ACC Conference Predictions: UNC (11-5)

Lawrence Jordan: The media picked the Tar Heels to finish atop the ACC once again this year due to their incoming freshmen class and returning big men. I hate to anger my Tar Heel brethren, but I think this is too lofty a prediction.

Everyone knows the losses, due to graduation and NBA entry, the Heels faced over the offseason. For the Heels to succeed they need:

1. Upperclassmen leadership: Ed Davis and Deon Thompson are leading the way in the front court, and Marcus Ginyard's shooting percentage has increased from the outside (as has his arch). Davis or Thompson needs to step up and be the "go to" scorer in crunch time. I support Davis...
2. Freshman production: Not one freshman is among the top six scorers on the team. TOs are up. Lost defensive match-ups are up. Their playing time is down. Henson is the biggest disappointment so far, as he appears to be struggling at learning his new position.
3. Solid guard play: Larry Drew currently leads the ACC in assists per game, but he is also averaging more than 3 TOs per game. The guards need to protect the ball and hit the open perimeter shot. Both areas need improvement.
4. Hit open shots: The team will have to take points that are given to them: open outside shots and FTs. Both areas have been a struggle this season.

The talent on this years Tar Heel team is blatantly obvious, but so is the lack of experience. The imbalance of talent, heavily favoring the front court, will be abused by other ACC team. UNC will finish in the top 3 in the ACC, but significant improvement is needed to contend for the title.

Schedule Notes:

• No Clemson in Chapel Hill this year - yearly unbeaten steak automatically extended. Feels kind of dirty since they field a good team.
• No FSU game in Tallahassee - I'm going to miss seeing brews served at college game on television.
• UNC's 4 game win streak in Durham falls.

Games:
VT: W
@ CLEM: L
GT: W
WAKE: W
@ NCST: W
UVA: W
@ VT: L
@ MD: L
DUKE: W
NCST: W
@ GT: L
@ BC: W
FSU: W
@ WAKE: W
MIA: W
@ DUKE: L