The Buzz words from the North Carolina Tar Heels at the 2024 ACC Basketball tip off were fast and athletic. We all know that the Tar Heels play fast but expect them to play even faster. Coach Hubert Davis expects this to be the fastest team in the country as far as pace and the Heels have the personnel to play at a rapid pace. UNC has the right mix of veterans returning with an infusion of talented freshmen.
Leading the charge will be RJ Davis. The 5th year point guard has the opportunity to close out a remarkable career with a return trip to the Final Four and will be an extension of the head coach on the floor. RJ has a chance to move up the UNC scoring ranks but is focused on winning. Accolades are great but Davis wants to wash away the sting of a painful loss to Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen. Seth Trimble and Jalen Washington will also play key roles this upcoming season. Washington will be tasked with replacing Armando Bacot, one of the most prolific bigs the ACC has seen. Carolina's offense is fueled by stops and securing rebounds and Washington will be tasked of anchoring the paint. Trimble will lead the defensive charge on the perimeter. Trimble entered the transfer portal but stated that Carolina is always where he wanted to be.
Carolina has high level talent coming in. One name that stood out is Drake Powell. Both Trimble and Davis stated that Powell is already one of the best defenders on the team. Powell's athleticism has NBA scouts intrigued as a pro prospect and he has received rave reviews so far in camp. Ian Jackson will add scoring punch to the backcourt. The 6'4 guard from the Bronx will bring that New York tenacity to the backcourt. James Brown will have oppornities to contribute to the frontline. Throw in these talented freshmen with the improvement of sophmore Elliot Cadeau and the Tar Heels will have plenty of fire power and depth.
Carolina will be tested early. UNC doesn't waste any time challenging themselves as they have a battle with Kansas early in the season. The Jayhawks most likely will be preseason #1 team heading into the season. Throw in the Maui Invintational and a rematch vs Alabama will help the Tar Heels prepare for another late March run. Carolina had the lead late in the Sweet 16 but couldn't finish. Will the influx of youth with the veterans get the Tar Heels back to the Final Four?
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