University of North Carolina Athletics
Brewer: Young Tar Heels Maturing
December 5, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2002
By Rick Brewer, SID Emeritus
If the first few weeks of the season are any indication, this may be the second straight unusual basketball season at Carolina.
Last year was unusual as the Tar Heels suffered their first losing season since 1962. This year is likely to be strange as a young team works through some growing pains.
Carolina has generally played well in the first few games of the year, certainly better than many people had expected. However, at other times, the team has struggled both offensively and defensively.
Coach Matt Doherty knew that would be the case. Inexperience almost always leads to inconsistency and this is certainly an inexperienced Tar Heel team.
A starting lineup that includes two sophomores and three freshmen make this youngest team in Carolina history. At least Jawad Williams and Jackie Manuel have played one collegiate season. But, newcomers Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants and Sean May are having to learn under fire.
Sophomore Mevin Scott and freshmen David Noel and Byron Sanders are among the top four reserves. Only senior forward Will Johnson has seen extensive playing time in his college career.
With improvement from the sophomores and the addition of the freshmen, Carolina has much more athleticism than a year ago. Unquestionably, the Tar Heels have much more quickness and speed than last season.
That quickness has allowed Carolina to score frequently on fast break opportunities or on its secondary break. Offensive problems have come when the team has been in its halfcourt offense.
That's no surprise to Doherty. It simply takes time to learn how to efficiently run the Tar Heels' set offense. But with the talent of his young players, the Carolina coach knows that will come. Fans simply must have patience as the offense develops.
The areas where an inexperienced team has the most problems are defense and rebounding. That's especially true with the multiple, changing defenses that the Tar Heels play. Carolina's athletic ability can overcome some of those defensive shortcomings.
That has been evident with the way the Tar Heels have taken some teams completely out of their offenses with pressure on passers. That has forced opponents to make hurried passes and led to steals and fast breaks.
However, transition defense is a different concern. It will simply take time for Carolina to develop into the sound defensive team that Doherty wants.
Carolina doesn't have great size and been out-rebounded in most games. Quickness and pure athletic ability has sometimes offset other teams' inside power. But, the Tar Heels are still learning the proper way to box out under the boards.
All players must constantly work to improve their basic fundamentals. That's especially true of young ones. Better decision-making will also only come with playing time.
Inconsistency has to be expected with improvement needed in so many areas. But, with the talent on hand that improvement could come quicker.
This team should be exciting to watch. No one will have any idea what to expect from game to game. Experience, maturity and coaching should eventually begin to cut down on mistakes and inconsistent play.
Then great performances such as the ones in the pre-season NIT can be expected on a regular basis.
Carolina's rugged, early-season schedule can also only help the maturing of the team.
Games in the pre-season NIT, at Old Dominion and at Illinois immediately have put this young team under fire.
Next up are Kentucky, annually one of the nation's top teams, and Vermont, which was 21-8 last season. The Wildcats posted a 22-10 record a year ago and finished first in the Southeastern Conference's eastern division. The Catamounts won the America East championship. Both teams return four starters from last season.
The Tar Heels have traditionally played tough opponents in December. It was always Dean Smith's philosophy that those games game prepared Carolina for Atlantic Coast Conference play.
In addition such a schedule would eliminate anyone from getting false impressions about his teams. His players would also become more aware of the areas where they needed to improve the most.
Doherty is certainly using that same plan this season. Before Carolina really gets into ACC competition, the team plays in the ECAC Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden, travels to Miami (24-8 in 2002) and faces Davidson (21-10 last year). There is also one December league game at Florida State and a home game with Connecticut in early January.
The Holiday Festival features three New York teams, two of which were 20-game winners last season.
But, the Tar Heels' major concerns now are Kentucky and Vermont. "You know you're playing one of the top teams in the country anytime you face Kentucky," says Doherty. "Fans around here may not know a great deal about Vermont. But, this is a team that has much more size than we do."
Another concern for Doherty is the time of the year these games will be played. Kentucky comes at the beginning of exams and Vermont immediately after finals.
"Heading into the Kentucky game we have guys getting ready for finals," says the Tar Heel Coach. "During the exam period we will miss practice time. That makes the Vermont game even more dangerous."
The players will then get a short Christmas break before the Holiday Festival. Then there is a six-day break before the trip to Miami. That will give a young team much needed practice time.
However, it's these types of situations that should help Carolina later in the season.
Rick Brewer is in his fourth decade with the University of North Carolina athletic department and brings a unique historical perspective to TarHeelBlue.com. A native of North Carolina, Brewer served as UNC's Sports Information Director from 1975 until his retirement from full-time work in 2000. Email Rick Brewer at rbrewer@uncaa.unc.edu.
