North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball Fanatics

Even though the Tar Heels had an off year do not count them out they had a young team in 2009-2010, but Roy Williams is still one of the best coaches of all time so look out for the Tar Heels in 2010-2011. GO TAR HEELS!!!!!!!!!

Category: NCAAB

One thing about the Heels this year, is they own NCSU! It is funny how State wants to be one of the big boys, yet cant even sniff Carolina on one of the Heels down years! Anyways, some bright spots on this years team are John Henson, He should be able to gain a little weight this offseason, and should be a solid 4 next year. The Wear brothers have shown flashes, and Ed Davis will be healthy and a main cog in the Heels season. I look for a bounce back considering the freshman coming in next year will be able to score, something that is eluding the Heels this Season! Keep your Heads up, Heels fans, The HEELS will be back!

Category: NCAAB

So watching UNC last night (and that was refreshing since I live in Kansas), I've got questions. With such a young team, can they hold up for a tournament run?!? Let's be honest, last night was a sloppy game on all sides of the ball. Carolina had careless turnovers, which is not something we're known for and they took some sloppy shots. In the end, we won the gane and thats all that matters. Except, if we play that way against other top ten teams, we are screwed!! Michigan State is overrated, and thats not a diss. They just don't have it all together at this point in the season. If we don't play better ball, then we will be overrated!

Ed Davis  and Deon Thompson did really well shooting this game! They took shots that were calculated and on point. Larry Drew really endeared himself to me! I'm sold that he can plan point for us and do it well. Will Graves played alright... but if he is going to start, I want to see him step it up. Ginyard was simply brilliant on defense. Strickland seems like he could score some decent bench points, if he controls himself.

Our speed was a little slow and our defense was not on point. Prime example, Michigan State walked to the basket on some backdoor passes and ridiculous post ups. In the end, the W is on the board and we will improve our ranking. I just hope this doesn't get those freshman and sophmores over confident with Kentucky coming up!



Category: NCAAB

Although UNC lost 80% of their scoring I think this year they are going to have to get more aggressive on defense.  And the perfect canidate to get that started in Ed Davis.  I think he will lead the ACC in blocks this season and be in consideration for defensive player of the year.  If they step up their defense a notch from where it was last year they will be just fine.  I am looking forward to another 30 win season.  GO HEELS!

Category: NCAAB

 Defending national champion North Carolina will begin the 2009-10 season tonight at 7:00pm against Florida International. After defeating Michigan St. in the championship game last year, the Tarheels said goodbye to All American Tyler Hansborough and fellow senior Danny Green, as well as the entire starting backcourt of Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson, all of which have gone to the NBA. Such losses as these won't be easy to replace, but as usual, coach Williams and his staff brought in a top ranked recruiting class to try and replace some of that lost firepower. 6-10 f/c John Henson headlined this class, but there are several other talented newcomers who will contribute. Along with Henson, 6-10 twins David and Travis Wear will help make UNC's frontcourt one of the deepest in the nation. 6-3 guard Dexter Strickland, and 6-4 guard Leslie McDonald will both see extended playing time from the start of the season.
 Along with the freshman, Carolina returns a talented nucleus of players. Rumor has it that Henson will start, and joining him in the probable starting lineup will be Deon Thompson and Ed Davis. The backcourt will likely be Larry Drew and Marcus Ginyard. Will Graves and Justin Watts will come off the bench along with the above mentioned freshman. Tyler Zeller will likely be the first frontcourt sub and will probably play as many minutes as a starter in most games.
 While the Tarheels will have as deep and talented a frontcourt as you will find in the nation, questions abound in the backcourt. Outside of Marcus Ginyard, there is not a lot of experience. Most people are pointing to Drew as the biggest question mark. Following Ty Lawson will not be easy, but as long as he doesn't try to be Lawson, and plays his game, Larry Drew can be an effective point guard. Drew did struggle at times last season, as most freshman do, but he finished strong with 9 assists to 3 turnovers in his last four conference games, after having 17 assists to 22 turnovers in the first 14. He also stepped into a tough spot when Lawson went out for 3 games and played well. Drew had a good postseason, dishing out 13 assists to just 3 turnovers, and was very efficient in the NCAAs, having 6 assists to only one turnover.
 As usual Carolina's schedule will be difficult, featuring thier usual tough slate of ACC games, and key out of conference matchups with Ohio St., Mich. St., Kentucky, Texas, and either Cal or Syracuse. Despite the losses to graduation and the early exits, the Tarheels are still among the favorites to win the ACC, and once again compete for the national championship. My biggest concern for this team is not if Larry Drew can run the point, I am very confident he can run the offense, and be an effective passer, but where will the outside shooting come from. Not only did Carolina lose 248 of it's 264 made 3s, but also lost all of thier best three-point shooters. Carolina's four returning players that have attempted at least one three-pointer, shot a combined 16 of 69 last year for 23.2%. Will Graves and Larry Drew combined to hit 16 of 62. Marcus Ginyard made 13 of 52 for 25% in his freshman and sophmore seasons combined. Carolina will need players to emerge as the season goes on, and hopefully fill that role to keep defenses from packing the lane with bodies against thier talented frontcourt.
 Florida International will not likely present much of a threat to the Tarheels, despite having a couple of talented junior college transfers in Marvin Roberts and Antoine Watson, and being coached by former Indiana great Isiah Thomas. Hopefully the the Heels will play well and stay injury free. It's nice to see all of the excitement that always preceeds the tip off of a new UNC basketball season, amd I look forward to another successful year for coach Williams and the Tarheels. GO HEELS!!!!   

Category: NCAAB