NCAA Tournament 2011: 5 Reasons Why UNC Will Win a Championship

After a disappointing 2010 season, the North Carolina Tar Heels started 2011 off with less than a bang, going 8-4 through their first twelve games.

The story appeared to be the same as last year.  Roy Williams had a squad that was too young, too inexperienced, and too lackadaisical for primetime NCAA basketball.

However, after a January 16th, 78-58, shellacking at the hands of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets it all seemed to click into place. 

Since then the Tar Heels have been arguably the hottest team in the nation, ripping off wins in 16 of their last 18 games leading them right into Friday's Sweet Sixteen matchup against the Marquette Golden Eagles.

Their are many reasons for the turnaround, but five of those reasons stand alone as major factors for why the Tar Heels could hang their sixth championship banner from the rafters of the Dean Smith Center.

5. Attitude

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: A North Carolina Tar Heels reacts while the Tar Heels take on the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The North Carolina Tar Heels throughout the 2010 disappointment and leaking into the rocky start of 2011 season frequently seemed to lack focus, and exhibited laziness on both ends of the floor.

Lack of focus and laziness on the basketball court comes down too one thing. Attitude.

The Tar Heels frequently got out muscled, outrun, and just out worked on a game by game basis and it was obvious the young and inexperienced Tar Heel squad were not buying into Coach Roy Williams system.

During the turnaround in 2011 the Tar Heels improved their attitude and played focused basketball, and they played with a purpose. 

Harrison Barnes began to realize he had to work for baskets, John Henson began to use his length on the defensive end and the Tar Heels righted the ship by playing basketball the way Roy Williams teaches it.  Fast and focused.

In the round of 32 matchup against the Washington Huskies, the Tar Heels managed to eke out a win in the waning minutes with several defensive stops. A Barnes steal, a block by ACC defensive Player of Year Henson, and an even bigger inbound pass deflection by Henson would propel the Heels to victory in a nail-biter. 

If the Tar Heels want to continue their winning ways, especially as things begin to wind down in March, it all starts with an attitude based around hard work, focus, and a refuse-to-lose mentality.

4. Roy Williams

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on while taking on the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlott

Roy Williams has faced tough tasks throughout his coaching career.

Namely leading the 2005-06 inexperienced Tar Heels team to a 23-8 record, a three seed in the tournament, and an eventual heartbreaking loss to the Cinderella, George Mason Patriots. 

The task in 2011 was similar. Guide a young and inexperienced team further than most non-Tar Heel fans would predict them to go.  While the 2011 team is far from a defending champion like the 2005 squad, the expectations always ride high in Tar Heel country.

While it may have taken a rocky beginning to get them there, Williams has this Tar Heels team peaking at the perfect time. 

Williams has the experience of coaching all different types of teams and it shows through in the way he has molded the talented but wet-behind-the-ears talent of this year's Carolina team. 

If the Tar Heels wish to continue dancing, make no mistake about it, Roy Williams will play a vital role in this team's success in the huddle and the locker room.

3. Kendall Marshall

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Kendall Marshall #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass against Venoy Overton #1 of the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 201

Savvy.

One word to define a pleasant surprise running the offense for the North Carolina Tar Heels, Kendall Marshall.

Since taking over the point for Larry Drew II, Marshall has turned this offense around. His ability to facilitate the offense and get the right players the ball at the right time has turned this team from a pretender into a contender.

Marshall, meanwhile, has only averaged six points and six assists a game. While he is still a work in progress shooting from the perimeter and finishing at the rim in traffic when he drives the lane, Marshall displays excellent court vision and always seems to be one pass ahead of everyone else.

If the Tar Heels wish to continue in this years tournament, they will have to keep turnovers to a minimum and it all begins with Marshall. 

If the freshman can continue to keep his cool against some of the best teams in the country will decide if this team can cut down the nets in Houston.

2. John Henson

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: John Henson #31 of the North Carolina Tar Heels goes up for a rebound against Darnell Gant #44 of the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20,

While it was tough to go against junior Tyler Zeller on this one, Henson at this point is also hard to deny. 

Henson's ability to control the boards and alter shots in the paint gives this Tar Heel's team a dimension few other teams have the privilege of having at their disposal.

Averaging almost 12 points per game, 10 rebounds a game, and 3.2 blocks a game, Henson is quickly becoming the force in the paint that Tar Heel's faithful hoped he would eventually become.

Henson's maturation and confidence has allowed Tyler Zeller to control the interior offense as he is capable of while Henson cleans up the mess on the offensive glass.

The ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Henson had a crucial block against Washington in the round of 32, and ultimately deflected the inbound pass with seven seconds left and all but sealed a Tar Heel victory.

As the competition gets tougher, and a potential matchup with monster freshman Jared Sullinger looms in the potential Elite Eight matchup, Henson must continue to bring his shot-blocking abilities, rebounding, and continue to progress on the offensive end. 

If he does so, I wouldn't want to see this Tar Heels team.

1. Harrison Barnes

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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots over Darnell Gant #44 of the Washington Huskies during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charl

Coming out of Ames, Iowa, Harrison Barnes had as much pressure and media attention as any freshman in the country.

After being dubbed a first-team All American as a true freshman on a Tar Heels team in recovery cemented the already lofty expectations placed on the young man.

For the first part of the year, the expectations looked overblown and preposterous as Barnes failed to perform. He looked lost on offense and was searching for an identity at the collegiate level.

Today, those games seem impossible when watching Barnes take the court for North Carolina. 

Hitting game winners over Miami, and Florida State on senior night in Tallahassee, Barnes showed that not only is he talented, but clutch as well. 

Make no mistake, Barnes can score in any way he wants. He is a true NBA talent and has a winning attitude that is hard to replace. 

In 2003, Syracuse had Carmelo Anthony. In 2011, North Carolina has Harrison Barnes, and while the championship ring is still missing from the latter's finger, it may not be for long.