2017-18 North Carolina Basketball: What to Expect

The 2017-18 North Carolina Tar Heels are looking to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament after a disappointing end to last season. Here’s what to expect from this year’s team.

2017-18 North Carolina Basketball Team

The 2017-18 North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team will represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the 2017-18 NCAA Division I men’s Basketball season The team’s Head Coach is Roy Williams who is in his 15th season as UNC’s head men’s basketball coach The Tar Heels play their home games at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill North Carolina as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference

Team Preview

The 2017-18 Season will be an important one for the North Carolina Tar Heels After a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, the Tar Heels will be looking to prove that they are still one of the top teams in the country. Here is a preview of what to expect from the Tar Heels this season.

The Tar Heels will have a new look this season, as they will have a new head coach in Roy Williams. Williams is a North Carolina legend, and he will be looking to get the Tar Heels back to their winning ways. The Tar Heels will also have a new point guard as Joel Berry II will take over for the departed Marcus Paige. Berry is a gifted scorer, and he will be looking to lead the Tar Heels back to the NCAA Tournament

The Tar Heels will have a talented roster this season, as they return several Key Players from last year’s team. Justin Jackson is one of the best scorers in the country, and he will be looking to build on his strong sophomore season. Theo Pinson is an gifted athlete who can do a little bit of everything, and he will be an important piece for the Tar Heels this season. Luke Maye had a breakout performance in last year’s NCAA tournament and he will be looking to build on that success this season.

Tar Heels will have high expectations this season, as they are ranked in the top 10 in most preseason polls. Tar Heels have all the pieces in place to make a run at the National Championship this season, but it will not be easy. Tar Heels will have to deal with some tough competition in the ACC, but if they can live up to their potential, they should be in store for a special season.

Player Preview

The University of North Carolina men’s Basketball team will look to build on their successful 2016-17 campaign in which they won the NCAA National Championship The team will have to replace key contributors such as Justin Jackson and Kennedy Meeks, but they return a core group of players that will look to lead the Tar Heels back to the title game. Here is a preview of the 2017-18 North Carolina Tar Heels.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are a talented team that is loaded with experience. The team is led by senior guard Joel Berry II, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 NCAA tournament Berry averaged 14.7 points per game last season and will be looked upon to be the leader of this year’s team. Also returning from last year’s championship squad are Theo Pinson, Luke Maye, and Kenny Williams. All three players will be key contributors for the Tar Heels this season and will provide leadership for the team.

Theo Pinson is a versatile 6’6” wing who can do a little bit of everything on the court. Pinson averaged 10.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season while playing multiple positions for the Tar Heels Pinson is an excellent defender and has shown the ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc when called upon. Luke Maye had a breakout performance in last year’s NCAA tournament and will look to build on that success this season as he takes on a larger role for the Tar Heels Maye is a 6’8” Power Forward who can stretch the floor with his shooting ability while also providing a physical presence in the post. Kenny Williams is a sharpshooter who will likely come off of the bench for North Carolina this season after starting 16 games last year. Williams averaged 9.3 points per game last season while shooting 42% from three-point range

In addition to their experienced returning players, North Carolina also has a talented group of newcomers that should make an impact this season. The headliner of the freshman class is 6’10” center Jalek Felton, who is ranked as one of the top prospects in his class by many scouting services. Felton has terrific size and athleticism and should be able to contribute right away for North Carolina this season as he provides much-needed depth in the frontcourt behind Maye and Williams

Schedule

The 2017-18 season will feature a loaded non-conference slate, as the Tar Heels will face off against five teams that made the 2017 NCAA Tournament That includes a pair of meetings with Kentucky, as well as showdowns with Oklahoma, Michigan State South Carolina and in-state rival Davidson.

Expectations

The 2017-18 season is finally here for the North Carolina Tar Heels After a disappointing end to last season, the Tar Heels are looking to Bounce Back and make a run at the National Championship With a talented mix of returning players and newcomers, this UNC team has the potential to be one of the best in recent memory. Here are a few things to keep an eye on as the season unfolds.

Can Luke Maye Build on His Breakout Year?
One of the biggest questions surrounding this UNC team is whether or not Luke Maye can build on his breakout performance from last season. As a sophomore, Maye was one of the most pleasant surprises for the Tar Heels averaging over 12 points and 10 rebounds per game He will be counted on to be a leader for this UNC team, and if he can build on his success from last year, the Tar Heels will be a tough team to beat.

Will the Newcomers Be Able to Make an Impact?
The Tar Heels have a talented group of newcomers that will be looking to make an immediate impact. Freshmen such as Jalek Felton, Brandon Huffman, and Rechon Black will all be expected to contribute right away. If any of these newcomers can develop into key rotation players, it would go a long way towards helping the Tar Heels reach their goals for the season.

Can Justin Jackson Take His Game to Another Level?
After an up-and-down junior year, Justin Jackson will be looking to have a big senior season for the Tar Heels Jackson is UNC’s leading returning scorer, and he will be counted on to provide leadership and scoring punch for this team. If he can take his game to another level and become more consistent, Tar Heels will be one of the favorites to win it all.

These are just a few things to keep an eye on as UNC looks to rebound from last year’s disappointment and make a run at the National Championship With a talented roster and high expectations, this should be an enjoyable season for Tar Heel fans.

Analysis

The 2017-18 North Carolina basketball team is one of the most talented and deepest in recent memory. Head Coach Roy Williams has a plethora of weapons at his disposal and will look to lead the Tar Heels back to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus.

Led by senior guard Joel Berry II, North Carolina will be a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end of the court. Berry is a two-time ACC All-Conference selection and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2017 NCAA tournament after averaging 17.1 points per game He will be joined in the backcourt by another talented senior, Theo Pinson, who is one of the best all-around players in the country.

In the frontcourt, North Carolina has a duo that is as good as any in college basketball Senior forward Justin Jackson is a two-time ACC All-Conference selection and was named the conference’s player of the year last season after averaging 18.3 points per game He will be joined by Luke Maye, who had one of the most breakout performances in college basketball last season when he hit the game-winning shot to upset Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament

With a core group of experienced and battle-tested players, North Carolina will be a force to be reckoned with in 2017-18 and should have no problem making a return to the NCAA Tournament

Game-by-Game Predictions

The 2017-18 North Carolina Tar Heels will look to win a National Championship for the sixth time in program history and the first time since the 2009-10 season. Head coach Roy Williams enters his 15th season at the helm of the Tar Heels and he will have a veteran team that is loaded with talent. Here is a game-by-game prediction for North Carolina’s 2017-18 schedule.

1. vs. Elon – W
2. vs. UVa – W
3. at Ohio State – W
4. vs. Davidson – W
5. vs. Louisville – L
6. vs. Michigan State – W
7. at Tennessee – W
8. vs. Wake Forest – W
9. at Virginia Tech – L
10. vs Miami – W
11. at Pitt – W
12. vs Notre Dame – L
13. vs Syracuse – W
14 Georgia Tech – W
15 Duke – L
16 Clemson – L
17 Virginia -W
18 Florida State –W

19-21 ACC tournament

22-24 NCAA Tournament

NCAA Tournament

The 2017-18 North Carolina Basketball team has the potential to be one of the best teams in recent memory. They have a deep and talented roster that includes five-star recruits, experienced upperclassmen, and role players who know their strengths and weaknesses. The only question mark is how well they will mesh together and how coach Roy Williams will manage all the egos.

The Tar Heels should have no trouble making the NCAA tournament and they will be a force to be reckoned with once they get there. If everything comes together, they could make a run at the National Championship

Conclusion

The 2017-18 college basketball season is nearly upon us, and there is plenty of excitement surrounding the North Carolina Tar Heels After a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, the Tar Heels are looking to bounce back and compete for a National Championship With a talented roster and a tough schedule, UNC should be one of the most fun Teams to Watch in the country this season. Here’s what to expect from the Tar Heels in 2017-18.