Lucas: Depth Finder

Carolina's depth features a solid mix of upperclassmen and youngsters.

Photo by: Josh Reavis

August 21, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers, Adam Lucas

The Tar Heels showed the potential for solid depth in Nassau.

By: Adam Lucas

By Adam Lucas

First, a note of caution: team depth always looks better when you're facing outmanned opponents. But with that caveat in place, it's easy to come away from Carolina's trip to the Bahamas encouraged about the 2018-19 Tar Heel depth.

Consider the depth chart, and keep in mind that one of the most intriguing parts of the roster is that multiple players can play multiple positions. Roy Williams has three high-performing seniors and/or graduate students in place, with Luke Maye, Kenny Williams, and Cam Johnson likely to see significant minutes. Johnson did not play in Nassau as he continues his recovery from offseason surgery, but should be full speed for the start of the season.

The junior class is led by Seventh Woods, a candidate to start at point guard, and also includes Brandon Robinson, a high-energy reserve who has the potential to be a tough defender.

In addition to the spot contributions of Andrew Platek, who looked more comfortable in the two exhibitions, the sophomore class is noteworthy for the post triumvirate of Sterling Manley (started both games in the Bahamas), Garrison Brooks and Brandon Huffman, all of whom had moments in Nassau when they showed improvement. Most importantly, their maturation would allow Maye to roam from the block and make the best use of his inside/outside scoring abilities. "Garrison has shot the ball a lot better, and Sterling has played a lot harder," Maye said.

Brooks indicated he has gained 15 pounds during the offseason. "I feel more in shape," he said. "I'm able to let things come to me. Last year, I would run around like a chicken with my head cut off."

That leaves one of Roy Williams' most highly touted freshman classes of the decade, with all three players showing signs this weekend of being able to make significant contributions. Coby White will challenge Woods for the point guard spot, and could also play alongside Woods as a scoring guard (comparisons are dicey, but there were moments this weekend when White showed more than a passing resemblance to the scoring knack of former Tar Heel standout Joseph Forte). Taking care of the ball will be paramount in the point guard competition. With this many scoring options, the point guard won't have to be a swashbuckling risk-taker; he just needs to ensure the Tar Heels get the opportunity to take a shot.

One of those shot-makers is Nassir Little, who has unique talent and athleticism and seemed to score effortlessly this weekend. Even while posting double-figure performances in both games, it never really felt like he was hunting points. And then there's Leaky Black, who was impressive in an extended point guard stint on Saturday. With Woods, White, Black and Platek if needed, the Tar Heels have plenty of point guards, a position which the Tar Heels have learned can never be too deep.

Platek provided good insight on the next challenge for the talented rookies when more structured practices begin in late September. "The new guys are really good and they're really good for a reason," he said. "They have to keep being aggressive while playing within the system that Coach gives us. He's won his titles for a reason, so it makes sense to listen to him."

So with that type of talented depth, it's imperative to have good chemistry. It's the nature of college basketball that at some juncture during the season, someone will be sitting more than they ever have before in their basketball career.

The best quote on the laid-back nature of the trip, where one of the primary goals is building team chemistry, came from Kenny Williams, who said, "We can have fun in a box." The Tar Heels can also have fun on a catamaran, where they spent some quality time on Sunday's off day.

That's a tone that will be set largely by the seniors. "My goal is to make sure everyone is having a good time," Maye said. "I want everyone to understand we're here to play basketball and also to learn how to play together. We want to have some fun."