Maybe thats because they arent lottery material

I agree that all three could use some improvement. This year just is not a favorable draft for all three. Hansbrough has to contend with Love, Both Lopez's, Ryan Anderson, Jordan and thats just to name a few. There are a number of players who are bigger, taller and stronger and unfortunately nba execs look at body before mind. My guess is Hnsbrough would slip to the 2nd round more than likely.

Ellington is simply too frail, I know he put on some weight this season and got more involved with driving to the basket and rebounding however he may likely need to put on another 5-10 lbs. Also he is still extremely streaky and needs to learn how to create his own shot more effectively.

Lawson in my opinion is the least prepared, he's jet fast but not overly creative with the ball, his speed gives him opportunities that won't be there in the NBA. His shot is improving but not reliable. Lastly his is 5-11, and with players like rose, bayless and mayo and gordon in the draft, his chances of going in the first round are not guarunteed. The game against Kansas did not fare well for all three, partly affecting their stock.

as far as the "hype" comments, i guess hansbrough has been "hype" since his freshman year.  what doesn't make that comment valid is that he's put up relatively the same numbers in each of his college seasons.  so, "hype"... i think not.

hansbrough is the only one of the 3 that should even consider leaving only because he's the more consistent player offensively, but in reality, they should all stay.  the money is available now, but waiting it out will only increase the chances of a better draft selection and a bigger paycheck later.  don't make the same mistake as brandan wright or joe forte or the laundry list of other heels who made the jump too early.  i guess guys think that since they wear the unc jerseys they're all the next jordan but it just doesn't happen that way.  stay in school, get your education, and let the future take care of itself.

just a sidenote, there's always the talk of a career ending injury that would end a player's chances of ever playing in the nba.  what kind of injury has anyone witnessed that is career ending?  i've seen guys go down with a torn acl, which ends your season, but as far as i can remember or can think of, i can't think of someone whose career was ended due to an injury.  anyone know of someone or some injury?

OK, I knew this would get it started again, thats why I prefaced it with "I'm sorry".

I like the tarheels team, I really do, I like the way Hansbrough plays and I agree with the line of thinking that he will be a player in the NBA for a long time, not a star player but a player.

The facts remain;

1) The tarheels were overrated all year long, they were #1 75% of the year and lost in the Final Four.

2) The tarheels dont have as high quality (NBA) players as other schools in the country did, particularly the schools in the Final Four, who had lottery material.

3) Going back to the story, where I made the point that, "it's as if they are doing the NBA a favor", granted...I'll give you, I read into the tone of the article.  Maybe I shouldnt have done that.  Bottom line, are they lottery picks or not, if so, they go (like Wright last year), if not, they are not sure.  I'm so tired of hearing Roy beat around the bush, THEY ARENT LOTTERY PICKS.  Just say it.  Thats what makes this decision hard, because they arent lottery picks.  UNC didnt have any lottery picks this year on their team.   Like I said, "I'm sorry, its just the truth".  If your not a lottery pick, your doing it for yourself, not for the NBA, the NBA wants the talent that comes from lottery picks, they are looking for starters, not role players or backups.

This is the most ridiculous conversation.  Last time I looked a run to the Final Four was a pretty good year.  Did the Heels have weaknesses?  Absolutely.  Were they an overrated team?  Hell no.  Didn't show up against Kansas, flat out.  And Kansas is too good of a team to do that against.  They deserved to lose that game.

I hope all three guys return next year, but I wouldn't fault any of them for going.  I do believe all of them could improve their draft status by returning.  Lots of $$$$ waiting out there no matter where you get drafted.  Think about it if they do return:

Lawson, Ellington, Ginyard, Thompson, Hansbrough

Green, Frasor, Drew, Graves, Stephenson, Davis, Zeller

Forget about it!