Getting ACC basketball ready

Spotlight: North Carolina Tar Heels

Coming off of a fantastic year, where it all went the Tar heels way; a national championship, three first round draft picks to the NBA and did I mention a national championship? Carolina looks to fill the void left by those who left whether by NBA draft or by graduation. The heels have many spots to fill and it may take some time for those players to come into their own with the team. Trying to replace the outstanding point guard Ty Lawson is Larry Drew II. Larry has improved on his shooting and he was a highly rated point guard coming out of high school, but trying to fill the void of an all world point guard who could do it all can be a little pressure packed. I think Drew II will fit in nicely, Coach Roy Williams has a way of molding players into what he needs at the moment he needs a floor general and Larry Drew II has the where- with- all to make it happen.

Another void left by that class from last year is the sharp shooting guard Wayne Ellington and this is where it may be a little different this year. Marcus Ginyard will be asked to step up, last year Ginyard was out for the majority of the season with an injury as he watched his team win another national championship. Now the cheerleader from last year will be asked to be a big time leader and play maker. Ginyard’s specialty is defense, he is a gutty defender who makes things happen converting defense into offense for the Tar heels. This year Ginyard will be asked to not only play that tenacious defense but will also be asked to perform more of a leadership role. Considering he is a senior this year he will take it on himself to push the tar heels back to the top of the ACC.

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Finally the biggest spot to fill will be that of Tyler Hansbrough, the all world power forward did it all for the Tar heels last year (and every year he played). It will be difficult not only to replace the scoring and rebounding but it will be especially difficult to replace the fierce competitive nature Hansbrough brought to the floor every night, so what will Carolina do? They will have two guys try to fill the void left by number 50, Deon Thompson and Ed Davis will try to make it happen for the heels this year. Deon Thompson is a veteran of the game who has been a solid double-double guy and the Tar heels will need him even more this year. Ed Davis is a super star in the making with his length and his aggressive play he could be, with a little more bulk, a force to be reckoned with as the year progresses. Carolina will need both of the players to come up big time for the heels to make a run for another national championship.

North Carolina will make a run as they do every year; with the coaching of Roy Williams the heels always have a shot at another championship. The Tar heels are loaded with talent and have an all world freshman in John Henson, this year could be a good year for the Tar heels.

By: Sam Adams
ACC Fans Staff Writer