2011-12 North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball Preview

UNC Season Preview

Projected Statistics (Returning Players Only)

Things to Watch

North Carolina comes into the 2011-12 season as the clear favorite not only in the ACC but nationally.  The Tar Heels return four of the top ten players in the ACC and have three players on the Preseason All-ACC First Team as selected by the media.  Let's take a look at the roster and then finish with how this season will play out for the Heels.

The Backcourt

Last season the UNC backcourt was filled with questions until Kendall Marshall was given the starting job.  Marshall stepped onto the court and immediately made a difference, finishing with a better than 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio in his freshman season.  Marshall has the ability to get in the lane and get his teammates open shots.  Marshall is the key to the UNC offense.  Dexter Strickland will be at the shooting guard position initially, and despite the position label shooting is not his strongpoint.  Strickland made just a quarter of his 3 pointers attempted last season, but Strickland earns his playing time as the Heels best defender.  On the wing, Harrison Barnes chose to return for his sophomore season and was selected as the preseason ACC Player of the Year by the media.  The sophomore from Ames, Iowa struggled shooting the basketball last season, but finally put things together the 2nd half of the season and big things are expected of him this year.  Barnes's comfort zone is in his mid-range game, but he'll need to attack the basket more this season to take his game to the next level.

One player that is missing from the backcourt is likely the Heels' best shooter Leslie McDonald.  McDonald tore his ACL and will miss the entire season leaving the Heels looking for players to stretch defenses.  One player that will make his mark shooting the ball is freshman PJ Hairston.  Hairston is a 6-6 wing player who could sneak into the starting lineup if he shows he is ready defensively. Hairston made himself known initially as a shooter in high school, but has become a well rounded scorer over the last 2 years.  Reggie Bullock is another player that should see some playing time at the shooting guard, the 6-7 Bullock is also a good perimeter shooter. 

The Frontcourt

While the UNC backcourt is loaded, the UNC frontcourt is very talented but not quite as deep.  As a result, don't be surprised to see Harrison Barnes or PJ Hairston play the four some this season in a smaller UNC lineup.  Up front, the Heels have John Henson and Tyler Zeller.  Henson is the long, lanky big man known more for his defense, as evidence by the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season.  Zeller on the other hand is known more for his ability to score in the post with a reliable hook shot.  Don't get me wrong, both players are well rounded and neither is a liability on either end, but if you put the two together you have a top 5 NBA draft pick.  Apart, they'll both be first rounders (if the NBA ever returns from this lockout).  Incoming frosh, James McAdoo will spell both players and is ready to contribute right away.  McAdoo can score in the paint or float around the perimeter and knock down jumpers.  While his post game needs to develop, McAdoo will rebound in traffic and wlil run the floor well and get easy baskets in transition. 

Season Outlook

Roy Williams has to be eyeing another national championship this season.  The Heels have a very talented group of players returning and PJ Hairston and James McAdoo are two freshmen that will make their mark when they come in the game.  The biggest question, and its a reach, is what happens if Kendall Marshall gets injured or gets into foul trouble?  At this point, Roy Williams has indicated Dexter Strickland will step in and be Marshall's backup, but Strickland has never been one to value the ball and avoid turnovers.  That said, if you're worrying about you're backup point guard, then you know have a really good team.  Roy Williams certainly has that and a chance to pick up another National Championship.

by Jon Pence - @scacchoops on Twitter

Fantasy Player to Watch

While John Henson may not score as much as Harrison Barnes or Tyler Zeller, he is the most consistent fantasy scorer on the Heels because he rebounds, blocks shots, and scores enough on the offensive end. Henson should be a first rounder in your fantasy draft.

Last Year's Player Statistics

Team Stats

Widgets