Tag: Cade Tyson

UNC basketball maintains Top 10 ranking in Andy Katz’ NEW Power 37 rankings

Andy Katz gave the Tar Heels a good spot in his latest Power 37 rankings.

We’re only three weeks into the 2024-2025 college basketball season, but we’re slowly starting to see several teams shape their identity.

I’ve already watched Kansas prove itself as a continued powerhouse, while Arizona might not be as good as we thought. Duke is one of the most talented teams on paper, but its achilles heel every year – experience – cost it a chance at beating Kentucky.

I can’t formulate too much of an opinion about our North Carolina Tar Heels, but I can tell you they’re exciting to watch. UNC is 2-1 through three games, looking its strongest against American and showing some initial concern against Elon.

Ahead of the stacked Maui Invitational, which begins on Monday, Nov. 25, North Carolina landed 10th in Andy Katz’ latest Power 37 rankings. These groupings are new to the 2024-2025 season, with Katz utilizing the Power 36 a season ago.

The Tar Heels found themselves trailing Iowa State (ninth), Alabama (eighth), Purdue (seventh), Duke (sixth), Kentucky (fifth), Auburn (fourth), UConn (third), Gonzaga (second) and Kansas (first).

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When Armando Bacot, Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram left UNC in the offseason, I’ll admit I had some initial concerns about the team’s depth – and veteran leadership.

Through three games, North Carolina has quickly showcased additional depth and new leaders – both from the transfer portal and amongst returners.

Elliot Cadeau has stepped up alongside reining ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, giving the Tar Heels one of the country’s most dangerous backcourt duos. Drake Powell might be the best defensive player on the roster, while Seth Trimble added an offensive arsenal to his bag.

Jae’Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington are thriving in their first year as starters. Belmont tranfser Cade Tyson is starting to look more comfortable, while Ven-Allen Lubin is that productive, long-overdue big man off the bench.

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How did UNC’s post players perform in closer-than-expected victory over Elon?

UNC might be better off in the frontcourt than you expect this coming basketball season.

Without Armando Bacot in a North Carolina Tar Heels uniform any longer, UNC is in big need of players to step up in the post this season.

Luckily for North Carolina, it has plenty of post guys to rotate with – and all are experienced upperclassmen.

Jalen Washington, who started at center in UNC’s 90-76 victory over Elon, is a junior. Jae’Lyn Withers, who started at power forward, is in his fifth season. Ven-Allen Lubin, the Vanderbilt transfer who came off the bench and can play both the four or five, is a junior. Cade Tyson, the sharp-shooting Belmont transfer seen as a Stretch Four, is a junior.

I’m really encouraged by what I saw from the Tar Heels’ post rotation Monday night, particularly from Withers and Washington. Withers grabbed a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Washington poured in eight points, grabbed four rebounds, blocked a shot, stole a ball and recorded an assist.

Lubin scored four points, registered seven rebounds and blocked two shots in 17 minutes off the bench, while Tyson scored two points – and grabbed two rebounds – in 16 minutes off the bench.

Look at the second sentence of what respected college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein said: Hubert Davis would sign for 3/4 of North Carolina’s post production on Monday night, particularly in a post-Bacot world.

I agree with Rothstein. There are bound to be some growing pains for UNC in the paint during college basketball season, but at least it has experienced upperclassmen in Lubin, Withers and Washington to count on for production.

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Projected UNC basketball starter named to Karl Malone Award Watch List

Cade Tyson, arguably UNC’s greatest addition from the college basketball transfer portal, earned some major preseason recognition on Halloween.

I was a little concerned when the college basketball offseason started, as the North Carolina Tar Heels struck out on several, high-profile transfer portal targets to replace production from last year’s veterans.

With the regular season starting in just a couple days, though, that concern is no longer.

Not even a month after the NCAA Tournament ended, UNC head coach Hubert Davis landed sharp-shooting power forward Cade Tyson, the in-state junior who played his first two seasons of college ball at Belmont University.

Tyson hasn’t played a game yet in Carolina Blue, but he’s already gaining some well-deserved preseason recognition.

On Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31), Tyson was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List. Tyson is one of 20 total honorees, plus just one of two from the ACC (Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin)

If you’re a fan of the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers or simply just basketball in general, you’re likely familiar with the Award’s namesake, as Malone is one of the best power forwards to ever play the game.

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Tyson is exactly the kind of player who fits the Tar Heels’ roster. He’s 6’7″ and can play at either the 3 or 4, possibly even the 5 in smaller lineups, sort of like a Brady Manek-type star.

More importantly for UNC, Tyson can shoot – and make – 3-pointers. His numbers at Belmont were unconscious: a career 44.6 percent mark from beyond the arc, highlighted by a season-high of 46.5% last year.

North Carolina isn’t always known for its perimeter shooting, so Tyson fills an immediate void. Tyson’s also the type of Stretch 4 that helped the Tar Heels to their surprise, 2022 NCAA Title Game run, with the only difference being his name isn’t Brady Manek.

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Andy Katz reverses course, praises RJ Davis but with a catch

RJ Davis is amongst the nation’s best perimeter shooters, but is he THE best?

It came as a shock to many when reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, ahead of the 2024-2025 college basketball season, wasn’t named the ACC’s best player.

Andy Katz, a well-known college basketball correspondent, instead named Duke’s Cooper Flagg as the ACC’s best player. Flagg is being billed as a generational talent, but he hasn’t even played in a live college game yet.

Despite the disrespect, Davis is still one of the nation’s best players. He led the North Carolina Tar Heels with 21.2 points per game last year, including a career-best 42 points against Miami in February.

Davis did get some respect from Katz, though, as he was Katz’ fifth-best 3-point shooter in the country.

Davis shot 39.8% from deep last year, which was 38th nationally and third in the ACC. That percentage was also Davis’ career-best – and just ahead of teammate Harrison Ingram.

David will get some major help from beyond the are this coming season, as Belmont transfer Cade Tyson‘s 46.5% mark from deep was second-best in college basketball.

One could make the case it’s absurd Tyson isn’t on this list. Koby Brea led college basketball in 3-point percentage last year, so he’s deserving of the top spot,

By the end of March Madness, will Davis live up to (and exceed) his hype?

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Can this UNC basketball transfer be the Breakout Player of the Year?

Can this UNC basketball transfer be the next Breakout Player of the Year?

Sparks started flying this offseason when Hubert Davis and UNC basketball landed Belmont transfer Cade Tyson. It made it especially sweet with the departures of Armando Bacot, Harrison Ingram, and Cormac Ryan.

Is it possible that Tyson could fill all of those shoes in his first year at the program?

In his freshman and sophomore seasons with Belmont, Tyson averaged 13.6 and 16.2 points per game. He also added a career average of 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and almost one steal per game.

He also shot 49% from the field and 46.5% from behind the arc. He has the body to bully down low like Bacot, the versatility of Ingram, and the shooting ability of Ryan. A recipe for success if used right.

Not only can Tyson shoot, but the threat he brings will also open up more opportunities for reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis and facilitator Elliot Cadeau amongst others.

Tyson will battle for time with current Tar Heels Ja’Lynn Withers and Jalen Washington as well as transfer Ven-Allen Lubin. However, with his upside, he should be able to carve that time out.

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UNC basketball transfer named a ‘best fit’ for 2024-25 season

Why Cade Tyson is named as a ‘best fit’ for the Tar Heels out of the transfer portal.

Hubert Davis and North Carolina have found success in the transfer portal over the past few years. Players like Brady Manek, Harrison Ingram, and Cormac Ryan have found success in their one season with the program.

And the hope is that they have found another player who has success out of the portal with the program in Cade Tyson.

The former Belmont standout committed to North Carolina out of the portal, becoming the first player out of the portal to do so. The addition of Tyson gives UNC another wing as they look to replace the production of both Ingram and Ryan. While we have to wait to see the impact that Tyson will make, 247Sports believes he’s a perfect fit for the Tar Heels.

The site listed Tyson as the best fit among players at his position:

1. Cade Tyson, from Belmont to North Carolina: It’s hard to find a better big-bodied shooter in the portal than Tyson. The 6-foot-8 wing shot over 46% on 156 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last season. He’s the perfect complement for UNC’s talent-laden backcourt because Tyson doesn’t need the ball in his hands 24/7 to be impactful. Just attack long closeouts, knock down treys, run the floor in transition and go rebound. UNC can keep it simple for Tyson, and that’s a good thing for both sides. Big shooter Brady Manek thrived in Hubert Davis’ system, Tyson will look to do the same.

Tyson was a knock-down shooter at Belmont and looks to bring that to North Carolina, which would really help the Tar Heels fill some lost production.

Having a good backcourt with the return of RJ Davis, Seth Trimble and Elliot Cadeau is a good start, and getting a good shooter for the wing should help even more.

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Basketball transfer portal target Coleman Hawkins chooses Kansas State over UNC

Maybe missing out on Coleman Hawkins wasn’t the worst thing in UNC’s transfer portal pursuits.

The UNC men’s basketball team struck out, once again, chasing a top target in the transfer portal.

North Carolina’s latest miss was Coleman Hawkins, the big man who – last season – led Illinois to its first Elite 8 appearance since 2005. Hawkins averaged 6.1 rebounds and a career-high 12.1 points per game, so when he initially entered his name in the transfer portal, it came as no surprise he has plenty of suitors.

The Tar Heels are in need of an experienced starting center. They already have Jalen Washington and Zayden High on the roster, plus incoming freshman James Brown, but Washington is the only one with extensive experience – and he was a reserve last year.

I like the idea of Washington starting, but it’s discouraging to see UNC strike out on these top talents.

On Friday, June 14, Hawkins announced that he’d be transferring to Kansas State. The Wildcats, like the Fighting Illini, made the Elite 8 last year.

If there was any speculation about Hawkins chasing money in the transfer portal, his NIL deal at K-State confirms that speculation. Hawkins’ deal is reported to be over $2 million.

North Carolina did add a couple starters in the transfer portal, though, snagging Cade Tyson from Belmont and Ven-Allen Lubin from Vanderbilt. Tyson is expected to replace Cormac Ryan at small forward, while Lubin will likely replace Harrison Ingram at power forward.

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Where UNC basketball’s transfer class ranks per 247Sports

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ transfer portal additions of Ven-Allen Lubin and Cade Tyson have them Top-10 in the ACC.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are going to be set for the coming college basketball season.

It’ll be weird not seeing Armando Bacot suiting up, plus I’m sure it’ll take some time adjusting to no Harrison Ingram. The duo provided a rare, solid 2-man post presence not seen since the Isaiah Hicks-Kennedy Meeks days.

UNC is still searching for an experienced center in the transfer portal, but will be set even without one. Jalen Washington has been waiting two years behind Bacot for the starting center role, a spot which he deserves every bit of.

Even with just two additions in the portal, Cade Tyson (Belmont) and Ven-Allen Lubin (Vanderbilt), North Carolina only lost rarely-used James Okonkwo to the portal.

This activity ranks the Tar Heels in the ACC’s Top 10 transfer rankings.

“UNC jumped into the top 10 following Ven-Allen Lubin’s commitment on Thursday,” Grant Hughes wrote. “The Tar Heels only have two transfers (the fewest on this list), but they’re two of the best. Cade Tyson is the highest-ranked transfer to commit to an ACC school this offseason, while Lubin gives UNC upside in the frontcourt after averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds as a sophomore at Vanderbilt last season. UNC’s average rating per transfer (94.0) leads the ACC and ranks No. 7 in the nation.”

There’s a solid chance UNC still adds a player or two, as North Carolina is linked to the likes of Illinois transfer Coleman Hawkins and Kentucky’s Ugonna Onyenso.

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UNC basketball has the top ranked transfer in the ACC

247Sports ranked Cade Tyson as the best transfer in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the upcoming season.

North Carolina found success with the transfer portal last season, not only landing a handful of players but landing two key starters in Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan. With some key departures this year, Hubert Davis and his staff need to fill some voids.

So far, they have landed two commitments as Cade Tyson and most recently Ven-Allen Lubin have joined the Tar Heels. And while it’s a small class right now, it has a major impact player on it.

In 247Sports’ rankings of the best transfers next season into the Atlantic Coast Conference, Tyson took the top spot on the list, beating out several other players:

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These rankings were put out after Allen committed to UNC but I don’t believe he will be cracking the top 10 just yet. Still, the two additions for Davis and the staff are important, helping fill a need on the wing for the Tar Heels.

It’s getting late in the process, and the options are winding down for the Tar Heels so this just might the class that Davis and his staff end up with.

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UNC just behind rival in 247Sports ACC Hoops rankings

Can North Carolina exceed its preseason expectations with a young, talented team led by star fifth-year guard RJ Davis?

It’s never too early to start talking about college basketball, particularly if you’re the North Carolina Tar Heels.

I feel like this is said every year, but you truly do have every reason to believe UNC will contend for an NCAA Championship.

North Carolina’s 2024-2025 roster is headlined by the return of RJ Davis, the reigning ACC Player of the Year. The Tar Heels bring in a Top-10 recruiting class highlighted by All-Americans Drake Powell and Ian Jackson, return a pair of talented guards in Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble, plus they nabbed Cade Tyson in the transfer portal.

With all North Carolina has going for itself heading into the coming college hoops season, which begins with games in November, there’s no surprise 247Sports ranked UNC second amongst ACC teams in its Way-Too-Early power rankings, just a spot behind archrival Duke.

“UNC’s backcourt should be among the nation’s best,” Isaac Trotter wrote. “RJ Davis is a bonafide superstar and getting a fifth season – out of an All-American like this – is a luxury few can replicate. Davis is a cheat code and he’s going to stay a cheat code. Five-star Ian Jackson brings a jolt of downhill explosiveness. Seth Trimble can move his feet and be one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. If Trimble’s jumper progresses, he’ll play early and often. Elliot Cadeau, for all of his real flaws, is still young and deserves the benefit of the doubt that he will get better. The Cade Tyson addition is just perfect. The Belmont transfer provides the flamethrower from deep that UNC so desperately needed.

“Carolina is going to be really, really good if Davis stays healthy. Duke has the (small) edge now, but Hubert Davis’ moves down the stretch could seal UNC as the cream of the crop in the ACC (again).”

I’m completely fine with the Blue Devils being ranked ahead of us. These are simply just preseason rankings, plus Duke never lives up to its talent on paper.

There’s no doubt the Tar Heels are extremely talented, but they’ll be a significantly younger, inexperienced squad.

Can North Carolina live up to its preseason hype once again?

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