Originally Posted by
Forrest
In 2011, Vanderbilt earned a 5 seed in the NCAA tournament and finished 23-11. In 2012, they returned their entire starting five, including three likely late first/early second round draft picks in John Jenkins, Festus Ezeli, and Jeff Taylor. The Commodores were a trendy top 10 pick before the season, seventh in both major preseason polls.
They did beat national champion Kentucky to win the SEC tournament, but still earned a 5 seed, lost in the round of 32 to 4 seed Wisconsin, and finished 25-11. They were only a tiny bit better in 2012 than in 2011.
Sure, UNC gets Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson and Justin Jackson back, as well as their other two starters. Like 2012 Vandy, though, that doesn't guarantee they'll be significantly better, or better at all. Those three could stay at UNC for six years and still not be able to compete with the Okafors and Winslows of the college world. Ol' Roy is recruiting 4-star type players, and I think he's going to end up with 4-star type teams.