Welcome to the Hoos Place 2019 Summer Hoops Refresh, where we review last season and this summer’s personnel moves for all 15 ACC programs in alphabetical order. To read program capsules already complete, you can click here. Today we look at the…

North Carolina Tar Heels

Roy Williams’s best seasons at UNC have relied on an oft-overlooked element of roster stability; he usually relies on 3- and 4-year stars and rides that chemistry and experience to deep annual runs. But the Heels saw two one-and-dones last year, and overall 6 key rotation players are gone. Will stud freshmen and grad transfers be enough to keep them at the ACC’s top?

Coach: Roy Williams; 871-234 in 31 seasons overall, 453-133 (196-74) in 16 seasons at North Carolina.

2018-19 Record: Last season: 29-7 (16-2); ACCT semifinals (2 seed); NCAAT Sweet 16 (1 seed)

2018-19 Efficiency:

Roster Roundup:

*Projected starters in bold

2019/20 ACC Opponents:

Outlook:

This is a pretty startling amount of turnover for Roy. Three senior starters, two one and dones, and a veteran rotation player transfer, all this offseason. Roy responded with a busy spring, picking up last minute commitments from 5-star guard Anthony, 4-star guard Harris, and two of the more sought-after grad transfers in the market in Keeling and Pierce. The Tar Heels run more complicated systems than many give them credit for; Roy’s secondary break attack requires a well-oiled machine, and he typically rolls out solid defenses that veterans thrive in. But this year, he returns only one player with more than 12 mpg’s experience. Last year he was able to at least partner his one-and-dones with some proven veterans like Williams, Johnson, and Maye. This year, who’s the voice of experience in the locker room?

Predicting the rotation at this point is a bit of a crap shoot. Cole Anthony, one of the best HS point guards in years, is a lock to start at the 1. Garrison Brooks as the only returning starter will anchor the post rotation. Everything in between is up for grabs. Robinson is a former consensus Top 75 recruit who’s entering his final season hoping to finally break out. Keeling was a 1st-Teamer All-Big South, but it’s a big step up to the ACC. Rechon “Leaky” Black has an excellent HS pedigree and good measureables, so he’s arguably the best fit to step in at the 3. At the 4, Williams will have to choose between the 3rd Team All-CAA selection Pierce, two junior role players in Manley and Huffman, and the 5-star freshman Bacot.

This roster will let Roy play with the 2-traditional-big look he preferred in his Final Four run seasons in 2016 and 17, with five intriguing options for the 4 and 5. But at guard, the lack of proven depth may be a bit of concern. Anthony, freshman Harris, Robinson, Keeling, and Black will carry the load at the 1-3, but will they be able to do so as efficiently as their predecessors? Defense is also going to be a bigger concern for the Tar Heels, could fall into the back half of the conference if the newcomers don’t quickly gel. A down year across the top of the league should enable the Tar Heels to win a number of games purely on talent, though they’re still likely due for some hiccups through January as they work on finding their comfort zone. Should contend for a conference tournament double-bye with a Sweet 16 goal at the end of it all.