[canesboy6Participant]

If its possible, I think alot of people are sleeping on them next year. They return alot of talent and bring in the number 2 recruiting class.

My crystal ball told me that Ed Davis is going to eat somebody this year.

Can somebody please put up the article from espn “carolina not blue” because im poor and not an insider?

also, anybody care to share thier predictions of what the tar heels are capable of?
I really think they are one of 6 title contenders, in Order KU, Texas, Kentucky, MSU, Villanova and of course UNC. Id be willing to bet my house one of those teams wins it all.

[McWinningParticipant]

just to let you know Aran will delete this post when he sees it because he could be sued by espn or something like that.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

I am a North Carolina fan but I think they are just too inexperienced in the backcourt to win it all. Larry Drew is going to have to run the point. I like his game but I definitely don’t think he is ready to lead a team deep in the tourney this year. Leslie McDonald & Stickland are good but in the ACC they aren’t going to make that big of an impact IMO. I don’t think they can compete with some of the other teams you mentioned especially in the tournament when the pressure is really big.

[jeff416Participant]

North Carolina should be good next year they have a chance to win the championship next year but I dont think they will because tey have no pg but I do think they will win the ACC.

[Ryan.Cook2Participant]

Welcome to Campus

John Henson, 6-10, PF (No. 6 ESPNU 100)
The McDonald’s All-American made his name on a deft face-up game and savvy moves in the high post. Henson hits campus at an, ahem, lithe 185 pounds, but his moves have already put him on teammates’ radar. “His highlights were on the news every night,” says Ginyard of Henson’s play at the North Carolina Pro-Am, an annual league featuring ACC players and vets. “He was impressive, to say the least.”

Leslie McDonald, 6-4, SG (No. 32 ESPNU 100)
In his element, McDonald is a smooth and creative playmaker, who can hit midrange Js or use his athleticism to get his shot. His size and insane wingspan should help him get on the floor to mine opponents’ passing lanes for steals.

Dexter Strickland, 6-3, G (No. 27 ESPNU 100)
Strickland’s speed-based game took a knock as he played through a meniscus tear last season. After a May surgery, Strickland was back in fifth gear at the same Pro-Am as Henson. He’ll play both off the ball at the lead guard as Coach Williams mixes personnel, but when Strickland’s at the point the Heels will have a shot at a Ty Lawson pace.

Hole to Fill: Outside Shooting

Transition 3s from everywhere kept defenders from running straight to the hoop to defend Carolina’s break. As a top-20 shooting team (they shot 38.7 percent from three), the Heels got steady outside shooting from the Lawson-Ellington backcourt and F Danny Green (all +40 percent shooters), and a few “even YOU?!?!” daggers from Tyler Hansbrough. Neither Will Graves, Larry Drew or Ginyard has demonstrated the touch from beyond the arc to keep defenses honest. Perhaps one of the newcomers will.

[+] EnlargeJoe Murphy/Getty Images
All Larry Drew II has to do is step into Ty Lawson’s shoes. Good luck.

New Role: Larry Drew II

His 1.4 ppg (with an under 10 mpg average) last season doesn’t bode well for an offense hoping to keep opponents from doubling its willowy bigs. To that end, Drew has spent most of his summer back home on the West Coast (Encino, Ca.) to iron out the kinks in his jumper. Even in high school, Drew was never a fill ‘er up kind of point (13.9 ppg and 9.2 apg as a senior) but now that he’s helming a backcourt that lost two deep threats, he’ll have to knock down a few even as he keeps the team apace. There’s a lot riding on Drew’s ability to multitask. “The type of guy Larry is, he takes a lot of pride in setting guys up,” says Ginyard, “but I think this summer he’s spent most of his time trying to improve personally. I can’t wait to see what he’s done.”

Summer Buzz

While the freshmen have been playing on and off campus, the upperclassmen have spent most of the summer outside of Chapel Hill. As mentioned above, Drew’s been in Cali; Deon Thompson traveled to Serbia with USA Basketball for the World University Games; and Ginyard says he’s down to about 210 pounds (after hitting a personal high of 230 last January) after workouts in his native Virginia. The exception was breakout sophomore Ed Davis, who spent the whole summer in Chapel Hill expanding his offensive repertoire and lifting weights. Look for him to build on the 6.7 ppg and 6.6 rpg (and team-high 65 blocks) he put together as a sub last year.

Team Twitter

Some players journeyed a little farther than others. Davis’ travels this summer took him as far as … Charlotte.

EdDavis32: Antawn Jamison camp for a few hours then back to chapel hill. [sic]

Elena Bergeron is a staff writer for ESPN The Magazine.

[spencerishawesome]

Duke Vs. UNC next year

Who do you guys got?

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Its close I think. They will split games- Duke will win @Duke & UNC will win @Chapel Hill. It is tough to win on the road in college. Especially if there isn’t a big difference in terms of talent.

[romeeezybabyParticipant]

let alone Tyler Zeller & Deon Thompson. I can honestly see them winning the ACC (either regular season or tournament championship). It’s going to be a tough feat to replace players like Hansbrough, Lawson, and Ellington by not just a talent standpoint, but those three were looked upon as leaders, Hansbrough especially.

[spencerishawesome]

Really? Nobody at Duke can hold Deon Thompson or Tyler Zeller? I mean, they are ok players but I’m not overly concerned about them going off on Duke at this point in time.

Henson will probably be tough, but Duke has a lot of guys with similar skill sets(wing-forward guys) that should do a decent job on him.

Ed Davis is the only one who is concerning, but I’m more worried about his defense/rebounding/shot blocking then his offense.

[HaleParticipant]

I think UNC will be better then Duke this year. They have an amazing frontcourt that Duke just won’t be able to handle. UNC’s backcourt is young and unproven but very talented and I think thye match up alright with Duke’s. Look for UNC to win the ACC and return to the Elite 8 or Final 4. I see Duke as a Sweet 16 team, Elite 8 at very best.

[jeff416Participant]

UNC should win Duke is not very deep nd I think UNCs bigs will be to much to handle for duke.

[Author]

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