Larry Drew Transferring?

[Tim1515]

http://bustersports.com/blog/buster-...ion-was-today/

[CameronBornAndBred]

http://bustersports.com/blog/buster-...ion-was-today/

Kick his azz, Greg!

[DukeGirl4ever]

This is very interesting given the fact that there are 2 weeks left in the season.

[Kedsy]

This is very interesting given the fact that there are 2 weeks left in the season.

Well, the article says "if" the decision were made today he'd transfer but makes clear it won't be made until after the season at the earliest. This may simply be a case of frustration talking. I'll be surprised (but I guess not shocked) if he transfers.

[DukeGirl4ever]

Well, the article says "if" the decision were made today he'd transfer but makes clear it won't be made until after the season at the earliest. This may simply be a case of frustration talking. I'll be surprised (but I guess not shocked) if he transfers.

Yea, I saw the "if" statement, but I just find it odd that there is talk about it now...where there is smoke, there is fire, so I think something must have been said by Drew for this to come out. Of course, I'm up here in good ol' PA and have not a clue...

Thinks must be worse than we all thought in Chapel Hill.

[shoutingncu]

This may simply be a case of frustration talking. I'll be surprised (but I guess not shocked) if he transfers.

This was my thought, too. Chapel Hill is like playing in prison, after all...

[JasonEvans]

I found this part the most surprising--

But our sources have also indicated that Drew is extremely unhappy in Chapel Hill and that his parents are involved with the program in "an unhealthy way" which certainly hasn't endeared him to Roy and which is what will likely facilitate him getting out of town.

Larry Drew's father is a coach (asst on the Atlanta Hawks). As busy as he is with NBA games, I am surprised he has time to meddle in goings on in Chapel Hill. I am also surprised that a guy who coaches (and who has probably dealt with more than a few difficult parents in his time) would become one of those "difficult parents."

Then again, as a coach LD may see some of the horrid, messy coaching going on in Chapel Hill this year and may be talking to Roy to give him some advice.

I wonder if Roy's resposne was, "I've been offered 11 or 12 NBA jobs... how many have you been offered, Larry?"

Silence.

"Yeah, I thought so."

--Jason "the conversation about the struggles of Kendall Marshall just took on more urgency" Evans

[Rudy]

Would this really be a big loss for them? Drew has been disparaged here and elsewhere.

[freedevil]

I hope this isn't true. I enjoy his on-court performance very much.

[HateCarolina]

I hope this isn't true. I enjoy his on-court performance very much.

Awesome!! I missed this comment the first time around. Bravo!!!

[JayBean]

If the reports are true and he is unhappy with the coaching, then all parties are probably better off going their separate ways. I thought that he was a decent guard; from a pure talent/experience standpoint, this would be a loss.

[BlueintheFace]

Would this really be a big loss for them? Drew has been disparaged here and elsewhere.

I believe it would be an enormous loss. LDII has all of the tools needed to be a great PG in the ACC. He just finished his first year with significant time and managed pretty decent numbers with ZERO go-to scorers on the team. It is just a matter of pulling it all together IMO.

I do not believe Kendall Marshall has the foot speed/athleticism to be an elite ACC PG and he doesn't even have a pull up three to make up for it. His recruitment reminds me somewhat of Paulus'.

Additionally, UNC would have just one PG next season, a freshman.

[OldSchool]

I believe it would be an enormous loss. LDII has all of the tools needed to be a great PG in the ACC. He just finished his first year with significant time and managed pretty decent numbers with ZERO go-to scorers on the team. It is just a matter of pulling it all together IMO.

I do not believe Kendall Marshall has the foot speed/athleticism to be an elite ACC PG and he doesn't even have a pull up three to make up for it. His recruitment reminds me somewhat of Paulus'.

Additionally, UNC would have just one PG next season, a freshman.

I agree it would be a huge hit to UNC. And if Ed Davis is wavering at all in whether to go pro, then one would have to think this would seal it.

All of the pressure would be on Zeller, Henson and Barnes working with a lesser supporting cast around them to bring back Tar Heel glory, and that will be a tall task.

[roywhite]

I believe it would be an enormous loss. LDII has all of the tools needed to be a great PG in the ACC. He just finished his first year with significant time and managed pretty decent numbers with ZERO go-to scorers on the team. It is just a matter of pulling it all together IMO.

I just don't see LD 2 as being a "great PG in the ACC". He's a sophomore who saw some time last year and has started every game this year. His numbers include:

8.8 pts/game
1.8 asst/turnover
65% FT
less than 1 steal per game

Opposing players tend to score very well against him. He seems to have some quickness and speed, but opposing teams play him for the pass when he drives as he does not get to the rim very well.

Perhaps he would be better with some other talent around him, but at this point he looks like an ordinary point guard on a second-division ACC team...not a guy who will take them to any title, even with more talent.

Not surprising to hear of some turmoil in the locker room.

[InSpades]

If Drew II leaves and Davis goes pro then UNC will lose 4 starters for the 2nd year in a row. Losing 4 starters off of a bad team... their freshmen better be ready to play from game 1 or it could be another long season in Chapel Hill.

I don't think Drew II will be a "great PG" but losing him would definitely be a significant loss.

[Neals384]

DO NCAA rules allow a player to transfer before his Frosh year? Barnes must be thinking what a mnistake he's made...

[ivydevil]

Is Barnes officially signed on with UNC, or can he retract his commitment like Miles did from Stanford? Wouldn't that be the same?

[chrisheery]

He signed a lette of intent. That ship has sailed.

[roywhite]

He signed a letter of intent. That ship has sailed.

It's really remarkable how circumstances have changed since that time. It was mid-November and the defending National Champion Tarheels were just starting another season. Although they had lost several key members of the 2009 team, they were ranked as high as #4 nationally and tied for the #1 spot in the ACC with Duke in preseason voting.

The Heels got a commitment from Barnes, ranked by many as the #1 prospect in the high class of 2010, after a lengthy recruiting battle with Duke and others.

3 1/2 months later...
The Heels are 14-14, 3-10 in the conference and likely to miss the NCAA tournament.
Coach Roy Williams has been all over the news for his poor coaching and poor reaction to the downturn.
There are rumors of players being unhappy and leaving the program.
Home attendance and fan support have dropped
Fans are wondering aloud if Barnes has other options...

In the mean time, their rivals 8 miles away have put together a terrific season, lead the ACC, and are in contention for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

What a story. Who woulda thunk it...

[David]

Although fun to read as a Duke fan, hard to know what to make of the LDII story given that it is basically a blog post based on unnamed sources. I can believe there are disgruntled players on UNC (losing always breeds discontent), but I am not holding my breath on a LDII transfer.