director Perry Tyndall, introduces Bryan Hanks
6:05 p.m.: Bryan – Introduces Brandon’s dad, Donald, who will issue thank you’s and speak for a moment
6:07 p.m.: Bryan – Quick summary of events, introduction of Brandon and recognition of family members, school personnel (principal, superintendent, etc.)
6:10 p.m.: Brandon makes announcement
6:11 p.m.: Three-to-four very general questions from Bryan to Brandon on the stage about the decision
6:15 p.m.: Brandon is escorted to locker room, where entities will get 1-2 minutes each for 1-on-1s
6:35 p.m.: Brandon is escorted back to gym, where he will sign autographs