North Carolina Tar Heels
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #8
Conference Rank: #3 ACC
After consecutive trips to the National Championship game in 2016 and 2017, North Carolina suffered an early loss in the round of 32 in 2018. Senior leaders Joel Berry and Theo Pinson have now graduated, and the Tar Heels must turn their backcourt over into new hands. Luke Maye, Cameron Johnson and Kenny Williams are all back as senior leaders on an otherwise young Tar Heel roster. Roy Williams did add three high profile freshmen this offseason, highlighted by one-and-done candidate Nassir Little. North Carolina should find themselves at the top of the ACC yet again in 2019.
2017-18 Record: 26-11, 11-7
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Roy Williams
Coach Record: 424-126 at North Carolina, 842-227 overall
Key Departed Players:
Joel Berry, Guard, 17.1 ppg
Theo Pinson, Forward, 10.3 ppg
Joel Berry, Guard, 17.1 ppg
Theo Pinson, Forward, 10.3 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Luke Maye, Senior, Forward, 16.9 ppg
Cameron Johnson, Senior, Forward, 12.4 ppg
Kenny Williams, Senior, Guard, 11.4 ppg
Sterling Manley, Sophomore, Forward, 5.4 ppg
Garrison Brooks, Sophomore, Forward, 4.5 ppg
Andrew Platek, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Brandon Robinson, Junior, Guard, 1.7 ppg
Brandon Huffman, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg
Seventh Woods, Junior, Guard, 1.1 ppg
Cameron Johnson, Senior, Forward, 12.4 ppg
Kenny Williams, Senior, Guard, 11.4 ppg
Sterling Manley, Sophomore, Forward, 5.4 ppg
Garrison Brooks, Sophomore, Forward, 4.5 ppg
Andrew Platek, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg
Brandon Robinson, Junior, Guard, 1.7 ppg
Brandon Huffman, Sophomore, Forward, 1.6 ppg
Seventh Woods, Junior, Guard, 1.1 ppg
Key New Players:
Rechon “Leaky” Black, Freshman, Guard
Nassir Little, Freshman, Forward
Coby White, Freshman, Guard
Rechon “Leaky” Black, Freshman, Guard
Nassir Little, Freshman, Forward
Coby White, Freshman, Guard
Projection:
Luke Maye was named preseason ACC Player of the Year and enters his senior season with sky-high expectations. Maye was North Carolina’s hero as a sophomore when he hit the game-winning shot to get to the Final Four, and he followed that with a phenomenal junior campaign. Maye averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds, which earned him Third Team All-American honors. Versatile wings Cameron Johnson and Kenny Williams are both back as seniors as well. Williams and Johnson have been mostly shooters throughout their college careers and will be relied on to become all-around contributors in their final collegiate seasons. Sterling Manley, Garrison Brooks and Brandon Huffman are all sophomores now after all three rotated time at center last season. Manley was the most impressive as a freshman and could be a breakout player this season. Andrew Platek, Brandon Robinson and Seventh Woods also all return after playing limited roles last season. The Tar Heels welcome three freshmen this season, led by top-5 recruit Nassir Little. Little is a 6-6 forward who is a likely NBA Lottery talent after he plays one season at UNC. Coby White is also a five-star recruit who will be the point guard of the future for the Tar Heels. Lastly, Rechon “Leaky” Black joins the Heels as a four-star, top-100 recruit. Losing Joel Berry and Theo Pinson will certainly hurt the Tar Heels, but Roy Williams has proven ability to quickly build teams back up. Adding studs like Little and White to go along with preseason All-American Luke Maye puts UNC right back in the race for an ACC title.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 81.6 (28th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.3 (199, 12)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.7 (123, 7)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.3 (75, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.2 (109, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.9 (116, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 74.3 (64, 4)
Rebound Margin: 9.6 (3, 1)
Assists Per Game: 18.2 (5, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.0 (99, 7)
Madness 2019 NBA Draft Rankings:
#3 Nassir Little
Madness 2018 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#3 Nassir Little
#24 Coby White
#63 Rechon Black
