UPDATE: Fellow Tar Heel blogger Jackie Manuel’s Posse is reporting that he has reliable information which points to a potential announcement this evening that Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson are returning to UNC next season with Wayne Ellington still mulling his options. We will see.
UNC will have it’s team awards banquet tonight at the Smith Center starting at 7 PM. It is free to the public should anyone want to attend. Last season, Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough made their decision to stay UNC known which has many anticipating a similar annoucment tonight or in the very near future. We do know based on recent media reports that Lawson and Hansbrough have not discussed the issue with their parents. According to Lawson’s mother they have not talked about it indicating “right now” he was returning. Gene Hansbrough says they have discussed “[Tyler's] anatomy test and his broken cell phone” but not his decision to stay or not. The elder Hansbrough also indicated it was totally up to his son on whether to enter the draft or not which is always nice to see.
Anyway, all eyes with be on Chapel Hill tonight hoping for a decision. If not the analysis of voice inflections and body language will consume the message boards well into tomorrow.
April 17, 2008 at 7:09 am |
I have to imagine the players want to announce as soon as possible, too. It must be annoying having everyone you know (and don’t know!) constantly asking you what you were going to do.
April 17, 2008 at 7:13 am |
about as annoying as a HC having to put up with a ridiculous flap over wearing a sticker someone offered him on a lark.
my prediction is BOTH are non-issues–players stay, and all the hand-wringing speculation looks like so much Tom-foolery!
April 17, 2008 at 8:02 am |
That would be my bet, as well.
April 17, 2008 at 8:44 am |
Given the strength of this year’s draft class, I’d probably wait another year if I were one of these guys. If Tywon doesn’t suffer another freak injury, he will be a very strong PG prospect. If Tyler can extend his range to where the old 3 point line was, I think he will be in the mid-teens. Wayne just needs a little more consistency in his shot selection.
April 17, 2008 at 9:21 am |
If Tyler Hansbrough needs to improve his 3 point shot, then Lawson needs to work on his post up game. If we are going to use that logic, then we need to be consistent with it. I think Tyler has a great mid-range to outside shot. I don’t want him to try to be a three point threat, that’ll take away what he does best, get rebounds, put-backs, and beast in the painted area.
April 17, 2008 at 10:10 am |
I think the best news is that Love is going to declare today. That will move Hansbrough down another spot, which may seal the deal. If Augustin will declare today, then we would definitely have Lawson back also.
April 17, 2008 at 10:16 am |
I think Will’s point was that Hansbrough will need to hit that 15-18 footer consistently to improve his draft status. He’ll be a PF or SF in the NBA and that shot is key there. Obviously UNC fans want to see him near the hoop where he does the most damage. But at the next level, he’ll need to expand those skills. It will be interesting to see whether Roy opens the door to some more outside shooting for Tyler on set plays when other rebounders are in the game. I don’t expect to see that often, but it might be a nice favor to help market his abilities.
April 17, 2008 at 10:30 am |
Here’s something to ponder: with more post help coming for Tyler next season, and with the work-over he received in the KU game, I think you’ll see Roy have Tyler work on being a better interior defender next year. We simply couldn’t afford to have him pick up fouls in the post most of this season. When pondering Tyler’s pro career and what skills he’ll need, I keep coming back to Dave Cowens–Cowens was a ferocious rebounder and post defender. I think right now, Tyler has a better outside shot, and is a better perimeter defender than Dave was–he adds the tough interior defense, a little better court vision/distribution, and the groundwork has been laid (IMO), for him to be an even more complete player than DC, which is saying something! And I also think we’ll see more outside shooting from him.
April 17, 2008 at 10:32 am |
and good points Wadsworth!
April 17, 2008 at 11:02 am |
Also, with his demonstrated ability to hit the 15-17 footer at the top of the key, UNC should be able to work some great hi-low action next year.
April 17, 2008 at 11:16 am |
I like that we are all (collectively) starting to visualize a Hansbrough return. It’s looking more and more like Lawson will be back as well, given the solid advice that he received from Roy and staff. I did not get in until late last night, and I only check ESPN.com as a last resort (in that I’d rather not hear about how great all Boston teams are…yeah, I was happy for them in 2004-well, not really) and I did not see where Tyreke Evans is going. Anyone? Anyone?
April 17, 2008 at 11:23 am |
THF,
Jackie Manuel’s Posse is reporting that Hansbrough and Lawson are going to announce tonight they are returning, while Ellington is still on the fence. He says his source is “highly reliable” but that he can’t reveal who the source is..
Are you buying it???
I sincerely hope Jackie Manuel’s Posse can be trusted.
DeanForever…
ESPN News reported last night that Tyreke Evans is going to Memphis.
April 17, 2008 at 11:29 am |
Wow, the JMP is really stepping out on a limb there. If the info is correct, than kudos to them, but if not… well, they may as well shut down because their opinion will be worth as much as a $3-bill…
April 17, 2008 at 11:48 am |
We are not worth $3.
April 17, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
Chuckheel-
1. Thanks man. You’ve spared me from having to read about how great Dice-K and A-Rod are (one of them is truly great), how great (overrated) the Celtics are, and blah-blah-blah about Tom Brady. If there are any Boston/UNC fans out there, I mean no disrespect to you personally, but we GET IT by now. Yeah-wooh for Boston. Next.
2. Not sure how to take the whole “Unfortunately, I can’t reveal my sources, but know that this is very very solid information” bit in the JMP blog. Perhaps those Brooklyn lagers injected a little bit of sentimentality into the author’s psyche? I’ve been very adamant in my thoughts on Hansbrough (he will stay). I have also been equally resolute in my suspicion that Lawson would go. I have been (for the most part) convinced that Ellington would stay. I cannot understand why, of all three of those prospects, Wayne Ellington would be “on the fence.” Now, the only sources for (potential) draft positioning that I have are nbadraft.net and, well, heresay. Both of those sources would have me believe that Ellington was the one who was staying-NO QUESTION. This JMP information seems a little…wishful?
But I hope they got this one right at JMP.
April 17, 2008 at 12:20 pm |
So I just did a quick Google search of, “hansbrough returning” and got this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2832699
To bad the date is April 11, 2007!
April 17, 2008 at 12:30 pm |
If you watched the “Player Profile” of Hansbrough on the recent Inside Carolina
http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/inside/roywilliams/
you will see that Tyler spends countless hours working on HIS 3 POINT SHOT. He knows he needs to his this shot to be a good professional because it will be difficult for him to post up 7′3” guys.
To date, however, Tyler is not comfortable taking this shot in the game. And in fact, the Louisville game was probably the first where he was taking many late-game perimeter shots.
If he starts knocking these down in games, I think he will be very marketable. I think Roy would give the green light to a POY.
As for Tywon, he should have been able to leave this year, but he got hurt and couldn’t show all his skills when it counted. Additionally, he won’t be able run through try-outs on a bum ankle.
As for Wayne, I believe he is the most interested in getting to the league soon because of family concerns. Just hope he makes the best decision.
April 17, 2008 at 12:36 pm |
Tyreke Evans is going to Memphis.
Glad to know I’m not the only one that’s bothered by ESPN. It’s having to pay for any info that’s not generated by the AP that bothers me.
April 17, 2008 at 12:37 pm |
Sorry, you all need to watch Tyler’s “Shooting Routine” under “Special Features” on this site.
http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/inside/roywilliams/
April 17, 2008 at 12:52 pm |
All last night I kept thinking their banquet was last night, and I would wake up to great news!
I’m so sick of ku fans here sending me emails, pictures, and stopping by my office to gloat. I even caught flack at my bowling league last night, where they refuse to put any of the 20 TV’s on a Carolina game wednesday nights. they wanted me to be aggravated and bowl bad.
April 17, 2008 at 3:48 pm |
yeah, right–Wayne is “on-the-fence”…and Paris Hilton just enrolled at Wellesley College
details at 11.
April 17, 2008 at 3:52 pm |
Dominic: if they’re true-to-form, the selection committee will put KU in our bracket next March–bear with it–revenge is a dish, best served….
April 17, 2008 at 4:27 pm |
Thanks for the great shots Wayne!
April 17, 2008 at 4:27 pm |
Will, I appreciate that link.
April 17, 2008 at 4:33 pm |
Declared today: Kevin Love (Agent), Brandon Rush (2x, no going back), Darrell Arthur (no agent), Russell Westbrook.
So any Heel who declares tonight probably just lost 3-4 spots, in terms of draft order.
April 17, 2008 at 5:09 pm |
I too hope that JMP is right and I think he does have sources. I know that before the season started it was considered pratically a given that Wayne and Ty were leaving after year 2 and that Tyler would likely stay 4 years. Wayne almost declared last year against all the advice he was given to stay and mostly because his father wanted him to go “sooner than later”. I have heard that Ty’s parents have really come to like Roy and trust his opinion and in combination with the injury I can believe that he will stay another year. In any regard, we’ll know something soon one way or the other! Here’s hoping they all stay.
April 17, 2008 at 5:30 pm |
Intersting to hear speculation that Wayne is the only one thinking about jumping. I viewed him as the least ready to jump and the least likely to be drafted in the first round. There are a lot of guys that are pure shooters and I’d hate to see Wayne leave only to be a second rounder. But it would open interesting doors for Green, Graves and the rookies if Wayne did depart.
April 17, 2008 at 5:46 pm |
I don’t want this to seem like I’m bashing him, because I’m a big fan of his game, but of the three, I think UNC would lose the least if Wayne were the only one to leave. Part of me wonders if it would be Frasor who took his spot in the lineup, so as to not lose the spark DFG brings off teh bench.
April 17, 2008 at 9:02 pm |
I truly believe all our guys will return, they have unfinished business.
April 17, 2008 at 9:06 pm |
Anyone know anyone who is inside watching the awards banquet and has news on any announcements?
April 17, 2008 at 9:11 pm |
Relax everyone, it will be good news, they will all return.
April 17, 2008 at 9:11 pm |
Just reported on rivals.com that Tyler and Ty are coming back. One sentence. Didn’t say anything about Wayne.
April 17, 2008 at 9:15 pm |
From IC:
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Tar Heel fans will have to continue to wait on the decisions of Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington. “We’re not finished with the process,” Roy Williams said Thursday evening following the team banquet. Stay tuned for more on this story …
April 17, 2008 at 9:16 pm |
Yeah, I read the durn rivals.com thing wrong. It said he used LAST year’s event to announce the return of Tyler and Wayne.
Ooh. This may not be good news.
April 17, 2008 at 9:20 pm |
Any other news yet?
April 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm |
C. Michael, waiting patiently, please keep updating, thanks
April 17, 2008 at 9:25 pm |
Just go here and wait: http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/747290.html
April 17, 2008 at 9:27 pm |
Cindy,
Will post if I find anything, but if there was no announcement tonight, then there is unlikely to be any news for a while. In 2005, McCants announced the next day, but it was 11 days before the other 3 announced they were leaving.
My gut tells me it will be next week, and that all 3 will enter, but none will sign with an agent.
April 17, 2008 at 9:29 pm |
This draft is so slam-packed with high-end talent already. I just keep seeing our guys pushed further down the draft board – maybe even off it. If you aren’t solidly projected in the first round, why even bother testing it? Come back next year and be a top-20 draft pick — all three.
April 17, 2008 at 9:34 pm |
GK,
I agree with your overall thesis, although with Hansbrough being a junior, he has nothing to lose by declaring and testing the waters. If he decides to come back, he has wasted nothing because he is automatically in next year, anyway.
April 17, 2008 at 9:58 pm |
G Keith and C Michael, thanks for the info.
GO HEELS
April 17, 2008 at 10:11 pm |
No decision tonight.
http://www.charlotte.com/sports_breaking/story/585858.html
April 17, 2008 at 11:18 pm |
Thanks Matt for the info., we keep waiting. No news is good news
April 18, 2008 at 7:39 am |
If Wayne is still mulling a decision, it has to be whether to play for the Barcelona Bullriders, not the NBA. If he goes this year it’s late second round, NBDL, and then obsurity.
April 18, 2008 at 7:41 am |
For a similar realistic scenario, check out where Trajan Langdon is now……..Russia.
April 18, 2008 at 8:05 am |
You can go all the way back to Skip Wise from Clemson who ignored all the advice he got to stay in school; went anyway and was a major bust. I wouldn’t presume to know all the reasons that push some of these young men to move on when most experts agreed they needed more time to mature and improve. We only have to look as far back as our own Joe Forte to see an example of someone who made the wrong decision despite the advice he was hearing. Let’s hope Wayne makes the best decision for him and his family based on the accurate and honest information that Roy will present to him!
April 18, 2008 at 8:51 am |
Tyler is the only legitimate NBA player at this point. Late lottery pick either this year or next. I personally think he will have a long and durable career. His position in the NBA defies description, sort of like when Rodman played for Chicago. He will be a starter somewhere and will be successful. Hopefully he has a girlfriend at Carolina who has at least a year to go, and he will decide to hang around.
April 18, 2008 at 10:14 am |
Chris, you are right on. There are plenty of pure shooters out there. If you are going to be a stand-alone shooter, you have to be an marksman to make the nba roster after one contract. The Reggie Millers and Ray Allen’s, they are Assassins. They shoot cold-blooded 3’s. I hope that Wayne will become that for UNC this upcoming season. I don’t see him consistantly that way currently. Although, he has had a few games this year that leads me to believe he will be, but no way does he go to the nba and become that on the fly.