After a 25-10 season and a upset loss to Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Roy William’s team looks to bounce back in 2018 with a very experienced roster.
Returning Players:
North Carolina returns with a very experienced team. Senior forward Luke Maye will look to lead the Tar Heels season after averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds last season. The Tar Heels will need Maye to step up in a leadership role this season after the loss of Joel Berry and Theo Pinson. Seniors Cameron Johnson and Kenny Williams return for one more season after averaging 12.4 points and 11.4 points a game respectively last season. They will need to step up in a bigger role this season. Sophomores Sterling Manley and Garrison Brooks will have to step up in bigger roles this year. Junior Seventh Woods could also step into the starting point guard role this year.
Incoming Players:
North Carolina comes in with an excellent recruiting class this year. Lead by former five star recruit Nassir Little, former five star Coby White, and former four star Leaky Black. Little was the number two recruit in the nation. He put up phenomenal stats in the McDonald’s All American Game with 28 points and five rebounds, winning the MVP in the game. Little will most likely start and play the most as a freshman this season. White was 25th in the nation this year and averaged a whopping 30.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists a game. White also broke the North Carolina high school scoring record with 3,573 points. White will also be competing with Seventh Woods for the starting point guard spot. Reckon “Leaky” White rounds out the 2018 North Carolina recruiting class. White averaged 13.4 points, 3.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 steals a game in high school. White’s ability to fill the stat sheet could help with replacing Theo Pinson’s production.
Key Games:
December 22nd vs Kentucky:
This will be UNC’s first game against a big time opponent. This Kentucky team is again very good. We will see how good this UNC team is and if they can compete on a national level.
January 21st vs Virginia Tech:
This is the first ACC test for the Tar Heels. Virginia Tech brings back the best basketball team in the school’s history and should compete for the ACC championship. We will see how far this UNC team has improved since their game versus Kentucky.
February 20th @ Duke:
Not only is this the most storied rivalry in College Basketball history, this will be the first road test for this Tar Heel team. If UNC could beat Duke it will prove this team is legit.
Projected Season:
Record: 25-6
ACC Tournament: Semifinals
NCAA Tournament: Elite Eight
Image via: Greensboro.com
