UNC Basketball: Mismatches Tar Heels Are Dreading in 2015-16

As good as the North Carolina Tar Heels are expected to be during the 2015-16 season, there are going to be a number of players who cause them problems over the course of the year.

The Tar Heels recently released the season's schedule, which features an unsurprisingly tough run through the ACC as well as a number of intriguing battles during the nonconference portion. There should be no surprises when future NBA players and other top stars show up on the opposing side of the court.

While UNC has a deep lineup full of competitors to handle tough challenges, there are a few opponents who stand out as potential mismatches. These players have the ability to change games on either side of the court and make the Tar Heels suffer in the process.

Although the next few names aren't necessarily the best players on North Carolina's schedule, they are the toughest matchups the team will see this year.

Damion Lee, Louisville

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While many are expecting Louisville to drop off a bit this year, Damion Lee will have other plans. The former Drexel star transferred in the spring and will be eligible right away for the Cardinals, a much-needed addition for a team that lost Terry Rozier, Montrezl Harrell and Wayne Blackshear from last season.

Lee was one of the top scorers in the nation a year ago, ranking fifth in the NCAA with an average of 21.4 points per game. At 6'6" with good athleticism, he knows how to drive into the lane and finish at the rim. Of course, he can also knock down outside shots, hitting 38.5 percent from three-point range as a junior.

Even if he doesn't get the green light as often with Louisville as he did at Drexel, Lee is someone who is always a threat to score 30 points on a given night.

This assignment would have gone to J.P. Tokoto last season, but now it will likely come down to Theo Pinson on the defensive end. While he has the size (6'6", 195 lbs) and athleticism, the sophomore needs to show he has the discipline to handle such a big task.

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

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It's difficult to rack up high point totals in Virginia's slow offense, but Malcolm Brogdon had no problems producing when he played North Carolina. In two games, the guard combined for 42 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range.

For the year, the 6'5" Brogdon averaged 14 points per game and was a major reason the squad spent most of the season near the top of the polls. With Justin Anderson gone, the senior should have an even bigger role offensively with a chance to really be a thorn in the side of North Carolina.

The Tar Heels once again only have a single regular-season game scheduled against Virginia (Feb. 27), but it will likely be an important one late in the year. There is also a possibility for a rematch in the conference tournament.

If the defense can't figure out a way to slow him down, it could cost the squad a chance for an ACC title.

Demetrius Jackson, Notre Dame/Anthony Barber, North Carolina State

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It's cheating a bit to put the two players together, but Demetrius Jackson and Anthony "Cat" Barber have one important trait in common: unbelievable quickness.

Jackson was a little overshadowed last season at Notre Dame behind Jerian Grant, but he still averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 points per game. This year, it will be his team to run, and fans are expecting great things.

Barber had a similar situation with Trevor Lacey being the go-to option at North Carolina State before departing at the end of the year. Interestingly, he also provided similar numbers to Jackson during his sophomore campaign (12.1 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game).

This year, both Barber and Jackson should be the stars on NCAA tournament teams, with defenses everywhere trying to figure out ways to slow down either player. Neither one of them will be easy to keep out of the lane.

Both games might be a chance to see what Joel Berry II is capable of on the defensive end.

Melo Trimble, Maryland

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The toughest game on the nonconference schedule will certainly be Big Ten/ACC Challenge battle against former conference rival Maryland. The Terrapins enter the year with a loaded roster, including DraftExpress-projected-first-round picks Diamond Stone and Jake Layman. But the team's toughest matchup will be point guard Melo Trimble.

Unlike Jackson or Barber, Trimble doesn't have elite quickness or athleticism. What helps him succeed is craftiness and an impressive amount of control running the offense.

Trimble's best attribute is the ability to get to the free-throw line. He drew an impressive 6.3 fouls per 40 minutes last season, according to KenPom.com, which helped him finish fifth in the nation with 199 made free throws.

If Marcus Paige attempts to defend him and go for steals like usual, the result could be North Carolina's best player getting into foul trouble early. That wouldn't be ideal for one of the top regular-season matchups in the nation.

Tonye Jekiri, Miami

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North Carolina will face a wide variety of quality big men over the course of the season, from nonconference foes like Tony Parker (UCLA) or Diamond Stone and Robert Carter Jr. (Maryland) to ACC rivals like Zach Auguste (Notre Dame) or Jaron Blossomgame (Clemson). 

Each of these players provides a unique skill set that could cause problems, although the deep front line of Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks and Joel James should be able to handle most challengers.

One of the most feared players, however, might be one who is the least well-known of the bunch. Miami center Tonye Jekiri returns for his senior year and could be one of the most imposing players in the nation.

The 7'0", 248-pound Nigerian has turned himself into an elite defensive player, leading the ACC with 10.2 rebounds per game last season and ranking fifth with 1.45 blocks per game. He has also more than doubled his scoring per game in each of the last two seasons. 

Jekiri has been raw throughout most of his career, but he is one of the few big men in the country capable of physically handling the UNC frontcourt and potentially succeeding.

Brandon Ingram, Duke

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Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor are gone, but Duke reloaded with a new class of players who are capable of having a great year. The squad will now likely be led by Brandon Ingram, the No. 3 recruit in the 2015 class, according to 247Sports.

The 6'9" Ingram has the size of a power forward but is actually a skilled perimeter talent with one of the best pure jump shots in the class. His ability to elevate over the defense and get his shot off will allow him to have a great freshman season with the Blue Devils.

While North Carolina has its own tall perimeter player in 6'8" Justin Jackson, he struggled with his on-ball defense for much of last season. Until he shows a bigger commitment on that end of the floor, the Tar Heels will have few options to defend a player of this caliber. 

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