Advertisement
basketball Edit

Berry On What Pinson Brings To The Heels

Joel Berry is excited to have fellow junior and perimeter-mate Theo Pinson back for Saturday's game.
Joel Berry is excited to have fellow junior and perimeter-mate Theo Pinson back for Saturday's game. (THI)


Theo Pinson will make his season debut Saturday night versus N.C. State at the Smith Center, and his entry into the lineup comes at a good time for the Tar Heels.

They haven’t played their best basketball of the season of late, really not even close, and Pinson brings qualities to the floor Carolina has been lacking.

The 6-6 junior is the team’s best passer, head coach Roy Williams has said, he’s a defender that can guard players from the one spot through the four, he can fill the lanes on the break, brings an energy and spirit to the floor that was clearly missing during at loss at Georgia Tech last weekend, and so many other things.

Perhaps no Tar Heel understands what Pinson brings to the Heels more than junior point guard Joel Berry. They are classmates and friends, and they often occupy a lot of the same space on the court. So, in Berry’s words, here’s what he thinks about Pinson’s return and how it helps the Tar Heels:

How much are you looking forward to playing with Theo (Saturday)?

“I’m looking forward. I came in with him. He’s a great player (and) we thought that he was going to come in and have a great season this year at the beginning, but he had the little set back. So, I’m looking forward to him getting out there on the court. It’s going to be fun having him back. He’s always in the media doing crazy stuff, so now it’s a good chance to actually see him play some basketball.”

Other than drive Roy Williams crazy, what is the thing that he brings most to you guys?

“I think he brings facilitating, he helps a lot with us on the defensive end; he’s long, he’s athletic, sow with him being out on the court and him being on the defensive side, I think that will help us a lot on that end. And then on the offensive end, just him facilitating, him being able to get to the basket, and he’s improved his shot a lot, so hopefully he’ll come in and help us with 3-point percentage, and then just being a player. I think that’s what coach wants him to be, and he’s capable of being that.”

How has he looked in practice?

“He hasn’t had much practice time, but as of now he’s looking alright. He’s trying to get his wind back. Sitting out for so long, it’s hard – you can’t simulate our practices doing workouts and stuff on the bike. Right now he’s trying to get his wind back, but he’s looking pretty good. I think he just is happy to get back in the rotation of actually making basketball plays.”

Do you anticipate it taking him a while to get adjusted?

“Definitely, especially with him sitting out so long. It might take a little bit for him to be able to get back in the flow of things, what we’re doing now, getting in sync with everyone else. But that’s expected (with him) being out so long. I think he’ll come back, it’ll probably take a couple of games, but it’s just good to have him back in the rotation and just have another guy we can go to starting or coming off the bench."


Advertisement