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| 9. NORTH CAROLINA |
LAST YEAR: 22-14 |
'99-00 RANK: #11 |
 Why No. 9?: The Tar Heels would be higher with Parker. But they can still climb if they get a consistent point guard threat out of either Adam Boone or Brian Morrison. The rest is in place to make a run at a national title. Brendan Haywood maximizes his shots as well as any center in the nation. But he's got to get the shots, sometimes taking only a few a half. The forwards, when healthy, are tough to matchup against with Kris Lang and Brian Bersticker both outside threats. Julius Peppers provides the beef inside, but won't be off the football field until late November. Jason Capel can be more assertive, but is a threat to take anyone deep for a 3-pointer or post-up for a spin move layup. If Boone and/or Morrison can direct simply set up Joe Forte then they've done their job. Forte is the No. 1 shooting guard returning, making scoring on the perimeter look too easy. Forte will get more attention defensively without Ed Cota, making Boone or Morrison even more important. They've got to take some pressure off Forte, although he finds a way to get out of traps for buckets. Experience at every position but point guard makes this team extremely dangerous. So, too, does the energy that Matt Doherty will bring to the bench. The Tar Heels looked lifeless in stretches during the regular season before a March transfusion sent them on a Final Four run. Doherty will energize the crowd and the team with his daily presence. Notre Dame fed off it and North Carolina should, too.
Will Climb If: Boone and Morrison make the transition, Ronald Curry comes back to play after football (he missed last season with an Achilles injury) and Haywood doesn't disappear in games. Games against possibly Tulsa in the first weekend, at Michigan State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and home games against Kentucky and Miami (Fla.) give the Tar Heels chances to build confidence and avoid a midseason swoon like last year.
Will Fall If: The point guard position is a disaster and the Tar Heels get hit with an injury up front. Losing Parker took away their depth.
Bilas Breakdown | HTV's Take | Team Page
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"UNC is right where we want to be. We are in the top 10, but not a target. All the pressure is on Duke and Maryland in the ACC. Look out, as X factors Ron Curry and Julius Peppers mesh with the other weapons on the court. Brian Morrison is a pure athlete and Boone presents more of a scoring threat at the point This will alleviate Forte of some of the pressure he'll feel will all of the preseason hype. The Heels will be dangerous this year."
Daren Rhyne, Atlanta, Ga.
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