UNC Basketball: Stock Watch for Tar Heels' Top Players
A lot has changed for North Carolina since last season. New players have entered the fray; new contributors have emerged.
As the season has gone on, these guys have developed and matured at different rates, influencing the team's success in varying amounts.
With just seven games remaining in the regular season, now is the perfect time to take stock in how all of the Tar Heels' top players are doing in their progress. Heading into mid-February, with postseason play on the horizon, Carolina needs all its guys playing up to their potential if it hopes to shine.
Marcus Paige
1 of 7
Starting point guard
Stock: even
The 2014-15 season got off to a rocky start for Paige. He wasn't nearly living up to the high preseason expectations. Subsequently, even with injuries mounting, Paige picked up his scoring and efficiency with the start of conference play.
Recently, his scoring and shooting have leveled off. He still isn't getting to the foul line often enough, but Paige is the team's best and most reliable shooter.
Even if he is not going to finish as an All-American when the season is over, Paige can be counted on to perform in March.
J.P. Tokoto
2 of 7
Starting shooting guard
Stock: down
The gaudy assist totals from the beginning of the year have plateaued, as has Tokoto's reliability. Night to night, there is no telling whether UNC will get good J.P. or awful J.P.
Good J.P. knifes through the paint on offense, taking the ball hard to the rim or dishing it out for open looks for a teammate. Bad J.P. pulls up for terrible jumpers and launches passes that get easily intercepted.
The turnover figures are too much to put up with from a player shooting just 41.6 percent from the floor.
Justin Jackson
3 of 7
Starting small forward
Stock: even
Starting every game from day one as a freshman is impressive enough that it deserves recognition. Jackson has also been a good two-point shooter and finisher all season, with few blips to the contrary.
His outside shot has been a mess, however, most likely due to confidence issues. His rebounding and defense need work, and he needs to add some mass to his frame.
But, for a first-year player, Jackson has been a solid contributor. There has been little change in his performance even once conference play began. If anything, as the season has gone on, he's become a bit more aggressive, at least within the confines of the offense.
Jackson needs to start doing a bit more to be a game-changing player, but he's off to a nice start.
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Brice Johnson
4 of 7
Starting power forward
Stock: even
For Brice Johnson, it has been an up-and-down season to date. Johnson is a great athlete, especially on the offensive end. He can finish well at the rim and has a nice turnaround game.
But there is a lot to be frustrated with in regards to Johnson, as well. The defensive effort and smarts are not there play to play. He commits silly fouls every game. He rarely looks to pass out of the post when the shot isn't there or a double-team comes, instead forcing up a shot.
And yet, North Carolina desperately needs his scoring and rebounding.
Kennedy Meeks
5 of 7
Starting center
Stock: down
After an incredibly hot start to his season, one that was head and shoulders above his performance from last season, Meeks has slowed big time in recent weeks.
This is to be expected considering Meeks is still adjusting to his minutes and new body frame. It would have been unrealistic to think early-season Meeks would last 30-plus games.
As his stamina and strength grow, the big man could play full seasons at his double-double peak. For now, the downslide isn't anything to be ashamed of.
Nate Britt
6 of 7
Backup guard
Stock: up
Entering the year, not much was expected of Nate Britt. It was even assumed that freshman Joel Berry would usurp his backup point guard duties. Instead, Britt has been a whole new player from where he was a year ago.
Last year, Britt couldn't hit a shot as a lefty. He looked tentative and slow with the ball, as well. Now, as a righty, everything seems different. Britt is confident in the offense and has even emerged as the second-best Tar Heel from distance.
He also plays fast with the ball and allows Paige to slide off the ball. Britt has been a very pleasant surprise this year.
Isaiah Hicks
7 of 7
Backup forward
Stock: up
The only player on UNC who has improved more than Meeks or Britt since last year is Isaiah Hicks. As a freshman, Hicks was an almost completely useless player.
He barely saw any court time; he was lost when he did play.
Now, the talent is finally catching up to the production, and Hicks seems to be getting better on a daily basis.
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