Now that three of the best players from last year's UNC Men's Basketball team have decided to return to Chapel Hill, I will preview what the starting lineup will look like. After a 36-3 season and a trip to the Final Four, the Tar Heels are the favorites to start the year number one in the polls. Here we go!
PG: Ty Lawson
Lawson, when healthy, is arguably the fastest guard in college basketball. He has great court vision, and can really get after it on the defensive end. His main issue is patenting a consistent outside jumper. If he can put together an outside game that rivals his dribble-drive game, I think he compares well with San Antonio Spurs' All-Star guard Tony Parker.
SG: Wayne Ellington
The 6'4" guard shot over 46% from the field, including over 40% from beyond the arc. He also was a nice second option to National Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough, scoring 16.4 ppg. If Ellington can assert himself on every play and not be lazy at points, he should be a First Team All-ACC selection.
SF: Danny Green
This guy is a scoring machine! Green was the sixth man for the Tar Heels, but saw starter-esque minutes in every game. At 11.5 ppg, Green was UNC's fourth leading scorer last season, in addition to almost five rebounds per contest. Green will be looking for his shot more this year, as he will be averaging closer to thirty minutes per game rather than the twenty-two per game he saw in 2007-2008. Another plus about Green is that he is strong enough to defend larger opponents.
PF: Deon Thompson
As a sophomore, Thompson started all but one of the 39 Tar Heel contests. He averaged a shade over eight points, but was more valuable on the defensive end. Thompson can really body up with taller competition, as he stands just 6'8", but weighs about 250 pounds. One area that Deon could certainly improve on is his rebounding. He averaged 4.8 rpg, which was less than the small forward Green.
C: Tyler Hansbrough
It's pretty self-explanatory when you mention Hansbrough's name. As the National POY, Hansbrough dominated the ACC competition all year putting up some gaudy numbers. He is the most fearless and tenacious player in college basketball. "Psycho T" averaged over 22 ppg and 10 rpg, while being given several accolades. Because he doesn't project too well as a pro prospect, Hansbrough should make some noise in his senior season in Chapel Hill.
Overall:
This is easily the best starting five in college basketball. It will be very interesting to see how they do, because the expectations will be quite high in Dean Smith country.
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3 months ago
CAN'T WAIT!
from 3 months ago
I know, right! It's gonna be amazing. I can smell a national title!
3 months ago
thats gunna be a hard 5 to beat, i really can't see any teams topping them for number 1 throughout the year besides maybe UConn and UCLA
from 3 months ago
agreed... UCONN will be tough this year
from 3 months ago
I think UConn will have to many character issues, to be honest. UCLA would have been an outstanding squad if Love and Westbrook had stayed.
3 months ago
UConn with character issues this year?
3 months ago
UConn has had so many character issues the past couple years, why would you think they wouldn't now? From stolen computers to missing classes...
3 months ago
This is going to be the deepest Tarheel team ever!
from 3 months ago
Sure has the potential to be! Thanks for the comment!
3 months ago
I would love for Danny to start but I think he may heep Ginyard in there for his "defensive presence." I really dont believe that Ginyard is that much of a better defensive prospect than Green, but Ginyard is percieved as a stopper and of course Danny can get that spark off the bench. With a healthy team I can not wait, unstopable team!
from 3 months ago
Yeah it will be very interesting to see what Roy decides to do.
3 months ago
Another outstanding lineup, another disappointing season for my Duke. I smell a pattern...
from 3 months ago
You might as well start bearing your hopes on Kyle Singler and Elliott Williams...
from 3 months ago
Nah, I'll just forget them. I'm a UA fan now, I guess.
3 months ago
Things needed for a championship in Chapel Heel:
1) Talent - check
2) Coaching - check
3) Depth - check
4) Focus - ? This is the one area that UNC may be lacking, or at least has for the past couple of seasons.
You have to ask, how could a team that talented and so well coached lose so bad in the Final Four? And the only answer I can think of is a lack of focus. I really believe this team has the potential to make history, if injuries do not plague them and everyone stays focused.
Great pre-season article. Let's just hope UNC realizes what they have, and take full advantage of it!!
3 months ago
Each one of those players will be very hungry to come back from the embarrassment against KU! Thanks for the comment, though.
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