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University of North Carolina Athletics
Roy Williams on the ACC Network set on Tuesday morning in Charlotte
Photo by: Robert Crawford
GoHeels Exclusive: ACC Operation Basketball Notebook
October 8, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
CHARLOTTE – Nearly two weeks removed from North Carolina's first practice, Garrison Brooks, Brandon Robinson and Roy Williams traveled to Charlotte on Tuesday for the ACC's annual basketball media day, held at the Marriott City Center.
All three met with reporters for about 45 minutes before fielding questions at the dais during a 12-minute press conference. Here are seven notes from what they had to say:
Filling a large void
After setting a school record for made 3-pointers, the Tar Heels don't return any of their top five scorers (Cameron Johnson, Coby White, Luke Maye, Nassir Little and Kenny Williams) from last season. And through eight practices, Williams said his biggest takeaway is that this year's team is going to struggle scoring.
"It's hard to replace Luke Maye, Kenny Williams and Cam Johnson," Williams said. "And through eight practices, we haven't found anybody to replace them yet. Not only were they shooters, but they'd make them. I like makers better than shooters all the time anyway.Â
"What you have to do is figure out another way to be successful. So, we've got to be a little better defensively, be a little better rebounding, be able to run a little better and defend the rim better and score better around the rim because we don't have the 3-point shooting that those guys provided."
Robinson, however, said he isn't as concerned about UNC's scoring.
"I think guys like Garrison, Leaky, Christian (Keeling), (Justin Pierce) and myself and Cole (Anthony) and Armando (Bacot), we worked all summer being able to fill that void," Robinson said. "I think we've just got to go out there and show improvement and that we're going to be able to fill that void. I think as a coach he's supposed to feel that way. If I was in his shoes, I'd feel that way, too."
Black's versatility
After Late Night with Roy on Sept. 27, Leaky Black, who missed 13 games last season due to a high ankle sprain, said the intrasquad scrimmage that night marked the first time he went full-go in a workout in "a while." But as of Tuesday, Williams said Black had participated in about 30 percent of the team's practices.
Although he said the team is trying to ease Black back into action, Williams also emphasized that it's important that the sophomore guard gets back out there.
"In a lot of ways, he's our most important player because he can do so many things. … " Williams said. "When he's on the court, our team is completely different than it is when he's not out on the court. We've got to get him out there. He's better defensively than anybody else, he gets his hands on more balls, he gets his hands on more offensive rebounds. The shot hasn't been going in for him yet this year, but he's got such a small sample of shots that he's taken."
Robinson said Black and Brooks are "going to fight for who is the best defensive player on the team." Last season, Kenny Williams said multiple times that Brooks motivated him to up his defensive game. Brooks described a similar relationship with Black.
"I don't think Leaky knows, but Leaky is really going to push me to get better on defense," Brooks said. "Just having him there and knowing he's so good on defense, he's going to make me get better. Him and Armando make me want to work every day and be the best defensive player on our team."
Williams also said Anthony is the only player on the team who he trusts with the ball more than Black.
Numbers game
In addition to Black, Williams said Jeremiah Francis, Anthony Harris, Sterling Manley, Andrew Platek and K.J. Smith have been dealing with injuries. Williams said that's added a challenge to running practices.
"The most we've had that can go up and down the court for an entire practice is 11 out of 18. …" Williams said. "What position do all those guys play? Point and 2-guard, every one of those guys. We brought a guy up from the JV team. The day before practice started, I didn't even know the guy's name. But we've got to have practice and Robbie (O'Han) has done a really nice job."
Anthony continues to impress
The No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2019 according to 247Sports, Anthony was the main topic of conversation at UNC's media day last week. That was once again the case on Tuesday.
"Cole has done very, very well," Williams said. "He's a complete player and tries to do it on the defensive end of the floor, as well. I don't even know if I've raised my voice at him a single time so far this year. He needs to get prepared because I'm going to do it at some time, whether he deserves it or not. He's really playing well for us."
Brooks, Robinson and Williams were asked during the press conference about how Anthony distributes the ball.
"I think the one thing we preach about in pre-practice with Coach (Steve Robinson) is always being shot ready," Robinson said. "That's something I've been working on a lot, always being shot ready when Cole has the ball. The pass could come to you at any time, so always be shot ready and always expect the pass to come to you when he has it."
"These would be the two that have most benefited from Cole's ability to pass," Williams added. "I think Garrison has gotten more lob dunks in the first eight practices than (he) did maybe all year last year. So, they're aware of his passing ability, and B. Rob is always shot ready."
Behind the scenes
In July, the ACC Network announced that the Tar Heels will be featured in a multi-part series chronicling its 2019-20 season. "All Access: A Season with Carolina Basketball" will debut later this month and will highlight the many dimensions of the program, its notable alumni and what it's like to be part of the Carolina Family.
Williams was asked if he had any apprehensions about allowing ACCN cameras access to the team's daily activities.
"Oh, there's apprehension on me talking to you guys," Williams said. "So, yes. It's the world we live in and it's what we do and it's something that they say all our fans really appreciate and really enjoy. It's a new world, and I think I'm begrudgingly changing a little bit myself. But it's a changed environment out there and we'll see what happens, how much they do like it."
Robinson said "it's weird, but it's fun at the same time" having the cameras around.
"It's like every corner I turn, I see a camera. They're there right now," the senior said, pointing at the camera directly in front of him. "It's fun. I like it. I think it's a great way to show people another side of us. They only just see what they get on TV and what they see through us on social media … Them being behind the scenes and seeing what we go through each and every day and how we joke around, I think it will be pretty cool."
Approaching a milestone
Williams enters this season at No. 7 on the all-time Division I wins list. With nine more, he'll move past Jim Calhoun (873), Adolph Rupp (876) and Dean Smith (879). On Tuesday, Williams was asked what it'll be like for him as he gets closer to surpassing Smith.
"If it approaches and if it happens, I'll be glad it's over with so I don't have to answer the question," Williams said. "There's no question it's a little emotional for me because I honestly believe – I'm not trying to be humble – that I shouldn't be in the same sentence with Coach Smith. People say, 'Your numbers are this and that.' But that's not the only thing I look at.
"I think he's the best coach there ever was. But he was even better off the court. And I know as much as I try – and I really do try – I know I'm nowhere close to what he was able to do with the guys and the mentoring he did with his players. I'll never come close to that. And I do try. If it gets here and if it happens, I'll be glad when it's over with. I hope it happens because that means we're winning games. I think he would understand that part of it, too."
A 'weird' opener
In less than a month, the Tar Heels will open their season against Notre Dame on Nov. 6. Robinson said it'll be "weird" facing a conference opponent in the first game. But he and his teammates need to be ready.
"We can't just be out there experimenting or trying to figure out our identity going into the conference game because conference games are important," Robinson said. "And from Day 1 on that first game, we've got to be ready to play because I know Notre Dame is going to be ready go play and they're a great team. So, we've got to be prepared."
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CHARLOTTE – Nearly two weeks removed from North Carolina's first practice, Garrison Brooks, Brandon Robinson and Roy Williams traveled to Charlotte on Tuesday for the ACC's annual basketball media day, held at the Marriott City Center.
All three met with reporters for about 45 minutes before fielding questions at the dais during a 12-minute press conference. Here are seven notes from what they had to say:
Filling a large void
After setting a school record for made 3-pointers, the Tar Heels don't return any of their top five scorers (Cameron Johnson, Coby White, Luke Maye, Nassir Little and Kenny Williams) from last season. And through eight practices, Williams said his biggest takeaway is that this year's team is going to struggle scoring.
"It's hard to replace Luke Maye, Kenny Williams and Cam Johnson," Williams said. "And through eight practices, we haven't found anybody to replace them yet. Not only were they shooters, but they'd make them. I like makers better than shooters all the time anyway.Â
"What you have to do is figure out another way to be successful. So, we've got to be a little better defensively, be a little better rebounding, be able to run a little better and defend the rim better and score better around the rim because we don't have the 3-point shooting that those guys provided."
Robinson, however, said he isn't as concerned about UNC's scoring.
"I think guys like Garrison, Leaky, Christian (Keeling), (Justin Pierce) and myself and Cole (Anthony) and Armando (Bacot), we worked all summer being able to fill that void," Robinson said. "I think we've just got to go out there and show improvement and that we're going to be able to fill that void. I think as a coach he's supposed to feel that way. If I was in his shoes, I'd feel that way, too."
Black's versatility
After Late Night with Roy on Sept. 27, Leaky Black, who missed 13 games last season due to a high ankle sprain, said the intrasquad scrimmage that night marked the first time he went full-go in a workout in "a while." But as of Tuesday, Williams said Black had participated in about 30 percent of the team's practices.
Although he said the team is trying to ease Black back into action, Williams also emphasized that it's important that the sophomore guard gets back out there.
"In a lot of ways, he's our most important player because he can do so many things. … " Williams said. "When he's on the court, our team is completely different than it is when he's not out on the court. We've got to get him out there. He's better defensively than anybody else, he gets his hands on more balls, he gets his hands on more offensive rebounds. The shot hasn't been going in for him yet this year, but he's got such a small sample of shots that he's taken."
Robinson said Black and Brooks are "going to fight for who is the best defensive player on the team." Last season, Kenny Williams said multiple times that Brooks motivated him to up his defensive game. Brooks described a similar relationship with Black.
"I don't think Leaky knows, but Leaky is really going to push me to get better on defense," Brooks said. "Just having him there and knowing he's so good on defense, he's going to make me get better. Him and Armando make me want to work every day and be the best defensive player on our team."
Williams also said Anthony is the only player on the team who he trusts with the ball more than Black.
Numbers game
In addition to Black, Williams said Jeremiah Francis, Anthony Harris, Sterling Manley, Andrew Platek and K.J. Smith have been dealing with injuries. Williams said that's added a challenge to running practices.
"The most we've had that can go up and down the court for an entire practice is 11 out of 18. …" Williams said. "What position do all those guys play? Point and 2-guard, every one of those guys. We brought a guy up from the JV team. The day before practice started, I didn't even know the guy's name. But we've got to have practice and Robbie (O'Han) has done a really nice job."
Anthony continues to impress
The No. 4 recruit in the Class of 2019 according to 247Sports, Anthony was the main topic of conversation at UNC's media day last week. That was once again the case on Tuesday.
"Cole has done very, very well," Williams said. "He's a complete player and tries to do it on the defensive end of the floor, as well. I don't even know if I've raised my voice at him a single time so far this year. He needs to get prepared because I'm going to do it at some time, whether he deserves it or not. He's really playing well for us."
Brooks, Robinson and Williams were asked during the press conference about how Anthony distributes the ball.
"I think the one thing we preach about in pre-practice with Coach (Steve Robinson) is always being shot ready," Robinson said. "That's something I've been working on a lot, always being shot ready when Cole has the ball. The pass could come to you at any time, so always be shot ready and always expect the pass to come to you when he has it."
"These would be the two that have most benefited from Cole's ability to pass," Williams added. "I think Garrison has gotten more lob dunks in the first eight practices than (he) did maybe all year last year. So, they're aware of his passing ability, and B. Rob is always shot ready."
Behind the scenes
In July, the ACC Network announced that the Tar Heels will be featured in a multi-part series chronicling its 2019-20 season. "All Access: A Season with Carolina Basketball" will debut later this month and will highlight the many dimensions of the program, its notable alumni and what it's like to be part of the Carolina Family.
Williams was asked if he had any apprehensions about allowing ACCN cameras access to the team's daily activities.
"Oh, there's apprehension on me talking to you guys," Williams said. "So, yes. It's the world we live in and it's what we do and it's something that they say all our fans really appreciate and really enjoy. It's a new world, and I think I'm begrudgingly changing a little bit myself. But it's a changed environment out there and we'll see what happens, how much they do like it."
Robinson said "it's weird, but it's fun at the same time" having the cameras around.
"It's like every corner I turn, I see a camera. They're there right now," the senior said, pointing at the camera directly in front of him. "It's fun. I like it. I think it's a great way to show people another side of us. They only just see what they get on TV and what they see through us on social media … Them being behind the scenes and seeing what we go through each and every day and how we joke around, I think it will be pretty cool."
Approaching a milestone
Williams enters this season at No. 7 on the all-time Division I wins list. With nine more, he'll move past Jim Calhoun (873), Adolph Rupp (876) and Dean Smith (879). On Tuesday, Williams was asked what it'll be like for him as he gets closer to surpassing Smith.
"If it approaches and if it happens, I'll be glad it's over with so I don't have to answer the question," Williams said. "There's no question it's a little emotional for me because I honestly believe – I'm not trying to be humble – that I shouldn't be in the same sentence with Coach Smith. People say, 'Your numbers are this and that.' But that's not the only thing I look at.
"I think he's the best coach there ever was. But he was even better off the court. And I know as much as I try – and I really do try – I know I'm nowhere close to what he was able to do with the guys and the mentoring he did with his players. I'll never come close to that. And I do try. If it gets here and if it happens, I'll be glad when it's over with. I hope it happens because that means we're winning games. I think he would understand that part of it, too."
A 'weird' opener
In less than a month, the Tar Heels will open their season against Notre Dame on Nov. 6. Robinson said it'll be "weird" facing a conference opponent in the first game. But he and his teammates need to be ready.
"We can't just be out there experimenting or trying to figure out our identity going into the conference game because conference games are important," Robinson said. "And from Day 1 on that first game, we've got to be ready to play because I know Notre Dame is going to be ready go play and they're a great team. So, we've got to be prepared."
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