It is going to be here before you know it. The college basketball season is right around the corner and Phenom Hoops wants to take their shot at previewing teams around the country for this upcoming season. All throughout the upcoming weeks, we will be previewing teams for this upcoming season, so be sure to check out all the latest talk.
North Carolina Tar Heels
2020-21 Season:
Record: 18-11 (10-6)
Points per game: 75.2
Rebounds per game: 42.9
Assists per game: 15.3
Points allowed: 69.9
Top Performers 2020-21:
Points per game: Armando Bacaot (12.3)
Rebounds per game: Armando Bacot (7.8)
Assists per game: Caleb Love (3.6)
Field goal percentage: Armando Bacot (62.8)
Changing up the style of play'
It has been known when you play North Carolina over the years, they are going to be bringing the heat with their big men, usually starting two that can help dominate the boards. They have been like that for years and have found a ton of success. But under Coach Davis, will he mix it up a little' The roster can suggest that as Armando Bacot will continue to be a dominant force down low and help dominant the boards but they are also bringing in a few key transfers. 6'11 forward Dawson Garcia is the big name and that it should, as he averaged 13 points, 6.6 rebounds, shot 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. Brady Manek, a 6'9 transfer from Oklahoma, also comes in and can stretch the floor with size but also help on the boards. Then they also have Virginia transfer Justin McKoy, who is yet another forward that can stretch the floor but brings size. Could there be a little transformation in how the Tar Heels operate, especially with their bigs'
Growth of Caleb Love and RJ Davis
If UNC is going to make a run in the ACC and be a serious contender, I do believe that Caleb Love and RJ Davis are going to be a key part of that. Both are very good talents, they were able to get their feet wet last year as freshmen but they will need to take the next steps as sophomores. Love really showed what he is capable of providing late last season, really having some big games and helping lead the charge. Davis also had some solid showings as well. But both need to elevate their level of play and both have the talent to be real forces in the ACC. Both will need to become better shooters and become better offensive threats on the floor.
Three-point shooting
There is no getting around it, North Carolina has struggled TREMENDOUSLY from behind the arc over the last two years. Back in 2019-20, they shot 30.4 percent from three, which was the worst in school history, and then backed it up shooting 31.8 percent from three, second-worst in school history. UNC will have to find more success from outside to help rack up the wins and find more success. Kerwin Walton certainly helps, as he shot 42 percent from three and could be considered one of the top shooters from deep in the conference. But the other guards will need to find more success (Love 26.6%, Davis, 32.3%, Leaky Black 22.2%, Anthony Harris 25.0%) while the forwards mentioned above will need to help as well stretch the court and knock down outside shots also.
Key Stat To Watch:
The 3-point shooting is certainly one to watch but since we mentioned that above, North Carolina will also need to find improvement from the free-throw line, as they ranked 14th in the conference from the line at 66.8 percent.