North Carolina Tar Heels
ACC (25-10, 11-7)
This North Carolina team is a lot different than the one that won the National Championship in 2017. Despite so many departures from that team, Coach Roy Williams still has a very experienced squad and one that is well-positioned to defend their title.
Big Wins: 12/17 at Tennessee (78-73), 1/16 Clemson (87-79), 2/8 Duke (82-78)
Bad Losses: 12/20 Wofford (75-79), 1/22 at Virginia Tech (69-80), 1/27 NC State (91-95)
Coach: Roy Williams
Why They Can Surprise:
Just like last year, the Tar Heels do a great job of sharing the basketball and hitting the glass. All five regular starters average at least 2.3 assists per game. That is an amazing statistic, especially for a team that is big and so tough on the glass. It is not like UNC is running five guards out on the floor. Theo Pinson is a big reason why this group is so versatile. The 6-6 senior rebounds like a forward and leads the team in assists. Luke Maye is the more traditional forward, but he too can pass the ball effectively and step outside and knock down three-pointers consistently. On the year the 6-8 junior is averaging 17.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks.
Why They Can Disappoint:
A high scoring, up and down team like North Carolina will turn the ball over on occasion, but that is something this group needs to be careful with during close games in the NCAA Tournament. They do have a negative turnover margin and losing out on those possessions will help negate their strength on the glass. It is important that the backcourt trio of Joel Berry II, Cameron Johnson and Kenny Williams take care of the ball and avoid careless turnovers. The other potential issue for the Tar Heels is their three-point defense. The opposition shoots 38.6 percent from beyond the arc, which ranks North Carolina 333rd in the nation in three-point field-goal defense.
Probable Starters:
Joel Berry II, Senior, Guard, 17.1 ppg, 3.3 apg
Kenny Williams, Junior, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 2.5 apg, 3.7 rpg
Cameron Johnson, Senior, Guard, 12.7 ppg, 2.3 apg, 4.7 rpg
Theo Pinson, Senior, Forward, 10.3 ppg, 4.8 apg, 6.4 rpg
Luke Maye, Junior, Forward, 17.2 ppg, 2.4 apg, 10.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Key Role Players:
Garrison Brooks, Freshman, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Sterling Manley, Freshman, Forward, 5.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 83.0 (22nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 74.0 (224, 13)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.6 (87, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.8 (108, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.4 (99, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.1 (79, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.6 (86, 6)
Rebound Margin: 10.7 (1, 1)
Assists Per Game: 18.1 (5, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.3 (111, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over Texas Southern
2017 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arkansas
2017 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Butler
2017 NCAA Regional Final win over Kentucky
2017 NCAA National Semifinal win over Oregon
2017 NCAA National Final win over Gonzaga
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Florida Gulf Coast
2016 NCAA Round of 32 win over Providence
2016 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Indiana
2016 NCAA Regional Final win over Notre Dame
2016 NCAA National Semifinal win over Syracuse
2016 NCAA National Final loss to Villanova
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over Harvard
2015 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arkansas
2015 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Wisconsin
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Providence
2014 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Iowa State
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Villanova
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kansas
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Vermont
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Creighton
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Ohio
2012 NCAA Regional Final loss to Kansas
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Long Island
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Washington
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Marquette
2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Kentucky
2010 NIT First Round win over William & Mary
2010 NIT Second Round win over Mississippi State
2010 NIT Quarterfinal win over UAB
2010 NIT Semifinal win over Rhode Island
2010 NIT Final loss to Dayton
2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Radford
2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over LSU
2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Gonzaga
2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Oklahoma
2009 NCAA National Semifinal win over Villanova
2009 NCAA National Final win over Michigan State
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Mount St. Mary's
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arkansas
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Washington State
2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Louisville
2008 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Kansas
*all team stats through 3/4
