UNC Basketball: Dexter Strickland's Torn ACL Will Doom Tar Heels

Dexter Strickland was a much more critical part of the North Carolina Tar Heels than it may seem.

Now he's done for the season with a torn ACL, according to CBSSports.com.

Strickland, a 6'3" junior, doesn't have eye-popping stats; he averaged 7.5 points, 2.1 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 18 games for the Tar Heels. But he averaged 24.3 minutes for UNC, shooting 57 percent from the floor and, most importantly, was a great lockdown defender.

The Tar Heels don't have to worry about a drop in offense with Strickland out. Reggie Bullock and P.J. Hairston have shown they're more than capable of scoring. But Strickland's defense will be sorely missed in the Tar Heels' bid for a national championship. He was their best perimeter defender and it would be shocking if teams didn't capitalize on the loss for the rest of the season.

North Carolina certainly has a shot to still contend with Bullock and Hairston. But I find it unlikely that they'll win the title without the headstrong Strickland. He had become too much a part of the team since last season and his defense, and experience, will be sorely missed come March Madness.

Although their loss against Florida State on Jan. 14 is a bit concerning, the Tar Heels should be fine for the time being, their next four games coming against unranked opponents. But their matchup against No. 4 Duke on Feb. 8 will be the biggest indicator of where they're at. Duke is averaging 80.9 points per game this season, 10th in the nation, and just scored 91 points against Wake Forest.

It's easy to look at UNC's stars—such as Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller—and say they'll be alright. But the lack of Strickland on the perimeter will turn out to be glaring on the defensive side of the ball, and I foresee trouble on the horizon for the No. 8 Tar Heels.