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VAHokie89 OP
Apr 13, 2026 at 02:51 PM ET
Curious question about Avdalas to UNC
We have heard/read that it was a failed experiment, that Young gave him the reins but then we read the dreaded analyis "it was not a good fit." My first question was it really not a good fit? We often say that after the fact when things go wrong. For example, when a regular student transfers, they often say "Alabama wasn't a good fit" when more often than not it was not about not being a good fit, it was more about something going wrong, i.e. the student got sick, got home sick, failed, struggled, etc. To me, Avadalas could have been a good/fine fit. My other question, is the fact that he went to UNC or if he does well at UNC, more a sign that he was not properly used or properly coached? This is not a broadside at Coach Young and his staff.... But it is a legit question, it won't be just that UNC thinks they can fix him. Did we give him too much freedom to start the year? Player can play in a system and Malone will have a system. It won't be just be let Avdalas do whatever he wants. So, if he does well at UNC, will it be more about that he was not used properly here or not coached well not to avoid the things that made VT "not a good fit" And was his "failed experiment" simply a failure only because the entire team failed to get to NCAA? We know that injuries affected that, with Tyler Johnson being out so much. Imagine we don't have injuries. Imagine we don't implode on some last seconds of game...and we win some more games to make the NCAA. Would just a team-drive success then dictate that it was not a failed experiment? Because he was sat for the final stretch of minutes against Wake Forest...does that mean it was a failed experiment or that he could have played and helped but the coach made a decision?

17 Replies

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JM397
3mo
Was his effectiveness impacted by his injury and starting ACC play?
** Edited by JM397 at 4/13/2026, 6:00:39 PM
V
VTCALS72
3mo
IMHO VT was not a good fit
because we needed him to be THE guy. That was not coaching or scheme, it was just allocation of resources. UNC will need him to be #5 or first off the bench. The same Neo we had would have been fine if the opposing Defensives had worry more about 2-3 other players ahead of him. Thing is just like with Baker on the Womens side, they each had to play a higher/different role.
chumley chumley
3mo
…true. we need guys who can score baskets
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LonghornHokie
3mo
It was reported that part of the Neo deal was that he got to play PG
and essentially be first scoring option, so the whole scheme was developed and based on his own 'demands'.
J
jboyhokie
3mo
PG and a significant amount of playing time, as I recall. This can be
confirmed by searching earlier posts around the time he was being recruited. True? I really don't know, but mentioned on several occasions.
V
VTCALS72
3mo
"it was reported" what does that mean?
About the same as "IMHO"
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LonghornHokie
3mo
He said it himself.
I don't recall the other places it showed up. Good enough?
M
ModerateHokie
3mo
This type of analysis made sense pre-NIL. The game has changed. These guys
are low level pros in every sense of the word now. NCAA is truly now the NBA developmental league. It's 110% about money now. Nothing more. Don't read any more than that into anything.
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Vippie1
3mo
UNC doesn't need to "fix" him
although he will almost assuredly get better and stronger. They will surround himself with talent all over the court and let him do the things he does best. No one will be gameplanninng to shut down Neo. No one in Chapel Hill will be expecting him to carry the team.
4dhokies 4dhokies
3mo
We've entered an age when a $4M player isn't expected to carry the team.
I agree with you but that is just nuts.
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Vippie1
3mo
Certifiably Insane
H
HokieNL
3mo
Seth! Still hanging around these boards?!
M
ModerateHokie
3mo
college basketball is dead
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lazarus1
3mo
if he succeeds at NC
it probably means two things: much more favorable calls by officials (see Rev Zeke's post below), and he is much better coached there than by CMY's staff.
Italian Stallion Italian Stallion
3mo
I believe Zeke's post was "tongue in cheek". My post, which he was making
fun of, talked of the officiating bias he will now receive while wearing baby blue
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JACHokies
3mo
I think it is possible for him to succeed based purely on more talent
around him and likely can be made to look better based on that alone. So there will be less pressure on him individually and may also be paired with less freedom/more consequnces for poor shot selection/defense.
A
ancient alien 2018
3mo
Better coached? Please explain