But for all of the positives of
UNC’s core three upperclassmen, it’s
6-foot-8 sophomore Justin Jackson
that may hold the key to their season.
Like Johnson, he will need to be more
aggressive. Known as a triggerman
out of high school, Jackson shot only
30% from deep last year, but improved
as the season went along, including
a 22-point (4-5 from 3) performance
that led the Heels over Virginia in the
ACC Tournament. On the defensive
end, Jackson will be tasked with
replacing some of the wing defending
ability Tokoto provided. He still has
work to do, but his size and length
give North Carolina hope that he will
become an asset on the defensive end
sooner than later.
The aforementioned group of
starters are fortified by a very capable
group behind them. Either junior
Nate Britt or one of sophomores Joel
Berry and Theo Pinson will slide in
alongside Paige. All are experienced
enough not to be daunted by a
starting role. Up front, Isaiah Hicks
and Joel James bring further muscle
to the Heels and give Roy Williams
options when Meeks or Johnson need
a blow.
conditioning. Meeks lost 50 pounds
prior to last season and averaged
19.6 points and 12.6 rebounds per
40 minute, but still only managed
23.3 MPG. Rumors are that Meeks
has shaved off another 10 pounds,
dropping his weight to 260 and
priming him to raise his level of
performance.
Brice Johnson is rising up draft
boards due to his combination of length
(6-foot-9), athleticism, and production.
Johnson averaged 12.9 points per game
in the regular season and raised his
game when it mattered most. In the
Tar Heels four-game run to the ACC
Tournament Championship game,
Johnson averaged 18 PPG, showing
an assertiveness that will need to
carry over to this year.
“...starting at the top
doesn’t mean a thing,
unless you finish
there as
well.”
If the Tar Heels fall short this
season, it won’t be due to lack of talent,
but nothing will come easy. Their
non-conference slate includes home
dates with former conference rival
Maryland and UCLA, and a road game
against Texas to face Shaka Smart’s new
team. In the ACC, Virginia and Duke
look loaded again, and despite their
personnel losses, it’s probably not good
to sleep on Louisville or Notre Dame.
Roy Williams’s 2015-16 team
has all the makings of a National
Championship contender. They are
battle-tested, deep, balanced and chock
full of elite talent. But starting at the
top doesn’t mean a thing, unless you
finish there as well.
Photo: Tommy Gilligan - USA TODAY Sports
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