University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Tip Off 2015-16 With Late Night With Roy.
October 24, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Turner Walston
by Turner Walston
CHAPEL HILL–The nation's preseason #1 team tipped off the 2015-16 season with Late Night with Roy Friday night in the Dean E. Smith Center. While the Tar Heels will get down to business at practice 11:30 tomorrow morning, Friday's Kenny Smith-hosted program was a variety show of dancing, comedy, music and a little bit of basketball. Highlights included performances from UNC Bhangra Elite, Harmonyx, the Carolina Dance team and the Mu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, stepping in honor of their brother and longtime Late Night host Stuart Scott. Sage Steele was on hand to pay a heartfelt tribute to her ESPN colleague, and the university honored Scott with a Tar Heel Trailblazer Award.
As far as on-the-court action, not too much can be gleaned from a 20-minute, running clock intrasquad scrimmage, but following are some observations:
•Junior Isaiah Hicks continues to look more comfortable at the power forward position. Hicks was forced to play more on the wing as a freshman, but last year he moved back to his more natural spot in the post. Though he did miss a dunk and take an ill-advised three-pointer, he showed the energy and enthusiasm that he can bring down low. Hicks led all scorers with 14 points (unofficially) and led his White team to victory.
Senior center Joel James said Hicks was the teammate he was most looking forward to seeing play against live competition. “He can do so many things,” James said. “We've all seen it in practice and pickup, the things that he can do, but it's time for the world to see it. you just got a really glimpse of the player he can be. The kid's amazing.”
•Theo Pinson scored five quick points for the Blue team, in some of his first full-court action since a nagging foot injury has slowed him in preseason practice. Pinson looked healthy running the floor, but Roy Williams has been cautious in bringing him back to full-speed. Williams said afterward he hoped Pinson would be able to complete a full practice this week. “I'm happy to see him back on the court,” fellow sophomore Joel Berry said of Pinson. “I'm eager to see what he'll bring to us . . . Theo's a great player, so he's going to bring a lot for us.”
•Brice Johnson led the Blue team with eight points (again, unofficially). The senior forward displayed his well-known knack for squeezing his frame between defenders and finding his way to the basket, but also showed a strength that has continued to increase in his time in Chapel Hill. Johnson isn't as easily pushed around in the post anymore, and he's learned to play with a balance of strength and agility.
•Sophomore wing Justin Jackson is one to keep an eye on in 2015-16. Jackson, who scored seven points on Friday, began to come into his own as a college basketball player late in his freshman year, and the rise continues. Jackson has an uncanny ability of making it easy for teammates to find him in scoring positions. His movement without the ball is tremendous; he can catch and score in a manner not unlike former Tar Heel Antawn Jamison (albeit at a different position).
•Walk-on Toby Egbuna worked the boards and scored four points. Egbuna, a Carolina JV alumnus, joined the team officially last week. “Toby brings that night in and night out, every day in practice,” James said. “That's Toby. He's a big body that likes to throw his weight around and shoot hook shots over guys. He's going to be valuable piece to our team, because he brings a different look to scout team and things like that. He can stretch the floor with his jumper. He's a valuable piece of our team.”
