Not as good as the last one which was silver. Team USA finished up the World University Games by defeating Israel 90-81. Thompson had seven points and six rebounds in the win. Through ten games in his stint with Team USA, Thompson averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg. Obviously we have long concluded that Thompson’s performance in international play has little to no bearing on how he will perform playing in the ACC for UNC. Especially when one considers the rule differences and the fact Thompson’s team was being coached by a guy who thinks scoring 70 points in a game is considered up-tempo.
Undoubted Thompson is anxious to get a break and perhaps return to Chapel Hill to get in on the summer pickup games. I expect he will be wondering what happened to Tyler Zeller who apparently has put on 20 plus pounds since the end of the season.
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Has he really added 20 pounds or is there a little hyperbole in there? I only ask because the prospect of a bigger Tyler Zeller has me extremely excited.
There is reliable info I have seen that says Zeller went from 215 to 240.
THF, you just made my Monday much easier to deal with.
If Zeller hasn’t been playing, I can imagine that putting on weight wouldn’t be an issue for him. He must have a big appetite! Combine that with a propensity to not do anything that requires a lot of running or cardio, there is your 25 pounds. The only reason I say that is because he has shown us in his playing time that he is kind of lethargic around the basket, thus some of that may reflect in his day-to-day activities. I will take the weight in any form. Additional weight may make him harder to stop in the post, which is always good for us.
Well, his lethargy may have also stemmed from being overly cautious with his wrist. Anyone coming off a serious injury can tell you there are some mental obstacles to overcome in that situation.
Let’s also remember that muscle weighs twice as much as fat. So those 25 pounds could quite easily be muscle. Esp. with the way the UNC strength and conditioning staff operates. That possibility is what has me excited. A 7′ semi-muscular, beefy guy who can jump would certainly exorcise the demons of Cole Aldrich. (That is, what few demons remained after April 6 of this year)
I think he has been doing it the right way. Remember he was cleared to play in late February. It has been five months, 3.5 of which have been after the season. I think he has been training hard and the weight gain is the right kind.
let’s hope so THF
Don’t worry. If the weight is the wrong kind then it will be gone as soon as practice gets underway, Roy will see to that!
As skinny as he was, ANY kind of 20 pounds is a good 20 pounds.
If he turns out to be as fundamental with good hands around the basket, ability to play defense, and smart as Cole Aldrich, I will be a very happy camper!!!
20 pounds of McD’s big macs or triple-decker quarter pounder is not a good 20 pounds. OK for a rising sophomore, but not for a rising sophomore with designs to start next season.
Anyone check his hat size?? heh heh (one of the purported tells on all those MLB “raging roiders” that neither Bud Selig or Donald Fehr bothered to properly address). but i digress
if you recall, several noted Zeller’s size increase from beginning to end last year. this kid is going to be a stud imo.
good stuff coming out of Ginyard’s mouth in the N & O. Roy is fortunate to have another team leader like this. If Marcus puts money where mouth is, this is gonna be another great season!
I see on ESPN that Hansbrough’s Pacer team went 5-0 in Orlando and he was named first team. In those 5 games he shot 48 free throws and made 41. So I guess his game might translate to the League.
This weekend we happened to be in Las Vegas and just happened to attend NBA summer league on Saturday. We saw Danny and Jawad Williams play very good games. I think Danny had 16 points and Jawad 15 points. While there we also saw Pat Sullivan who is an assitant coach for Detroit. Rashad McCants walked right in front of us but didn’t acknowledge our hellos. I got Danny”s autograph and had my picture taken with him. I thanked him for all of the memories and wished him luck in the NBA And yes I was the oldest one in line for an autograph and I didn’t even care. I just wanted to thank Danny.
As if that wasn’t enough Tar Heel heaven, who should get on our plane to DFW but George Lynch! Hubby recognized him but couldn’t come up with his name so I looked and asked. I felt like I had gone to Tar Heel heaven. Anyway, we met him again as we changed planes at DFW. He was EXTREMELY cordial and nice. He said he had seen Zeller recently and was really impressed with him and thought the Heels would have a really good year.
If you ever get a chance to attend NBA summer league I highly recommend it. Our tickets were only $15 each, we got there early and had court side seats. We saw NBA greats I never thought I would be lucky enough to see especially up close. BTW, I am glad Austin Daye from Gonzaga didn’t play against us like he played in Vegas. He was really awesome. Also, we saw Deron Washington (Va. Tech). I was told he played overseas last year. He was Very strong and athletic.
And that’s the story of our MOST EXCELLENT Tar Heel trip to Vegas. I think I hit the jackpot!
great story D-thanks! I figured Daye would be good.
“Rashad McCants walked right in front of us but didn’t acknowledge our hellos.”
…imagine that–whoda thunk it?
D, I’m extremely jealous of you right now.
I wish I could just “happen” to be in Vegas….great story
Does anyone wonder if we will ever see another team as dominant as the ’09 team? The stats are awesome. Only trailed by a little over 10 minutes in the entire NCAA tournament and beat every opponent by at least 12? As Danny said “did you see how we did it?” I am still amazed.