2012: UNC vs. Kentucky
Let’s say they all return…far fetched?
Let’s say they all return on both sides…farther fetched?
Well, let’s pretend that all players decided to return to build media brand and rise with the ship for a big 2012 title run. How does a UNC/Kentucky matchup look on paper?
Net gain/loss…
- UNC: loses Knox; bringing in McAdoo, Hairston, and Simmons
- Kentucky: loses Harrelson; bringing in Gilchrist, Teague, Davis, and Wiltjer
UNC minutes…
| Player | Year | Minutes |
| Marshall | So | 28 |
| Strickland | Jr | 21 |
| McDonald | Jr | 15 |
| Hairston | Fr | 14 |
| Watts | Sr | 0 |
| Bullock | So | 15 |
| Barnes | So | 28 |
| Simmons | Fr | 0 |
| McAdoo | Fr | 23 |
| Henson | Jr | 28 |
| Zeller | Sr | 28 |
Kentucky minutes…
| Player | Year | Minutes |
| Knight | So. | 28 |
| Teague | Fr. | 24 |
| Lamb | So. | 27 |
| Liggins | Sr. | 19 |
| Miller | Sr. | 19 |
| Hood | Jr. | 0 |
| Gilchrist | Fr. | 28 |
| Jones | So. | 28 |
| Wiltjer | Fr. | 0 |
| Davis | Fr. | 27 |
Great matchups…
- Marshall vs Knight
- Strickland vs Teague
- McDonald vs Lamb
- Hairston vs Liggins
- Watts vs Hood
- Bullock vs Miller
- Barnes vs Gilchrist
- Zeller vs Jones
- McAdoo vs Wiltjer
- Henson vs Davis
On the perimeter…
Let’s assume that players progress equally relative to one another in the offseason. Kentucky introduces more speed at the PG spot with Teague, but UNC is able to counter at the 2-3 with more fresh bodies on defense.
In the post…
Again, assuming that players progress equally relative to one another. Kentucky is able to counter UNC offense with more disruptive bodies on defense, especially with Gilchrist guarding Barnes and Davis guarding Henson. Jones and Zeller is essentially a wash of All-Americans. I’d take McAdoo over Wiltjer by not as much as you’d think, but the real advantage to UNC is that McAdoo may see much more opportunity to contribute than Wiltjer.
So, prediction…
Kentucky by 2 points:
- Speed at the PG spot
- Senior leadership from Liggins & Miller
- High ceilings on Gilchrist and Davis
- They won the last meeting, so they get the benefit of the doubt, for now…
UNC becomes an overpowering force inside. With the addition of McAdoo and Simmons they will be deep. Barnes will become a dominating player over the course of the summer and fall unlike anything we have seen at Chapel Hill for a long time. This team is already a good defensive team and will become a great one. With the Jason Kidd-like Kendall Marshall improving his shot and becoming smarter and more mature, and if Bullock, Mcdonald, and Hairston come alive and become the shooters they’re supposed to be. With a healthy Stickland leading the defensive effort and improving on his shooting and finishing in transition, this team could be as dominant or more so than the 2009 UNC team. This team should avg. in the high 80′s or low 90′s scoring and with unstoppable lock down defense.
Hell yea I hope everybody comes back. Let’s go Tarheels!!!
I have heard some say Roy would be selfish to ask the starting 5 to return. Is it selfish to dream?
Is it selfish, to make dreams come true? Is the new statistic 1 and done ? Sure their dreams and ambitions are to play in the NBA. There are no guarantees about their futures. There is a totally different experience in college compared to the NBA. The new additions can only improve the Heels. Roy was successful in Kansas and already 2 championships at UNC. Instead of people feeling this way,just join the rest of us fans and cheer for #3.
I have been a Tarheels fan since the days of JIMMY BLACK & AL WOOD running the show in Chapel Hill I’m glad everyone decided to come back.