Can UNC Go Undefeated? With Six-Plus Future NBA Players, I Say Why Not?

KEEVEN KUATE aka DJ KEY

I say they can go undefeated.

It would be the first time in 32 years, since Bob Knight led Indiana to an undefeated team in 1976. 

As watching the Oregon-UNC game, I'm stunned how Roy Williams' squad is making basketball look easy. Now I understand why they are the consensus number one team in college basketball this year. I cannot see a team that can match up against their 11-deep squad (now 10 that Tyler Zeller is out).

Seriously, they have six NBA-ready players, and it looks like they will run away with the non-conference games they have scheduled, the ACC regular season title, ACC tournament title, and the national championship without any problem.

I really mean that (other than if the injury bug keeps taking away players—freshman Tyler Zeller is out for the season, and Tyler Hansbrough has been injured).

It was good to see number 50 on the floor against Oregon tonight (16 points), and he'll continue to make his case to win his second Player of the Year award and lead UNC to what should be an undefeated season (I hope I do not jinx that).

Zero points for Stephen Curry tonight, by the way, but they won by 30. Interesting...

Anyways, let's take a look at their six future NBA players.

PG Ty Lawson

He has matured since coming to Chapel Hill as a freshman. He's got great handles and anchors this team well, knowing how to distribute the ball to his many playmakers. His points per game have risen each year (10.2 as a freshman to now 15.3 early this year), and so has his Assist to Turnover ratio, which gives him great value for the NBA draft.

This season will definitely raise his stock. He's probably a first round pick—all he has to do is play like he always does and not get injured this year. I'd want him if I owned an NBA franchise. 

SG Wayne Ellington

This sharpshooter makes bigger and bigger shots each game. One huge shot that I can think of right now is when he decided to torch the Clemson Tigers for 36 points, including a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it. Yeah, he made a lot of friends on campus that night.

I say he is the second-best shooter in the nation this year, behind Stephen Curry. The one advantage he has, though, is that opposing teams cannot double him all game, as everyone on UNC is a threat to score. Watch him go bananas from the three-point line this year.

All he needs to prove now is that he is the complete player and ready for the NBA. He is another first round pick if he leaves. 

G/F Danny Green

"The Manu Ginobili of College Basketball." I seriously mean that too—he's been coming off the bench for the past four seasons and becoming a household name (well, at least in North Carolina), while not even starting for Roy Williams but making shots anytime he is on the court playing.

Another great shooter, Green scored a career high of 26 points off the bench this past Monday. One does not have to be a starter in college to make an impact in the NBA. I say late first round, early second, but it's early in the season, so who knows what may happen? Oh and he's got five three-pointers tonight—just saying. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?