UNC's Press Conference at ACC Tipoff

[BenSherman]

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for posting this for us. Go Heels!

 

[3397char]

Coach Banghart:

• We are faster and longer
• Noted three transfers from within the conference - people want to play in Carmichael
• The goal is the Final Four and that drives scheduling.
• The triangle rivalries is an asset to the state and for UNC
• ACC is underappreciated - pointed out we had 5 in the S16. You have to have a complete team to win in the ACC.

ACC All-Freshman Nyla Brooks:

• Called UNC basically a whole new team
• Thinks chemistry will be good
• Asked to name a returner who has grown she singled out Blanca Thomas - "She will be key for us this year." Akot agreed.

HM All-Big XII Achol Akot:

• My defense drives my offense.
• Offense: I am a long guard, can score downhill, ambidextrous, put pressure on the rim
• I can guard 1 through 5.
• Asked to name a newcomer who will surprise she singled out Sophie Burrows - has grown in particular in how she plays in the paint

 

[23UNC]

The Blanca info is very good to hear.

 

[6string]

Been watching these interviews all day and you guys have captured the big stuff but a few other interesting tidbits.
CB: Blanca is finally completely healthy and improved. Apparently she was never totally comfortable last year.
AA: confirmed Kate is the fastest player on the team
Everyone: Gabby is a great athlete. Strong and can get up to the rim.

I’m getting excited for the season to start!

 

[3397char]

 

[volleyballer1]

Not to be that person....but Blanca looks way more fit this year....its obvious she has been in the gym working hard and not sedentary due to injury.

I am excited to see a 2 headed monster possibly in Toomey and Thomas.

 

[KenbudUNC]

Super excited about this team!!! Love the flexibility with positions.

 

[kystroup]

Not sure if everyone saw this availability.

-Kate had shoulder surgery after the MCD game. Full go now and CB is very impressed by how quickly her talent is translating.
-CB said we not only needed more athleticism, but better decision making at the guard spots.
-Reiterated Blanca looks better and that she had a major injury that she never fully recovered from last season

-Got asked a bunch of inane questions not pertinent to the team. I would have lost my patience.

 

[3397char]

Tons of detailed info in this interview:

We all suspected Blanca was injured after some oblique references to it in the early season last year, even after she missed much of the offseason. Nice to finally have it confirmed.

Other comments she made -

• More people who can create their own shot when we need a bucket.
• Nyla Brooks is more physically stronger. Her PT went up last year when she got better defensively.
• Harpring's game is translating to an ACC level immediately. Versatility stands out. Competitiveness is off the charts and she guards 94 ft.
• implied that Akot will start, but could be at the 4 or the 5. but she can play the 3 as well. who plays the 4 or 5 is more of a defensive assignment issue as the offense is more position-less. Toomey can also play the 4 or 5.
• Burrows can play the 2, 3 or 4.
• Blanca has gotten better. Her tone implied that there is a competition still in play as to how much she will play; has to earn it among other competitors.
• Our top players, as a group, are the best we've had. ( In the Banghart era). we have an elite top group and that top group is more than 5.
• She does not fill an entire roster of 15 just on the principle of it. She fills needs, and when the needs are filled your are done. Also basically said that if she took a 15thm, that is less money she can then use for others. Not sure if the implication was that we used our entire budget this year on the 4 transfers we did land, or if she was somehow saving for the future. (me editorializing: Probably a little bit of both unless you are talking about a 5th year senior who would have only come in for one year.)
• Along those lines, they chose not to pursue a 5th year ineligible player who would need to win a court case. Decided that the uncertainty created risk to team chemistry and practice cohesion.
• Akot only visited us and then made her decision. because we were able to show her exactly how and why we needed her now.
• Clardy is a ball handling combo guard; can play the 1 or the 2.
• Gabby is a dynamic athlete, very powerful. Elite defender. Had to play outside of her best role last year because the ball had to go through All-star Kymorah Johnson for obvious reasons.
• Zubich currently in a boot but should be cleared by season's start. Practice injury.

 

[tarboy]

Thanks for the write up 3397. I watched it on YouTube but your synopsis picks up a few things I missed.

So ready to see this team in action. IMO we are at least 7 deep maybe 9 or 10

CB also said iirc that Kate was a true 3 level threat scorer. AA said Kate was the fastest on the team..

 

[Jriv23]

Tons of detailed info in this interview:

We all suspected Blanca was injured after some oblique references to it in the early season last year, even after she missed much of the offseason. Nice to finally have it confirmed.

Other comments she made -

• More people who can create their own shot when we need a bucket.
• Nyla Brooks is more physically stronger. Her PT went up last year when she got better defensively.
• Harpring's game is translating to an ACC level immediately. Versatility stands out. Competitiveness is off the charts and she guards 94 ft.
• implied that Akot will start, but could be at the 4 or the 5. but she can play the 3 as well. who plays the 4 or 5 is more of a defensive assignment issue as the offense is more position-less. Toomey can also play the 4 or 5.
• Burrows can play the 2, 3 or 4.
• Blanca has gotten better. Her tone implied that there is a competition still in play as to how much she will play; has to earn it among other competitors.
• Our top players, as a group, are the best we've had. ( In the Banghart era). we have an elite top group and that top group is more than 5.
• She does not fill an entire roster of 15 just on the principle of it. She fills needs, and when the needs are filled your are done. Also basically said that if she took a 15thm, that is less money she can then use for others. Not sure if the implication was that we used our entire budget this year on the 4 transfers we did land, or if she was somehow saving for the future. (me editorializing: Probably a little bit of both unless you are talking about a 5th year senior who would have only come in for one year.)
• Along those lines, they chose not to pursue a 5th year ineligible player who would need to win a court case. Decided that the uncertainty created risk to team chemistry and practice cohesion.
• Akot only visited us and then made her decision. because we were able to show her exactly how and why we needed her now.
• Clardy is a ball handling combo guard; can play the 1 or the 2.
• Gabby is a dynamic athlete, very powerful. Elite defender. Had to play outside of her best role last year because the ball had to go through All-star Kymorah Johnson for obvious reasons.
• Zubich currently in a boot but should be cleared by season's start. Practice injury.

Did you not listen to the women's ACC that was done in Charlotte on Monday and Tuesday. Akot will be starting at the four. CB and Akot both said she can guard 1 through 5. Kitley stated that she cannot wait to see AKot play. Also, CB stated that Gabby was the most athletic on the team. CB stated that she touches the rim with the ball in her hands. The women's ACC crew stated that they cannot wait to see how high Gabby can jump.

 

[tarboy]

Wonder if Gabby can dunk? We all saw Noelle Bofia stuff it one handed. It would be cool if we had more than one.

 

[Jriv23]

Wonder if Gabby can dunk? We all saw Noelle Bofia stuff it one handed. It would be cool if we had more than one.

I agree. Of course the women at the ACC preview in Charlotte were taking about wanting to see Toby F dunk in a game for Duke.

 

[3397char]

Did you not listen to the women's ACC that was done in Charlotte on Monday and Tuesday. Akot will be starting at the four. CB and Akot both said she can guard 1 through 5. Kitley stated that she cannot wait to see AKot play. Also, CB stated that Gabby was the most athletic on the team. CB stated that she touches the rim with the ball in her hands. The women's ACC crew stated that they cannot wait to see how high Gabby can jump.

This may come as a surprise, but I watch/read/listen to everything UNC WBB I can find.

If you are referring to the stage interview that is the first post of this thread, Banghart does not say anything about Achol starting. In fact she does not talk about her at all.

I did state earlier that the fact that Akot, a transfer, was invited to represent UNC at this press event is as good an indication as any she would start. That and she was HM All-Big XII last year, so she is a pretty good bet. 63% FG% and plus defender.

my post you quoted is a summary of what Banghart said in this particular interview. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[3397char]

Wonder if Gabby can dunk? We all saw Noelle Bofia stuff it one handed. It would be cool if we had more than one.

I believe Charlotte Smith is the shortest ever to dunk in a game, college or pros. she was 6 ft. If Gabby White could do it at 5' 10", that would be a first.

I'm sure there have been 5'10" women who could dunk in practice, but exceedingly rare.

Given the average reach of a 5 ft 10 in woman, she would need around a 34" - 38" vertical to dunk. The vast majority of D1 caliber players can't clear 24"

Smith reportedly had a 32" vertical. She had those David Thompson genes.

A different Gabby, Gabby Williams, probably has the best vertical in the W right now at 34", though that stat is not collected for the women's game like it is for the men's. Gabby is 5' 11". She has never dunked in a game on any level.

 

[tarboy]

Thanks 3397. Considering your thoughts I doubt dunking is likely for Gabby. Getting up to snatch rebounds might might be the best bet for us to see Gabby fly high in a game at her height. Still hoping Noelle will dunk in a game this year.

 

[6string]

If I recall correctly CB said Gabby could “get to the rim” but did not say she could dunk it. I think she would have said so if she could but guess we will find out.