Tag: Ven-Allen Lubin

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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Where do Tar Heels land in college basketball insider Jon Rothstein’s preseason rankings?

Jon Rothstein knows college basketball. He’s really high on the UNC men’s basketball team in his preseason rankings.

We’re just over two months away from the start of college basketball season – and the North Carolina Tar Heels are eager to show how much they’ve improved in the offseason.

College basketball insider Jon Rothstein is high on UNC’s chances entering the 2024-2025, as he ranks UNC seventh in his “Rothstein 45” rankings.

Reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis decided to stay his final season, which immediately made UNC ACC Championship contenders. Davis wasn’t the only Tar Heel to stay, as center Jalen Washington, guards Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble will also be back.

What North Carolina lost in Armando Bacot, Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan, it replaced with Ven-Allen Lubin, Cade Tyson, 5-star freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. Just when you thought the Tar Heels were done making moves, they added Georgia Tech transfer Tyzhaun Claude.

UNC will have a chance to truly prove itself in non-conference play, with a grueling schedule that includes Kansas, Dayton, Auburn/Iowa State, Alabama, Florida and UCLA.

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1828819276901601608

I agree with these rankings, except for where Iowa State and Baylor are ranked. I’m not saying North Carolina should be ranked ahead of either team, but these three are on an equal level from a talent standpoint.

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Ven-Allen Lubin details why he chose the Tar Heels

You’ll want to read why Ven-Allen Lubin chose the UNC men’s basketball team in the transfer portal.

The North Carolina Tar Heels’ men’s basketball program knew that after last season ended, they’d have to address roster holes through the transfer portal.

All-time UNC great Armando Bacot ran out of eligibility, as did starting small forward Cormac Ryan. Harrison Ingram, last year’s starting power forward, declared for the NBA Draft. There was question about RJ Davis moving on, but he decided to return.

Suddenly, for a program that prides itself on post play, there weren’t a ton of experienced post players.

After swinging and missing on several top transfer portal recruits, North Carolina nabbed its first addition in Belmont transfer Cade Tyson, who figures to slot into Ryan’s role. Two months later – in May – the Tar Heels addressed another hole with Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin. If I had to guess, Lubin starts at power forward.

Now, three months later, we finally hear from the newest UNC basketball player to don Carolina blue. See why he chose Chapel Hill as his next hoops destination:

“The past two years of my college experience, I haven’t been able to experience being in the NCAA Tournament,” Lubin told InsideCarolina’s Adam Smith.” And I know that North Carolina has a history of being on that stage. So I know that they’ll take me there to be able to experience it this year firsthand, and go even further than we did last year.”

Lubin, entering his junior season, spent last year at Vanderbilt. He spent freshman year at Notre Dame, where he was teammates with Ryan, which played a factor in him choosing the Tar Heels.

“As soon as I heard UNC was looking at me, I knew I had to hit him (Cormac) up,” Lubin told Smith. “He just said it’s going to be great for you to expose yourself to the biggest stage in your life, really. He said, ‘it’s going to be a great opportunity for you to show who you are, and what you’re capable of. And if you want to go to the next level, that’s the place for you.'”

Lubin started all 26 games he appeared in for the Commodores last year, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. I can’t wait to see him produce in Carolina Blue.

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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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Does Ven-Allen Lubin’s commitment to UNC basketball guarantee him a starting spot?

The Tar Heels should immediately make Ven-Allen Lubin their starting power forward for the coming season.

Thursday was a big day for the UNC basketball program.

After coming so close to landing the likes of coveted transfers Oumar Ballo, Aaron Bradshaw and Cliff Omoruyi – only for them to choose other schools – North Carolina finally grabbed Vanderbilt transfer Ven-Allen Lubin.

The Tar Heels had post players before Lubin’s addition – Jae’Lyn Withers, Jalen Washington, Zayden High and incoming freshman James Brown – but none with extensive college experience.

Lubin started all 26 games for the Commodores last year, averaging 12.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. He recorded five double-doubles, something UNC enjoyed a lot of with Armando Bacot over the last five seasons.

Given that Lubin is 6’8″, I foresee most of his minutes at power forward, with the occasional switch over to small forward or center. This puts North Carolina in a pickle at the 4-spot, as Jae’Lyn Withers was slated to be the starter, after backing up Harrison Ingram last year.

Withers only started three games during the 2023-2024 campaign, averaging 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Lubin is an immediate upgrade, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hubert Davis use Withers and Lubin in a tandem.

Washington’s number are similar to Withers (3.9 points, 2.6 rebounds per game), but he’s a center. High played even less (0.8 points in 4.5 minutes per game), but he’ll likely play as a reserve.

To put it simply, I would be shocked if Lubin isn’t starting from Day One.

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A top UNC basketball transfer portal target stepping foot on campus today

Will Hubert Davis snag his second addition in the transfer portal today?

The North Carolina Tar Heels were lucky to only see one player depart in the college basketball transfer portal, but they haven’t enjoyed that same success with incoming players.

Some people call the transfer portal free agency for college sports, particularly with NIL money being offered to try and sway decisions. There’s fans who like the portal, but others who don’t.

I personally like the portal, in part because head UNC men’s basketball coach Hubert Davis showcasing an ability to bring in impactful transfers. He did it during his first offseason with Brady Manek, last year with Harrison Ingram and Cormac, plus recently with Cade Tyson.

North Carolina has the chance to bring in another top portal player: Vanderbilt’s Ven-Allen Lubin, whom the Tar Heels recently showed interest in and scheduled a visit with.

Lubin started all 26 games last season for the Commodores, averaging 12.3 points per game on 50% shooting, 6.3 rebounds per game and a team-high one block per game.

That visit UNC scheduled? It’s today, May 14 – and we’re hoping Lubin leaves with a scholarship offer.

If North Carolina is lucky to land Lubin, who was a rare bright spot on a Vandy team that failed to reach 10 wins, I imagine he’ll compete with Jae’Lyn Withers for the Tar Heels’ starting power forward position. Lubin has the starting experience Withers doesn’t, but Withers knows the system.

Fingers crossed for some good news this week.

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Micah Shrewsberry selected as assistant for U.S. junior national team

Congrats, Coach!

[autotag]Micah Shrewsberry[/autotag] is trying to remake Notre Dame into a winner, and he’s going through a tough road in doing so. But don’t think his coaching abilities haven’t gone unnoticed, specifically by USA Basketball. His reputation is solid, and it likely was among the many reasons he has been picked as an assistant coach for this year’s U.S. men’s junior national team.

Shrewsberry will be part of the staff to lead the U.S. during this year’s FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup, the date and location of which have yet to be determined. Leading the staff will be Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, and Shrewsberry’s fellow assistant is Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland.

This is Shrewsberry’s first experience as a coach for a U.S. national team. He was a court coach with the U19 team a year ago. That team included Vanderbilt forward Ven-Allen Lubin, who transferred from Notre Dame after one season.

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Notre Dame shuts Bowling Green down in second half for win

Another nonconference game, another win.

Don’t be fooled by this final. It looked for a while like Notre Dame was going to let another inferior opponent hang around until the end. While Mid-American Conference member Bowling Green comes from a league slightly better than the Irish’s other nonconference opponents to this point, a loss to this program at Purcell Pavilion still would have been embarrassing. Fortunately, the Irish only have to think about an 82-66 win.

Although the Irish (5-0) led for most of the game, they couldn’t seem to shake the Falcons (2-3) completely. A [autotag]Nate Laszewski[/autotag] 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer gave the Irish a two-point lead, but the Falcons’ persistence continued into the second half, and they went in front, 61-59 near the frame’s halfway point. That’s when the Irish completely took over, outscoring the Falcons, 23-5, the rest of the way. They scored their final 17 points unanswered with the Falcons not scoring again until their final possession with seconds to play.

[autotag]JJ Starling[/autotag] had the best game of his young career with 23 points, six rebounds and three steals. Laszewski was just behind with 22 points, including four 3s. [autotag]Ven-Allen Lubin[/autotag] scored 12 off the bench, and [autotag]Dane Goodwin[/autotag] added 11. [autotag]Trey Wertz[/autotag] dished out a game-high six assists.

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Notre Dame lands 2023 forward recruit Carey Booth

Finally, some size.

Notre Dame desperately has been searching for size with very little of it returning in 2023-24. [autotag]Braeden Shrewsberry[/autotag], son of coach [autotag]Micah Shrewsberry[/autotag], committed to the Irish, but he merely was the latest entry on a long list of guards they’ve had lately. Finally, the program has a new forward in [autotag]Carey Booth[/autotag], who announced his own commitment to the Irish less than 24 hours after Shrewsberry.

Booth is a four-star recruit and fourth on the list of 2023 recruits in New Hampshire. At 6-foot-10, he fills the height left by [autotag]Nate Laszewski[/autotag] and likely the young forward role left by the transferred Ven-Allen Lubin. Depending on how the rest of the roster shapes up, he could be thrust into the spotlight immediately.

Like Braeden Shrewsberry, Booth appeared headed to Penn State. Instead, he also is taking his talents to South Bend so that he’ll play for Micah Shrewsberry after all. He also previously visited Marquette and California and received offers from 13 other Division I schools.

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