Season Preview: 2009-10 North Carolina Tar Heels

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Tar Heels will be losing four starters, 68.8 points per game, and the ACC All-Time scoring leader. Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, and Bobby Frasor have all graduated. Lawson and Ellington chose to forgoe their senior years and enter the NBA draft. 

With Deon Thompson being the only starter returning, Roy Williams had to bring in elite recruits to keep North Carolina at the top of the ACC and a threat to make another run at a national championship.

The class that Williams compiled is ranked among the top three. It seems with Williams, the motto is “Reload not Rebuild.”

Let’s take a look at players who will see the most playing time and contribute the most starting with the freshman.

Freshmen

John Henson 6’10 195

Henson is the most heralded recruit being the No. 2 PF in his class. He is a hybrid 4 and is comfortable on the wing and finishes well around the hoop with both hands. On defense, Henson will block and alter many shots with his nearly 7’5 wingspan. His potential is through the roof and he will make an immediate impact.

Dexter Strickland 6’3 180

Strickland is a combo guard and is capable of playing the point. He is explosive and loves to get to the rim. Great in transition and will benefit from Roy Williams’ offense tremendously. His only knock is that his perimeter game needs work.

Leslie McDonald 6’4 215

Has the word solid written all over him. He defends well and is a consistent shooter. Not really a slasher and is better when coming off screens. He has a great basketball IQ and will have an impact on North Carolina’s thin backcourt. Can defend three positions.

David and Travis Wear 6’10 235

Both play similar to each other and their high school, Mater Dei, was among the nations best last year. The Wear twins are comfortable on the perimeter and on the block. Both have great fundamentals and are not afraid to handle the basketball.

Neither is a jaw-dropping athlete, but both have a great feel for the game, high basketball IQ, and their versatility will only give Roy Williams more ways to implement each on the court.

Returning Players

Marcus Ginyard 6’5 210       Redshirt Senior

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