Zeller Gets The Jonas Treatment

Brian Barbour on September 30th, 2009 |

14 comments - (Comments are closed)

Adam Lucas spotlights Tyler Zeller on Tar Heel Blue and passes along this little nugget concerning Zeller’s weight:

He spent the summer correcting some of the more physical details that didn’t benefit from an extended layoff. Zeller has gained 30 pounds of muscle since arriving in Chapel Hill in the summer of 2008, and he’s corrected a hitch at the top of his shot that contributed to a freshman shooting percentage of 47.2%.

He also spent time on his footwork and athleticism, although his ability to run the court was one of the first factors that attracted Roy Williams during the recruiting process. Zeller’s long strides make him the perfect finisher in the Williams tempo. Watching the Indiana native sprint the length of the court, it’s hard to imagine he used to despise running drills.

The roster now lists Zeller at 240 pounds which is up 20 pounds over last season. I have no idea what Jonas Sahratian has going on over there but based on the things Marcus Ginyard says on Twitter, it would kill most people. The extra muscle and the fact Zeller is healthy at the start of the season should make him a solid contributor. Zeller employs an effective hook shot and runs the floor extremely well for a big man, something Roy prizes in his post players. The only question I have about Zeller at this point is his defense. He struck me as a bit out of sorts on the defensive end last season which was likely combination of inexperience and the long layoff from the broken wrist. Zeller says he felt “half a second late” when returned in February which is by no means unusual for a player being thrown back into the mix that late in the season. Being seven feet tall, I think it is assumed Zeller will be more of shot blocker. I am not sure that will be the case since shot blocking is more about timing and a nose for the ball rather than sheer height. Still, with the added muscle, Zeller should be more physical in the post and hopefully a better defender.

For UNC, having Zeller step up his game would provide the Heels with a ridiculous level of depth in the interior. We know what Deon Thompson can do and we all have this barely contained excitement over what Ed Davis can do. Having a 3rd post option in Zeller would give the Heels the best frontcourt in the ACC, if not the country.

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HeelYeah

September 30, 2009 at 8:59 am

The added muscle/weight should definitely help out his post defense. Last year he got pushed around way too much, and it’s hard to play good post D if you can’t get your feet set.

TarHeelInMinny

September 30, 2009 at 10:03 am

Yes, I’m still around. Actually was able to visit Chapel Hill with my 6-year old son this summer and show him the Smith Center and tour the new museum-WOW!!!!

Shot blocking is about positioning, and freshmen have a big adjustment to make defensively in terms of positioning. Tyler may lack Ed’s athleticism and explosiveness, but he’ll certainly alter his fair share of shots. His added strength could give him some of that said explosiveness. I think, out of the returnees, he’s the most intriguing. LD is the most important, but Tyler could be a force, IMO.

Matt Privett

September 30, 2009 at 10:22 am

With the Panthers 0-3, Tar Heel basketball cannot start soon enough.

rathskellar68

September 30, 2009 at 6:00 pm

I seldom see things through rose-colored glasses, but I’m convinced Zeller is going to be a big star.

I know he was disappointing, slow and tentative at the end of last season. But that was coming off a months-long injury. At the beginning of the season, filling in for TH, he looked good — way better than all but the very best freshmen.

Zeller had the benefit of being on the team with, and playing the position occupied by, Hansbrough. He thus had the best possible example for what he needs to do to improve and what he needs to put into his game. And he strikes me as the kind of kid who will put his heart into it (as apparently he has). The physical tools are there: the height, running speed and coordination. I would be very surprised if he is not our starting center and gets the lion’s share of the PT at that position. Henson is probably a future NBA player, but his natural position is forward, and Roy is unlikely to start a freshman over an upperclassman who contributed (albeit in a way that was hampered by injury).

One of the great things about Roy is that he recruits character. More than anything, that’s why I think Zeller will blossom this year. He’s not going to be Hansbrough, but only because no one can be Hansbrough. He will be, I predict, a highly productive hustle player who will remind us of Hansbrough. If he stays beyond this year, I predict he’ll be a genuine star.

September 30, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Matt — Be of good cheer. It could be worse. Your local team could be the Washington Nats. The Panthers will only lose 10 games this year. The Nats have already lost 100.

PRGuy

September 30, 2009 at 8:57 pm

I admire Zeller and his family for their decision to return last season and not sit out for a redshirt. If he plays up to his abilities, Z won’t be around for four years anyway. I also read that Roy is recruting Zeller’s brother, or at least has shown interest. That would make 3 Zeller boys in NCAA D1. Mom and Dad must be very proud.

keithunc

September 30, 2009 at 9:24 pm

PRGuy,

What do you know about his brother? I figure if Roy is checking him out he must be pretty good.

AZACCFan

September 30, 2009 at 11:33 pm

`Even if you don’t think you have a chance, get down the court and you might find something.’

That quote from Zeller is great to hear as long as he has a place to put his 240 lbs down in control at the other end of the court!

Jordan8027

October 1, 2009 at 12:24 am

i’ve always been surprised when people question anything about zeller. not that he’s hansbrough or the next big MEGA star, but when he was on an even level of practice, conditioning, and experience at the beginning of the year, it was he who won the starting job and not ed davis. i recall ed looking very freshmen-esque early on and then coming into his own and becoming a beast. zeller never had that opportunity to mature throughout the season. i’m sure many readers are athletes, i was a college athlete at unc (okay mostly benchwarmer), and in not only myself but in my fellow classmates, the biggest difference that one makes is typically the transition from early freshman season, to late freshman season when you are now a somewhat battle tested player and have become accustom to the rigors of what big time sports are about. to ask zeller to come back in late march and think he was going to shine was too much to expect.

i agree w/ rath that this kid could be special. like, not patrick ewing or sam perkins or hakeen olajuwon dominating college centers, but in today’s game, this kid can run, has touch, can score, and is 7′ tall. i think we’re in for a huge surprise this season w/ he and davis. i know deon is our senior along w marcus to lead the team, but it’s going to be tough to keep zeller (assuming davis gets 99% of TH’s minutes) off the floor. and who knows, if Henson matures like Ed did last year, watch out, whoever said we might have the best front court in the country with those “three” (davis, zeller and deon) is not counting on henson who will be a 3/4 player with a huge wingspan who can run dribble and leap. young yes, but good we will be.

October 1, 2009 at 12:25 am

nice new design btw

October 1, 2009 at 12:35 am

KeithUNC, Cody Zeller is a 6′ 8″ junior. Scout.com has him as a 4-star prospect and a top 50 player in his class.