UNC Basketball: Why John Henson Is Tar Heels' Most Important Player vs. Duke

North Carolina forward John Henson will need to dominate defensively for the Tar Heels if they are to defeat Duke at Cameron Indoor on Saturday, and avenge their loss to the Blue Devils from a few weeks ago.

Henson has taken his defensive skills to a new level since joining head coach Roy Williams in North Carolina, and his shot blocking has been hugely important to the team's success this season.

Henson has racked up 251 blocks thus far in his career, which is not far behind former Tar Heels center Brendan Haywood's school record of 304 blocks.

"

“It is impressive,” Coach Roy Williams said of Henson’s blocks tally to ESPN, “especially considering his freshman year, he spent so much time out away from the basket, trying to guard people on the perimeter until we had those injuries. He’s been really dominating defensively -- and not just with the blocked shots, but sliding his feet and cutting off the passing lanes and helping the guards.” 

"

North Carolina will need Henson to set the tone defensively in the hostile environment that is Cameron Indoor. Henson is the most important player for the Tar Heels on Saturday, because if he doesn't shine in the paint at both ends of the floor, North Carolina will have a tough time winning.

His tremendous length and athleticism allows him to make plays when he's in good position, but even when he gets beaten off the dribble, Henson can recover well and still make a good play defensively.

"

“He’s extremely long, and he’s the only person I’ve ever seen that can consistently get to my hook shot – it’s pretty tough to block, but he can get up there and change it and challenge it,’’ 7-foot teammate Tyler Zeller said. “I have so much confidence in him in the post, that when he goes up and misses it, I’m sometimes surprised.” 

"

Against Duke back on February 8, Henson scored 12 points and impressively grabbed 17 rebounds in a last second loss.

He did however, have just one block in that game. Henson was not his usual dominating self in the paint during that game. He must improve and be more active in the paint for North Carolina to win on Saturday against the Blue Devils.

If Henson can be effective on defense and limit Duke's effectiveness in the paint, then the Tar Heels will earn a huge victory on the road to give them the confidence they need heading into the ACC tournament next week.

Follow @NicholasGoss35