Roy Williams is notorious for starting his practices with the phrase, "It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood." With "Psycho T" announcing his return to college basketball Friday afternoon, there is no better way to put it.
The Tar Heels return a load of talent from the 2007-2008 season. Leading scorer and Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough (22.6 ppg 10.2 rpg) has decided to finish his college career in Chapel Hill, aiming for a national championship.
Hansbrough will be joined by veteran players Danny Green (11.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Deon Thompson (8.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Marcus Ginyard (6.9 ppg).
If Alex Stephenson dispels rumors of leaving for UCLA to be with his sick father, the depth only gets better.
With star players Wayne Ellington and Tywan Lawson declaring for the draft, the Tar Heels do have some holes to fill. Assuming Ellington and Lawson stay in the draft, the Tar Heels will have a huge void to fill at the point guard position.
Big name recruit Larry Drew will join the Tar Heels next year with no college experience. A point guard that has been deemed careless with the basketball may have a tough time making an impact for the Heels.
All-Americans Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller will also help solidify the North Carolina frontcourt. With the highly anticipated arrival of Davis and Zeller, Williams may face problems finding playing time between the five post players (six, if you include Copeland).
If Ellington and Lawson stick around, college basketball fans will be in for a treat. The Tar Heels will have 95.5 percent of their scoring and 95.6 percent of their rebounding back from last year.
With Kansas, Memphis, and Texas losing a majority of their talent to the draft, it will be hard to find a team that can compete with the Heels in 2008-09!
Comments (9) Add a comment »
from 19 days ago
Stevenson said in an interview, I think at the awards banquet, that he was coming back! I hope he gets the start over Thomphson next year, I think with starter's minutes he could be an absolute force.
from 19 days ago
I couldn't agree more! I think he just needs the PT! I hope he comes back I didn't know he had said that, but thanks for letting me know!
from 19 days ago
Did you guys watch the same Deon Thompson that I watched in the NCAA tourney? Deon showed an array of post moves, very solid foot work, and the ability to defend in the post. Alex Stepheson (matt, check your spelling) is very nice post defender but he needs to polish his offensive game before he will make serious impact for the Heels next season. Tywon Lawson (check spelling in the above article) will be a huge loss for Carolina if he doesn't take his name out of the Draft before June 16th.
from 19 days ago
yeah but if alex was in the game consistantly and didn't have to worry whether he would get eight or twenty eight minutes a game he could focus on dominating..I think he just needs some confidence..don't get me wrong deon is very good.. I just think alex would be a better player with more consistency
from 18 days ago
Danny Green declared also, but won't hire an agent.
from 18 days ago
Thats the most rediculius thing Ive heard yet on the draft! anybody else think he has no shot this year?
from 18 days ago
Green will return...he can't be that dumb. He either has the most inflated view of his own abilities I have ever seen, or he has the wrong people in his ear.
from 18 days ago
I think a lot has to do with Danny's dad, and I'm sure by now everyone has heard that story. There was a quote from him that read something like, "Roy thought Danny coming back was a given..." so maybe its an ego/money thing? Either way I hope all three take this time to learn what they need to develop and come back and work on it for another season.
from 18 days ago
Well said, Green needs to take a lesson from Forte (who was better than him anyways) and realize the NBA isn't a joke as far as talent goes. To be honest I dont see him in the NBA..EVER!
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