UNC's 3 Sophs - article from Andy Katz

UNC trio ready to put Doherty days behind 'em

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By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Sean May, Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton weren't together this past week, opting instead to show allegiances to their high school sneaker companies at the summer's two high-profile camps. But it's the last time the trio anticipates any division at North Carolina in the coming year.

The three heralded members of the Tar Heels' 2002 freshmen class and the cornerstone of the program for next season were candid about their renewed focus at putting UNC back in the NCAA Tournament under new coach Roy Williams. Sure, there is still some bitterness from the Matt Doherty era, at least from May and McCants, but the position from the three is to move ahead.

"There's a lot more excitement and anticipation," McCants said at the Nike camp in Indianapolis. "We're eager to see what's going to happen and have the program move forward."

McCants said he was never close to transferring, despite rumors to the contrary during last season. He admitted there were a few Heels who considered the move, but he wasn't one of them. His goal remains to see his name in the rafters of the Smith Center when his career is over.

But McCants did take a jab at Doherty by saying if the coach had remained in charge, "I'd deal with it." McCants said playing for Doherty wasn't hard, but it was "uncomfortable." He added that some players felt more respected than others.

He also said North Carolina chancellor James Moeser and the athletic director Dick Baddour approached team members about Doherty.

Felton, meanwhile, was at the adidas camp in New Jersey this week. And he was quick to defend Doherty and his staff, saying "they weren't bad guys. I loved them. They were all cool with me."

May said the previous coaching staff was laid back -- a stark contrast to the public persona put on Doherty, who is considered more intense than most head coaches. May said the new coaching staff was all business and that Williams "jumped on us about grades and work ethic, and it's been great since he's been there. Everyone has a positive attitude."

May, however, does have an issue with being asked to return for a one-game appearance in the ACC tournament. May, who broke his foot last season against Iona on Dec. 27, was averaging nearly a double-double at the time of his injury. He sat out the rest of the regular season, but the 6-8 power forward returned for the ACC semifinals against Duke. He played 10 minutes and scored only four points.

May, who was just cleared to play full speed last week and was doing high intensity drills during the Nike camp, said he was off the court for seven weeks after the season. He now admits he shouldn't have played in the one game.

"Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have done it," May said. "They (the coaches) kept telling me we would have a chance to get to the NCAAs. But knowing what I know now about my foot, I wouldn't have done it."

Former North Carolina assistant and present Marshall assistant Bob MacKinnon disputed May's accounts while at the adidas camp last week. He said the staff never told May that he had to play for the Tar Heels to get in the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels weren't a realistic bubble team (17-14 before the Duke game) and ended up in the NIT, making it to the third round before losing to Georgetown.

Still, May contends that had he not played in the one game then he would have had a chance to get a medical redshirt from this season. But May had already played in 10 games before the Duke game, which was past a third of the regular-season allotment of 28 games. If the NCAA considers the postseason, May would have a shot to get a redshirt because he would have played in under 10 percent of his games. But usually the NCAA doesn't allow a player to play past New Year's Eve and still receive a medical redshirt.

MacKinnon said North Carolina investigated his attempt at a redshirt and found May wouldn't have received one. May said he is appealing the decision and waiting to hear the outcome. May is considered a possible NBA draft pick in the coming years and likely won't last four or even five years in college.

Nevertheless, May's departure from the lineup, when the Tar Heels were 7-3, disrupted the chemistry created early in the 2002-03 season.

"We lost our hunger," McCants said. "We lost our hunger for winning and mellowed out. We lost six or seven straight games (actually five) and we had guys who weren't used to losing. But we're more mature now and we expect to be in the NCAAs."

But it won't be all about the sophomores in 2003. All three second-year players said junior Jawad Williams should be the team's breakout star next season. Williams was a subordinate headline player to McCants (17 ppg), Felton (12.9 ppg) and May. But Williams was the second-leading scorer with 14.9 points a game.

"A lot of people will be surprised by Jawad," May said. "He is underrated for what he does and the way he contributes. (Sophomore forward) David Noel could also be the missing piece."

Most of the team hung around Chapel Hill prior to July and most intend on getting together in August. May, McCants and Felton chose summer school and Chapel Hill over USA Basketball. Felton was also getting to know the latest Tar Heel when Roy Williams snagged a big-time recruit in 6-7 forward Marvin Williams out of Bremerton, Wash.

Despite last year's struggles, Marvin Williams said he wanted to be a part of North Carolina and had always dreamed of playing in Chapel Hill. It's the same story when it comes to Felton, McCants and May. Each guaranteed a return to the Big Dance in 2004.

The school made a coaching change. Now it's up to these three to live up to their proclamations.

 

for once in his life, he was not the center of a coach's attention . I still think Doh is a good coach and got shafted.

these players had better produce now, or they will have an omlette on their face.

 

Yeah Metro and how many UNCC players had as good a season as McCants?

 

He's the only one of the three who is not a bitch.

 

Re: Re: UNC's 3 Sophs - article from Andy Katz

I have a real problem with the way that McCants acted last year when told to play defense, so I ain't gonna defend him too much. But what in the world has Sean May done? He says most of the things that were attributed to him never happened - and it seems like the biggest problem was his dad.

I think that he should have come back for the Duke game - cause I really thought we could win it with him. After it wsa apparent that there was no way in hell we were gonna - he was put back on the bench. All he is saying now is if he knew everything about his foot that he knows now he never would have played - I don't really think that makes him a bitch.

I do think Felton is special though - if he can get any kind of consistent outside shot - he will be one of the greats in ACC history.

 

some freshman named Rodney White was a lottery pick from the 49ers two years ago.

 

Oh two years ago, what about last year? And what exactly has he done since that pick?

Shooting about 40% in the NBA and averaged 9.0 pts a game his second year.

 

Brad Daugherty was drafted number 1... know how this has relevence?? #1 it was in the past on both cases... #2 Neither are making a difference in the NBA right now

 

I love to watch these guys reach. I guess Metro isn't old enough to mention how good Cornbread was...

 

Guys, I have heard about some the things Doherty did to his players and no matter what those guys say now, Doherty was flat out wrong. He doesn't have the temperment to be in charge, period. You will see a different UNC team this season - just because of Roy and the attitude adjustment he will make.

Doherty didn't get shafted. He wasn't the man for the job. Plain and simple.