It’s hard to believe that basketball season is right around the corner. Just a couple weeks ago, I was wrapping my mind around how great it was to have football back. But the clock just keeps on ticking. Here we go! Wednesday afternoon was UNC’s media day inside the Dean Smith Center. Roy and his boys addressed the journalists on hand and took some pretty cool photos.

As always, the Tar Heels harbor lofty expectations for the upcoming season, but for some reason this year those lofty goals seemed more believable in the eyes of the coaches and players. And what’s more, they were far more palatable to the throngs of sports media members in attendance.

With that said, here’s some quick hits of the more memorable highlights and observations from the preseason Dean Dome proceedings:

 

RoyW jokes “ideal » team would be “Marcus, Marvin, Tyler, Tyler, John.” Classic RoyW.

Collective stated GOAL by players: FINAL FOUR or bust (that’s the Carolina way, after all).

SHOCKER OF THE DAY: No golf references by RoyW – serious business! Man, I wish I would have cashed in on those long odds (100/1, anyone?).

VICIOUS PRACTICES: According to RoyW, “we’re not taking any names, we’re just taking prisoners” right now in the lead-up to the season. Those remarks were fervently backed up by the players. Meeks says he’s been using a mouthguard. Why not a helmet, too?

Isaiah Hicks to emerge? RoyW says last season, Hicks didn’t believe in his immense talent and wasn’t allowing himself to shine on a regular basis. Now, he says that’s all changed.

Marcus Paige is a preseason All-America pick, as he should be. That “tough little nut,” as Coach Williams calls him, may not have to take on so much of the scoring burden this season, or so he hopes…

Brice Johnson has bulked up, big time. I definitely could notice the transformation when speaking to him on the Smith Center floor. Anybody think that will help him become a tougher force inside? That’s surely what RoyW is looking for.

Image courtesy The Daily Tar Heel

Image courtesy The Daily Tar Heel

Kennedy Meeks looks like a completely different person. Where did all his baby fat go? Well, it’s gone. And that’s good news for the Tar Heels. He’s looking for a breakout season.

J.P. Tokoto is also talking the talk. He says he’s trying to be that next big-time player to complement Paige this year. And would anybody be surprised if he takes his game to the next level? He’s certainly a freak-of-nature athlete.

POSITIVE ENERGY: Yes, I know everybody is optimistic in the preseason. Why shouldn’t they be? But the collective belief was palpable Wednesday. These Tar Heels mean business. We’ll have to wait to see if anybody becomes a legitimate inside scoring threat around the rim, but for now, it’s time to dream.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The last two years, there’s been more junk than I wanted to deal with. It made the job not as fun, no question. It’s confirmed that what I truly love is being on the court with the kids. The last two years, that’s been my salvation.” – UNC head coach Roy Williams