UNC Basketball: 6 Special Lineups for the 2014-15 Tar Heels
Carolina head coach Roy Williams will have endless options in the upcoming 2014-15 season.
The Tar Heels have size, talent and depth, which means that Williams can mix and match his rotation to fit the situations that his squad will face.
Here are six possible lineups that we could see when the ball goes up for the first time in UNC's first game, which takes place November 14 against North Carolina Central.
Here we go!
Player info provided by GoHeels.com.
The Tar Heel Toddlers
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Roy Williams has brought in some awesome young talent in the last two recruiting classes.
He has been successful in stocking his roster with elite-level players who can match up with just about anyone in the country.
While Williams may not go with this group very often, he would not have to cross his fingers and hope that they could battle with the best teams on UNC's schedule.
All five of these young guns were McDonald's All-Americans. Wow! They are each likely to play significant roles on this coming year's roster.
Firepower? You bet!
I like this crew.
The Weathered Veterans
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OK. This is the least likely bunch that will be on the court together at the Smith Center.
Could Simmons, Hubert and James play in the same lineup? Hmmm?
It would be a horrible shooting team. The front-court trio has yet to even attempt a three-pointer in their years in Chapel Hill.
Tokoto is not exactly a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, either.
But these are the Tar Heel upperclassmen (along with Luke Davis). They have been through a lot in their time at UNC.
They carry a lot of experience and bring a level of veteran "good sense" to their place on the 2014-15 Carolina roster.
The Lockdown Posse
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Marcus Paige (G)
J.P. Tokoto (F)
Theo Pinson (F/G)
Isaiah Hicks (F)
Joel James (F)
If Roy Williams wants to shut the Tar Heels' opponents down, this lineup has some intriguing possibilities.
Tokoto's UNC bio reminds us that he "earned ACC All-Defensive team honors from both the media and the league's head coaches." He may be one of the best on-ball perimeter defenders in the country.
Young Mr. Pinson will be another menacing wing who will use his length and athleticism to torment shooting guards and small forwards.
Because Hicks is moving back to his natural power forward position this coming season, we will see him improve leaps and bounds at both ends of the court.
While James may be limited on the offensive end, he has proven to be a solid rim protector and rebounder in limited duty.
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The All-Floor-Burn Bunch
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Nate Britt (G)
Joel Berry (G)
Theo Pinson (F/G)
Jackson Simmons (F)
Isaiah Hicks (F)
This may be another improbable quintet, but they are all players who are reckless with their bodies. They do not hesitate to go sprawling on the floor for loose balls.
Britt quietly delivered some undercover nastiness during his freshman campaign. His UNC bio points out that he was "UNC's defensive player of the game eight times, the second-most on the team (Louisville, UNCG, Texas, Syracuse, 2/22 vs. Wake Forest, at NC State, Providence and Iowa State)."
Berry is tough and strong, and he will do whatever it takes to help the Heels win ball games.
Simmons is a blue-collar guy who loves to mix it up with just about anyone, anywhere.
Williams could dispatch this bunch to introduce a little chaos and confusion.
The Small-Ball Ballers
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Joel Berry (G)
Marcus Paige (G)
J.P. Tokoto (F)
Theo Pinson (F/G)
Brice Johnson (F)
If Williams does not mind giving up height, strength and low-post play on both ends for short stretches, this unit could drive some sluggish squads loopy.
These players could outmaneuver many teams with their quickness and agility alone.
I am looking forward to seeing Berry and Paige play, at times, in the same lineup. What they give up in size, they will excel in raw backcourt ability.
By spacing the floor, any one of these five could break down opponents. Slashing and gashing would be an ongoing reality.
The Get-out-and-Run Attackers
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Marcus Paige (G)
Justin Jackson (G/F)
J.P. Tokoto (F)
Brice Johnson (F)
Kennedy Meeks (F)
This is the most potent lineup combo. Period. Cut them loose and...oh, my!
Paige is exceptional at getting the ball on the move and pulling up from deep. Opponents cannot back off of him anywhere this side of half court.
Jackson and Johnson will get out and fill the lanes like guards. Tokoto is a highlight reel waiting to happen in the open court. Transition points will happen in bunches.
Meeks plays a critical role here. He may be the best outlet passer in the college game. Eventually, he could be considered in the same category as Wes Unseld, Bill Walton or Tim Duncan at snapping off a sharp toss to start the break.
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