Season Preview

Harrison Barnes

1. North Carolina


2010-2011 record: 29-8 (14-2 ACC)


Games against NCAA Tournament teams: 10
Best non-conference game: 12/3 at Kentucky



Projected Starting Five:




F - Tyler Zeller (Senior)
F - John Henson (Junior)
F - Harrison Barnes (Sophomore)
G - Dexter Strickland (Junior)
G - Kendall Marshall (Sophomore)




There isn't much up for debate: North Carolina is clearly the best team in the ACC.  Roy Williams has had three core groups of players that have been outstanding since he's been in Chapel Hill.  The first was Felton/McCants/May. The second was Lawson/Hansbrough/Ellington/Green.  And now there's this class of players, led by Harrison Barnes.


Barnes came in with so much hype last year.  It took him a while to get into his groove in the offense, and once he did he started shooting and didn't stop. I thought he shot a little too much at times, but at points he was brilliant.  He is joined in the frontcourt by John Henson and Tyler Zeller, two guys who are definitely capable of putting up big numbers.  Henson has to be a guy that NBA scouts are drooling over, with his long arms and high motor.


But the main guy who makes this team go is Kendall Marshall.  The turning point last year came when the Tar Heels parted ways with Larry Drew, who never lived up to his potential.  Marshall stepped in and was terrific.  He isn't the biggest scorer, but can make shots when called upon.  He is an excellent distributor and runs Carolina's fast break very well.  James McAdoo is the most highly ranked freshman coming in, but will have a hard time getting playing time behind Carolina's other more experienced players.


North Carolina has a pretty solid schedule.  They already started things out by beating Michigan State by double digits in that aircraft carrier game.  The big matchup is a game in Rupp Arena against a Kentucky team that knocked them out of the NCAA Tournament last year.


The Tar Heels certainly have the talent to win it all for a third time under Roy Williams.  They should end up with a very gaudy record, and win the ACC easily.  It is really hard to find a weak link with this team.  The only thing I would caution is that many people felt the same way about Duke last year, and then they had a significant injury and couldn't get it done.  As talented as Barnes is, Marshall is the one guy they can't afford to get hurt.  As long as he can stay healthy and in the game, this is one tough team to beat.