North Carolina

Last year could not have been scripted any better for Roy Williams and his Tar Heels. They were prohibitive favorites to win it all and they delivered. Not that there weren’t adversities along the way, but this team was as close to perfect as possible- a 34-4 record, 13-3 in the ACC and a stunning march to the national championship, winning every game by double figures, including a 17 point drubbing of Michigan St. in the finals. Tyler Hansbrough was Player of the Year, Ty Lawson was ACC Player of the year and Wayne Ellington was the MOP of the Final Four. Along with Danny Green, this group has moved on and must be replaced. A monumental task for any program but there are stars waiting in the wings in Chapel Hill.

The biggest bonus may be the return of 5th year senior Marcus Ginyard. He red-shirted last year due to a broken foot but is healthy and ready to return. He is a lockdown defender and should command a lot of respect in the locker room. Deon Thompson will also give this team senior leadership as well as a solid option down on the low post. Tyler Zeller missed 13 weeks last year with a broken wrist but returned late in the year and was effective. He runs extremely well and has great hands. Will Graves played 20 games before he was suspended last year but returns as the team’s best perimeter shooter. The guy I think will have a breakout year is sophomore Ed Davis. He is a very polished offensive player and is a monster on defense. He could average a double-double and be an All-ACC player. The most important player may be Larry Drew II. Point guard play is critical in Roy Williams’ system and Drew is relatively untested, having backed up Lawson last year. How he grows into that role may determine how far Carolina goes.

The freshman class is stellar! The most heralded is John Henson, a 6’10” small forward. He can play on the perimeter or on the block and is a very strong shot blocker. The Wear twins, David and Travis, are also 6’10” and are very skilled. They have been better than advertised in preseason workouts. Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald will see time at both guard positions and will be looked to for help in shoring up the perimeter game with the departure of Green and Ellington. This is a very talented class and all will be given a chance to contribute early.

There has been a massive talent drain from last year but don’t look at this as a rebuilding year for the Heels. Roy Williams is a hall of fame coach and will have this group right in the national hunt again. Ginyard’s return is huge, especially from a leadership standpoint. He will be hungry to go out a winner. Davis is a star in waiting and will have plenty of chances to pick up for Hansbrough. The key could be how quickly Drew acclimates to running this team. He had valuable practice time battling Lawson every day, but running the show at game time is different. This team will be huge and very imposing defensively and on the glass. I have no doubt that Roy Williams will have this group playing at a very high level very quickly.

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