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Carolina may be getting closer to that coveted eight-man rotation.
Among the problems that surfaced over the recent basketball season was the Tar Heels’ inability to settle on the first three subs off the bench, which played less than 22 percent of their total 6,725 minutes, among the lowest in the country.
The generally accepted standard in college ball is a starting five and three top reserves, the first wing player off the bench, the first big man off the bench and a back-up point guard. It helps with more versatility like in UNC’s offense when the 2-3 and 4-5 men are almost interchangeable.
Carolina never got there, which resulted in too much pressure on the first five and a lack of confidence among whoever was hoping to get playing time off the bench. It resulted in one of the worst outside-shooting teams in program history and unproductive reserves. Hubert Davis may be on his way to solving that with a formula that is basically addition by subtraction.
Puff Johnson, who averaged 16 minutes as the de facto sixth man, is the fourth to enter the transfer portal, following Justin McKoy, Tyler Nickel and Dontrez Styles. That attrition may result in a more set rotation, now that Armando Bacot is taking his expected super senior year. That is a huge “get” for Davis since UNC’s all-time rebounder can’t be replaced by any transfer.
If the axiom applies that most improvement comes between the first two seasons, rising sophomore Jalen Washington could become a high-low post presence and a lethal combo with Bacot. The first big guy off the bench could be 6-10 sophomore Will Shaver, incoming 4-star 6-9 freshman Zayden High or possibly 6-10 Jarin Stevenson from Pittsboro’s Seaforth High School should he sign with the Tar Heels and reclassify from a senior in high school to a college freshman.
However it shakes out, that will be more game depth and certainly added competition in practice than Bacot and Pete Nance were getting.
The back-up point guard to R.J. Davis is set with sophomore Seth Trimble, a passer-defender who needs to work on his shot in the off-season.
The fourth and fifth starters and possible first wing sub may depend on whether Caleb Love enters the portal or NBA draft. If Love leaves, 6-5 junior D’Marco Dunn would not be a surprise starter after showing off his athleticism and shooting potential in a limited role. Also, 4-star 6-4 incoming freshman combo guard Simeon Wilcher is likely in the mix somewhere.
Then there’s the portal, from which Davis and staff try to solidify an 8-man rotation who all know their roles and minutes per game. Fingers crossed.
Featured image via Todd Melet
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I’m so excited to see what the future holds for UNC basketball. Hubert was the BEST choice for coach, after a clearly grueling interviewing and hiring process. But when it came right down to it, HUBERT WAS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!!! He has done an awesome job, winning 20 games this past year with almost no talent. Now those no talents have graduated and/or transferred, and look for all the former 5 stars to knock our door down to transfer on in. The future is so bright I’ve gotta wear shades. We’ll be back to getting out on transition, averaging 25 assists per game, shooting well over 50 percent from the floor, having 3 players average double digit rebounds, rarely turning the ball over, only taking great shots, etc…. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear (if you’re inclined to swear) that Dean was back on the sidelines mounting those insurmountable leads and staging the greatest comebacks in history. Let’s get the season started now!!!!!!!!
If I ever need encouragement, Don, I’m coming to you! Great remarks.
The dooky fan never stops.
Not s Dooky at all. Diehard Tarheel for over 60 years! Had season tickets for 35 years, driving hundreds of miles to the game and back. Just really disappointed and disgusted at the state of UNC (revenue) sports. This is Don 2020 signing off for good. Y’all all behave and act like you got some smarts!!!
Carolina remains one of the top college sports programs in the country by any measure you wish to make.
Quite a few “revenue” sports programs are finding difficulty with the new NIL/portal reality. I don’t like either and it’s ruining the college level sports programs. Never the less, So far NC seems to be navigating the new waters in an ethical manner.
Tar Heels support their school, as I have for 70 years. Good times or bad, I enjoy watching my teams play in a variety of arena’s.
Bacot coming back is great news. I hope UNC is looking for athletic shooters at small forward to fill the hole left by the transfers.As to that, I have read disparaging comments about those guys such as”—– was overrated” or “—– didn’t really belong here.” These guys wore the Carolina blue and deserve better. I have read that there is interest in Jae’Lyn Withers from Louisville and Nicolas Timberlake from Towson. Any interest in a rebounding power forward to help Bacot out such as John Hugley from Pitt or someone similar? I have read UNC has a plan Hopes are high but time will tell!