UNC HC Hubert Davis claims fans “won’t recognize” Elliot Cadeau in his sophomore season
Elliot Cadeau enjoyed a strong freshman season with North Carolina. After reclassifying from the Class of 2024 to the Class of 2023, he emerged as an assist machine, making history in the 2023-24 season with his ball distribution skills.
While his passing excellence was evident, his shooting became a weakness that came to the forefront. However, it is an aspect that Cadeau has worked hard on during the offseason, per Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis.
In an appearance on "The Field of 68" podcast network amid his duties during ACC Media Day, Davis hyped up his star guard, believing he will be a completely different player in his sophomore season.
"You won't recognize him," said Davis. "He's so talented. He can't shoot the ball, and the way defenses were playing him last year, it could play tricks with you a little bit.
"Nothing mechanical wrong with his shot. He's worked extremely hard this summer, he's consistently knocking down threes, mid-range jump shots. The level that I've seen is just a progression of the maturity and the leadership. It's just off the chart, that's why you won't recognize him."
Per Davis, Elliot Cadeau driven by Tar Heels' Sweet 16 exit
Davis also applauded the mentality Cadeau possesses when he trained during the offseason, as he used the Tar Heels' heartbreaking loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sweet 16 to fuel his preparations for his sophomore year.
"The five returners have talked a lot about what they felt in that locker room after we lost in the Sweet 16 and being up three with 1:28 to go and having a chance to play in the Elite Eight, and wanting to have a chance to possibly get back there again. It's something that drove Elliot, and I'm just really excited about his growth."
Elliot Cadeau finished his freshman season with 159 assists, the most by a Tar Heel since Theo Pinson in 2018. He also became the 11th freshman in program history to record over 100 assists in a single season, with his 2.2 assist-turnover ratio the fourth-best among the list of 11.
The Tar Heels have stepped up recruiting during the offseason, assembling the fifth best signing class in the country, per On3. Should Cadeau become a stronger shooter, the Tar Heels could emerge as a dark horse to win the coveted NCAA Championship.