Huffman Understands What It Takes To Make Rotation

Patience was on Brandon Huffman’s side this past basketball season.

The 6-10 forward was a regular part of North Carolina’s playing rotation until conference play hit, and they his playing time was sporadic. He just wasn’t as ready as fellow freshmen bigs Garrison Brooks or Sterling Manley.

So Huffman had to learn to deal with his role, as limited as it was.

“It was rough at points. It’s never easy sitting, it can be frustrating at times,” he said. “It really is a process, and seeing the position I was in, I was playing early on and really can’t complain. I know I’m still young and I have time to improve. It’s really just up to me to improve so I can get more minutes.”

Huffman still played in 29 contests, however. And when on the court, Huffman displayed nice athletic ability and some physical strength. Roy Williams said in the preseason Huffman was the team’s best finisher at the rim, something he displayed a few times.

Perhaps the biggest adjustment for the Goldsboro, NC, native was simply not knowing from game to game or even segment to segment within games if he was going to get in or not. So Huffman figured out how to keep himself sharp just in case.

“It’s just being mentally ready to where you see how things are going and you realize that you could go in, going from that transition from cheering guys on to watching and seeing what’s happening out there,” he said. “‘If I’m going to go out there, I’m going to have to do things better.’”

His numbers for the season were 98 total minutes, 19-35 from the field, 47 points (1.6 per game), plus he pulled down 41 rebounds. His high game was 9 points and 6 rebounds versus Tulane.

The numbers don’t reveal at all the value Huffman got out of the season, though. He gained so many mental reps on and off the court, in games and in practice, that he believes he understands the game so much better now than when this time a year ago.

“I think I’m a lot more instinctual than I was,” he said. “Just playing the game and knowing the system that way. I also think little things in my game are better, like setting screens calling help and things like that. I think my IQ is better, I know more about the game.”

Huffman plans to continue working on every aspect of his game. He acknowledges his game needs refinement, but also wants to continue sharpening his skills in the smaller areas he believes will get him on the court.

No doubt he will work on moves on the lower blocks and everything about playing defense, but a commitment to setting better screens, to communicating verbally on the court, and passing the ball are areas he will strive to improve, as well.

“I want to help this team win, and to do that I need Coach to trust me,” he said. “So I’m going to do the things I need to gain his trust.”