Returning to school paying title dividends

Keith Moreland, Waukesha, Wisc. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:13:25 GMT

Maybe better advice is to do what's best for yourself as opposed to having middle-aged white guys telling you what to do. I'm sure Tyler Hansbrough made the right choice for himself, just as I'm sure that Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose are not harboring too many regrets these days.

Returning to school paying title dividends

Michael Schmidt, Dayton, Ohio — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:32:58 GMT

I am kind of sick of hearing about how these guys came back. The truth is only Hansbrough would have been a first rounder. Green was and still is pretty raw. Lawson is short and last year couldn't shoot a lick. Ellington is a great shooter but at 6'4 he has to be a point guard in teh NBA, something he can not handle.

They came back because they were not first rounders not because of some team goal. If any one of them had been told they were a lottery pick they would have left. See Brandon Wright tat UNC previously.

Returning to school paying title dividends

Lorenzo Ferguson, Dale City VA — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:35:13 GMT

It's definitely a case by case decision. For Lawson, Green and Ellington I do believe the additional year helped tremendously, especially Lawson. The additional time also helped Hansborough develop a 15 foot jumper. Green, can play the two at the next level, and shooting is always a premium in any league (Ellington). In the NBA, having a one-on-one game is a must. Rose, Beasley, Durant have all excelled.

Returning to school paying title dividends

Michael Zachary, Chapel Hill, NC — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:05:37 GMT

I undoubtedly am partial to UNC, and I will not argue that most players return because their draft status is not as they desire, but I will vouch for Hansbrough. Being a student for 4 years now, I have seen the guy evolve throughout his college career. It's no secret that people question his potential as an NBA player, but he wanted that title. He needed that title. It was the last piece of the puzzle, and he wasn't going to quit until he got it.

I had my doubts this year about the players returning. I figured it would be a competition to better their draft statuses and chemistry would suffer as a result. I was absolutely proven wrong. Roy even said he couldn't be happier with how we acted as a team.