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Hopefully, Hubert Davis is not trading one problem for another.
Rarely has UNC’s off-season been more exciting and hopeful than the campaign that just ended. But the disappointment was palpable from the once top-ranked team in the country becoming the first No. 1 in 40 years to not even make the NCAA tournament.
Carolina fans are nothing if not optimistic. Six players entered the portal on top of two running out of eligibility. So far, Davis has corralled four transfers and two new freshmen to almost complete the revamped roster, but the most buzz is coming from Link Academy prep school in Missouri.
All unsubstantiated reports over social media are declaring that 6-foot-1 Elliot Cadeau, a top-rated point guard, will skip his senior year and reclassify so he can join the Tar Heels early after committing to them last fall. If so, UNC has one scholarship open, and additional prep stars and transfers are in the mix.
And along with the speculation about Cadeau comes the rumors that Seth Trimble and/or D’Marco Dunn might leave because Cadeau would take up too much of their playing time. And this is exactly where Davis may be stuck.
What is the two-year head coach saying to these guys who are either coming, staying for now or still possibly transferring out before the portal closes on May 12? And to the new freshmen who have already signed and even Cadeau?
Although the veterans who are coming to Carolina from Brown, Louisville, Notre Dame and Stanford with a combined dozen years of college ball, Davis is likely promising nothing but an opportunity to play. They have the experience but do they have the athleticism and outside shooting the Tar Heels need?
Of course, a little-used bench began the outward flow after freshmen Tyler Nickel and Will Shaver, sophomore Dontrez Styles, junior Puff Johnson and super senior Justin McKoy played fewer minutes than those who backed up the Iron Five in 2022? And lightning rod Caleb Love left after perhaps playing too many minutes.
Wouldn’t you guess that transfers are picking schools where they expect to play? And while the roster may be deeper, how will minutes be divvied up? Right now, Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis are veteran returnees, and if the slick 5-star Cadeau comes that leaves only two starting spots for 10 hopefuls.
Maybe they will all be even from the first day of practice, except in Carolina tradition Dunn, Trimble and Jalen Washington as returning lettermen would get the first shots. And how long will that last?
Davis may insist everyone can earn minutes, but settling on the eight- or nine-man rotation that is ideal requires the top reserves having enough time on the floor to get comfortable. Assuming some departees left mad for not getting a chance to play more, what will make older newbies happy?
Clearly, Carolina and its head coach cannot afford another uncertain season like the last one.
Featured image via Todd Melet
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Why does this guy have a platform to write? He never has anything of significance to say. Stating the obvious it’s not writing or reporting lol.
Carolina will start the season with only two Tar Heels on the floor. R.I.P. Tar Heel Basketball.