UNC Basketball: 5 Takeaways from Tar Heels' Opening Games

Through two games, North Carolina is 2-0 as expected. Early-season contests against the likes of North Carolina Central and Robert Morris are not supposed to pose threats to Carolina's record. They are supposed to be learning opportunities for the coaching staff, players and fans.

Some of the events of the first two games are inconsequential.

J.P. Tokoto did not start the Heels' opening game against NC Central. It was apparently because of some mistake he made in a previous practice; i.e. the move was irrelevant in deducing how coach Roy Williams wishes to configure his rotations.

UNC also committed too many fouls that first game, but that is something that goes with the territory of young players and November games.

However, not everything is worth glossing over. Even just two games into the season, there were a few interesting takeaways from the Tar Heels' opening week.

Williams Prefers Big Lineup

Lance King/Getty Images

In each of the first two games of the season, Roy Williams has started a four-forward lineup in favor of playing small with Marcus Paige at the 2-guard.

The normal lineup he prefers seems to have Marcus Paige and J.P. Tokoto in the "backcourt." Yet in that first contest, with Tokoto starting on the bench, Williams still went with Theo Pinson, another wing, in the starting lineup, over playing a guard alongside Paige.

It is an interesting early development because of Williams' desire to play Nate Britt at point guard with Paige so often last season.

Britt is a flawed and limited player. Again, it is too early to know for sure, but it seems as though Williams has been resigned to that truth as well. Britt's struggles in 2013-14 may also have factored into Williams' current lineup trend. He doesn't want to make the same mistake with Joel Berry that he did with Britt.

Or, the staff just really loves Tokoto at the other guard spot. His 10 assists in game two help that argument even if he'll never be a shooting threat from outside.

Isaiah Hicks Will Get a Chance

Lance King/Getty Images

All offseason it seemed evident that Isaiah Hicks would finally be given a true shot at contributing to this team at his natural position. Last year, the fit at small forward was forced and did not go well. However, early on in 2014-15, Hicks is getting heavy minutes as the team's third big, something he is more naturally slotted for and deserving of.

In game one, Hicks played 14 minutes, took five shots and attempted seven free throws.

In game two, he played another 14 minutes and took eight more shots, along with another pair of free throws.

Only one time all of last season did Hicks see even 14 minutes of action. He attempted five shots in a game zero times, and his season high in free-throw attempts was four.

With the re-engineered depth chart, it was only logical to have Hicks move into the backup power forward role. It is nice to see him actually getting a chance early on.

Free Throws Are Still Going to Be a Problem

USA TODAY Sports

Against NC Central, the Tar Heels shot a rather poor 20 of 30 from the line. Next game, things were much improved as they went 27 of 36.

However, this problem is not going away, mainly because of who on UNC keeps drawing all the fouls.

Marcus Paige is a great foul shooter. He doesn't get to the line all that often, though (5 of 5 thus far this year).

J.P. Tokoto is a bad free-throw shooter but also gets to the line sparingly.

The players who are going to accumulate many of the foul shots this season are the bangers down low: Brice Johnson, Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks. They've already taken a combined 35 free throws in two games.

The bad news is, much like in James Michael McAdoo's career, quantity doesn't equal quality. Getting to the line is a valuable skill for sure. However, to avoid what happened last year, Hicks and especially Johnson and Meeks are going to have to make more than 60-65 percent of their attempts. Or else, teams are going to start using the foul as a tool against UNC even more.

The Freshmen Will Not Be Rushed

USA TODAY Sports

Justin Jackson has started the first two games of his career, yet Roy Williams hasn't forced his minutes, keeping him under 25 in each game.

Theo Pinson started game one but has played just 30 combined minutes in two games.

Joel Berry is also below the 30-minute mark in two games played.

It is easy to see why everyone was excited about this trio of freshmen, but North Carolina will not be relying on them this early on, which is a good thing.

The returning guys down low have dominated the action thus far, and Paige is still getting good looks around the perimeter. Pinson and Berry have especially seemed like afterthoughts, just getting some touches here and there.

Jackson is in the flow much more, notching 17 field-goal attempts already, but he has yet to find his range from the outside.

All of this just goes to show that not every incoming freshman star is going to be ready at the same instant. It's common sense, but it's also something that not every team has the smarts or luxury to follow. UNC has both this season.

UNC Can Bring Back the B-Team

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

It has been a Roy Williams staple to occasionally yank an entire lineup and replace it with a different group of five. This power move is used to bring energy into the game while also inflicting embarrassment upon the first five.

For UNC this season, the "second five" will certainly be a possibility, and it may not end up being such a talent downgrade either.

In these first games, Williams has rotated in everyone from Marcus Paige down to Sasha Seymore. However, 10 guys have seen double-digit minutes and as many as 11 seem like real contributors.

The rotation cannot stay this expanded all year of course. North Carolina has talent coming off the bench, though. That is for sure. With a second unit made up of Hicks, Desmond Hubert, Pinson, Berry and Britt, Carolina has incredible athleticism throughout.

It would be a bad sign for the team if Coach Williams needed to pull this power move too often, but it would be incredibly interesting to watch that second group fly up and down the court.