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
J
JM397
3mo
** Edited by JM397 at 4/13/2026, 6:00:39 PM
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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VTCALS72
3mo
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.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
3mo
and essentially be first scoring option, so the whole scheme was developed and based on his own 'demands'.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
3mo
confirmed by searching earlier posts around the time he was being recruited. True? I really don't know, but mentioned on several occasions.
(In response to this post by LonghornHokie)
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VTCALS72
3mo
About the same as "IMHO"
(In response to this post by LonghornHokie)
3mo
I don't recall the other places it showed up.
Good enough?
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
3mo
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.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
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Vippie1
3mo
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.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
3mo
I agree with you but that is just nuts.
(In response to this post by Vippie1)
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lazarus1
3mo
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.
(In response to this post by VAHokie89)
3mo
fun of, talked of the officiating bias he will now receive while wearing baby blue
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
3mo
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.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)