North Carolina Tar Heels
Atlantic Coast Conference (29-5, 14-2)
This team was primed to disappoint in some way. After everyone returned from last year’s Elite Eight squad, foregoing future NBA success to try to win a title, the pressure was on. The Tar Heels did not always live up to that pressure either. There were some questionable losses, some quizzical efforts put forth (January 14). Defense did not always seem to be a priority, a common thread through some of Roy Williams’ more recent teams. But in college basketball, as in many walks of life, talent and experience shall overcome, and North Carolina has loads of both.
Big Wins: 11/11 vs Michigan State (67-55), 11/30 Wisconsin (60-57), 3/3 at Duke (88-70)
Bad Losses: 11/26 vs UNLV (80-90), 1/14 at Florida State (57-90), 2/8 Duke (84-85)
Coach: Roy Williams (9 seasons at North Carolina)
Why They Can Surprise:
There are some teams with more experience than Carolina. There are perhaps one or two teams with more talent. There is no one with a better combination of both however. Throw in the size up front from Tyler Zeller and John Henson (two near seven footers), and North Carolina can be considered the toughest out in college basketball. Point guard Kendall Marshall is not a scorer but arguably the best passer in the nation. Harrison Barnes might be the best all-around offensive player in the nation with his ability to get to the basket and spot up from outside. The bench is deep as well, even after some injuries to key contributors. Two talented freshmen still improving game after game are expected to do nothing more than contribute in bursts. All Roy Williams teams are able to run the court and score in droves but this team can also pound the ball inside and shoot very well from the outside. It will be hard for anyone to contain the Tar Heels come tournament time.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The reason North Carolina didn’t go undefeated comes down to defensive effort. Although the sport today sees much more parity and winning all your road games is nearly impossible, Carolina was flat out better than everyone they faced this season with the possible exception of Kentucky. However, they did not win all their games. This team seems to have lapses in effort or concentration. It happened against UNLV. It never went away against Florida State. Even with all their size and strength, teams score way more points against them than they ever should. Whether it is a coaching fault or the personality of the roster, the defense does not always bring it. When the shots aren’t falling from the outside and/or one of the big men gets in foul trouble, North Carolina could go down, and it could get ugly.
Probable Starters:
Kendall Marshall, Sophomore, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 9.7 apg,
Reggie Bullock, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 1.3 apg, 4.9 rpg
Harrison Barnes, Sophomore, Forward, 17.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg
John Henson, Junior, Forward, 13.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.9 bpg
Tyler Zeller, Senior, Center, 16.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
P.J. Hairston, Freshman, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg
James Michael McAdoo, Freshman, Forward, 5.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 82.3 (2nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.2 (150, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.2 (64, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 38.6 (11, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.0 (280, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.3 (165, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 67.7 (221, 8)
Rebound Margin: 11.3 (1, 1)
Assists Per Game: 17.5 (4, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (45, 3)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
North Carolina 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Long Island
North Carolina 2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Washington
North Carolina 2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Marquette
North Carolina 2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Kentucky
North Carolina 2010 NIT First Round win over William & Mary
North Carolina 2010 NIT Second Round win over Mississippi State
North Carolina 2010 NIT Quarterfinal win over UAB
North Carolina 2010 NIT Semifinal win over Rhode Island
North Carolina 2010 NIT Final loss to Dayton
North Carolina 2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Radford
North Carolina 2009 NCAA Round of 32 win over LSU
North Carolina 2009 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Gonzaga
North Carolina 2009 NCAA Regional Final win over Oklahoma
North Carolina 2009 NCAA National Semifinal win over Villanova
North Carolina 2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Mount St. Mary's
North Carolina 2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arkansas
North Carolina 2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Washington State
North Carolina 2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Louisville
North Carolina 2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Kansas
North Carolina 2008 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Kansas
North Carolina 2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Eastern Kentucky
North Carolina 2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Michigan State
North Carolina 2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over USC
North Carolina 2007 NCAA Regional Final loss to Georgetown
*all team stats through 3/4
