2012-13 College Basketball Preview #5 North Carolina Tarheels

#5 North Carolina Tarheels

RECAP

The Tarheels finished 32-6(14-2) with a loss to Kansas in the elite eight.

KEY LOSSES

Harrison Barnes 17.1Pts, 5.2Reb, 1.1Ast
Tyler Zeller 16.3Pts, 9.6Reb, 0.9Ast
John Henson 13.7Pts, 9.9Reb, 2.9blk
Kendall Marshall8.1 Pts, 2.6Reb, 9.8Ast

KEY RETURNERS

Reggie Bullock 8.8 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 1.4 Ast
James McAdoo 6.1Pts, 3.9Reb, 0.3Ast
P.J. Hairston 5.7Pts, 2.2Reb, 0.8Ast

NEWCOMERS

Marcus Paige PG 6’1″ 170lbs
Brice Johnson PF 6’9″ 220lbs
J.P. Tokoto SG 6’6″ 200lbs
Joel James C 6’9″ 250lbs

OVERALL

The Tarheels will lose a lot of talent but the good thing in Chapel Hill is that they don’t rebuild they reload. For most teams to lose four potential lottery picks could mean total devastation but the Tarheels can replace the four former All Americans with four former All Americans. Led by McAdoo who was one of the top freshmen coming in last season should have a break out season. He started out slow but played well down the stretch especially in the absence of Henson. During the post season Barnes seemed to struggle and this led to Bullock stepping up as one of the Tarheels more consistent players on the perimeter. He looks to expand on his solid play down the stretch and become a real star at UNC. Hairston is extremely athletic and deadly shooter who will depended upon as a big scorer in his second season. UNC adds another talented freshmen class lead by Paige who will look to replace Marshall as the next great point guard to wear baby blue. Johnson is almost a Henson clone similar build and athletic ability will be very important to the inside alone with James who is a huge body. They also return Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald from injury who add veteran leadership. It’s a lot of unknowns on this year squad but the one thing that is known is there is a lot of talent their so Tarheels fans shouldn’t expect anything less than a Final Four.

#6 Arizona Wildcats

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