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November 7th,
2006
By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
Broadcast Basketball
North
Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Rank:
#2
Conference
Rank:
#1 ACC
2005-06: 23-8,
12-4, 2nd
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 If
you are anything besides a
North Carolina fan, it’s just not fair. The Tar Heels can
go 13 deep and the 13th man would start on just about
any other team in the nation. That’s not just depth, that’s
quality depth. If you’re a realist and think the Gators can’t
win back to back national championships, this is your pick.
Who’s Out:
Just
one year ago David Noel was the only returning player who was
supposed to be decent. One year later and nobody is concerned
about his 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds departing Chapel Hill.
Byron Sanders, who made appearances in all 31 games, has also
run out of eligibility.
Who’s In:
Coach Roy
Williams picked up a class that can rival Ohio State. Ty
Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Brandan Wright are among the elite
in the nation. There isn’t much that Lawson can’t do. He’s a
smart, quick point guard who can create for his teammates and
score from just about anywhere on the court. Ellington, who
will battle for the starting job at the off guard position, can
hit the long ball with consistency and finish around the basket
in spectacular fashion. Wright, a 6-9 power forward, is a solid
rebounder and scorer in the paint. He could stand to add a
little more strength, but that won’t stop him from starting and
putting up big numbers. Small forward William Graves has great
versatility and can do whatever Coach Williams asks of him. Big
men Deon Thompson and Alex Stephenson are highly touted
recruits, but will find it difficult to see a lot of minutes
right away. Thompson is a good scorer in the paint and has a
knack for finding the open man when he’s double teamed
underneath. Stephenson, at 6-9 and 225 pounds, has a nice frame
and can use his long arms to grab some boards.
Who to Watch:
Returning starter means nothing at UNC with all the super
talented freshmen coming in, but Bobby Frasor, Wes Miller and
Marcus Ginyard each started at least 14 games last year. Frasor,
who started all 31 games, averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 assists
last year and could slide over to the two guard spot. Miller
averaged 7.2 points per game last year, but his playing time is
expected to diminish to a sharpshooting role off the bench…at
best. Ginyard is a great defender and if there are any problems
in that regard by the newcomers, Ginyard should hold onto his
starting role. Danny Green didn’t see as many minutes or earn
any starts, but the sophomore proved to be an effective scorer
off the bench.
Final
Projection:
Tyler Hansbrough
led the squad with 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds as a freshman
and should put up all conference numbers again this season.
Reyshawn Terry put up an unappreciated 14.3 points and 6.2
boards last year and will most likely put up similar numbers and
be unappreciated once again. The youth can be made an issue,
but really the Tar Heels are so deep that if one freshman
falters, another will be ready to take his place. This is a
team that went 12-4 in the ACC last year with Miller starting 16
games. How it looks now, Miller will be lucky to find the floor
at all during a big game.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Ty Lawson,
Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Bobby Frasor,
Sophomore, Guard, 6.4 points per game
Reyshawn Terry,
Senior, Forward, 14.3 points per game
Brandan Wright,
Freshman, Forward, DNP last season
Tyler Hansbrough,
Sophomore, Forward, 18.9 points per game
Also:
Complete
ACC Preview & Ranking
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