University of North Carolina Athletics
What To Watch For: Belmont Abbey
November 6, 2014 | Men's Basketball
NOTE: This article originally appeared in the November 4 issue of CAROLINA, the official magazine of Tar Heel athletics.
The freshman wing is quickly making an impact in Chapel Hill. In the Tar Heels' exhibition win over Fayetteville State two weeks ago, Jackson started and led the team with 18 points, going 3-4 from the three-point line. Watch the way Jackson always seems to be around the ball, making the easy play for himself and his teammates.
Nate and Joel
A pair of point guards, sophomore Nate Britt and freshman Joel Berry II played well together against the Broncos. Britt and Berry combined for 18 points, six assists and five steals, bringing energy off the bench and sparked the Tar Heels' second unit, teaming with Theo Pinson, Isaiah Hicks and Joel James or Desmond Hubert. Roy Williams has to love the bevy of ball-handlers available off the bench. Look for this combo to continue to push the pace on Friday.
Johnson had something of a quiet night in the Tar Heels' first exhibition, tallying just six points but hauling in 13 rebounds. The junior is playing at a weight 40 pounds heavier than when he arrived in Chapel Hill in 2012. As he learns to play in his new body, look for Johnson to assert himself more forcefully.
Belmont Abbey
The Belmont Abbey Crusaders were 11-16 a year ago and finished seventh in Conference Carolinas play. The Abbey elevated Martin Unger head coach in early October after seven years as an assistant and associate head coach. Unger, who worked on Leonard Hamilton's staff at Florida State in the early 2000s, will field a young club, with just two upperclassmen. Senior guard Justin Kuhlman averaged 11.1 points a year ago and handed out nearly four assists per game. Junior transfer Robbie Sterling scored nearly 8 points per game two seasons ago at Johnson & Wales.
