When North Carolina steps onto the basketball court for its first practice next September, it will include three starters from this past season’s team, which is a significant difference from when the Tar Heels got things started last fall.
Garrison Brooks was the only returning starter and Brandon Robinson played around 12 minutes a game as a junior in the 2018-19 campaign. A few other Heels had limited experience, two graduate transfers were on board and two McDonald’s All-America freshmen made for one of the most inexperienced teams Roy Williams has coached. At least with respect to minutes logged as Tar Heels.
That won’t be an issue next fall, as three starters are back, and in terms of games missed, they were also the healthiest noteworthy Heels this past season, aside from Christian Keeling, who was the only rotation player to not miss a game.
Williams recently et with the media for a virtual press conference and was asked about his returning starters and what they need to do before practice commences.
Here’s what the Carolina coach had to say:
Garrison Brooks, 6-foot-9 Senior
*Brooks’ Stats: 16.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 53.5 FG%, 64.1 FT%, 20-plus points 11 times (10 in his last 18 games, a stech he averaged 19.9 ppg), 30-plus points twice and 12 double-doubles.
WILLIAMS: “Garrison, continue to build on what he’s done, work more on his shot, particularly the outside shot coming down and trailing in the secondary break, whether it’s a three-pointer or a free throw line or anywhere in between.
"And also be able to slide his feet better to guard somebody out on the court because I think that and his shot is what he’s going to need more in his future.”
Leaky Black, 6-foot-8 Junior
*Black’s Stats: 6.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 35.9 FG%, 25.4 (16-for-63) 3-pt%, 69.6 FT%, 56 turnovers, 40 steals and was second on the team playing 950 minutes.
WILLIAMS: “Leaky, stay healthy. We want him to be able to play multiple positions because I think that’s so important to him, but if there’s one thing and it’s no question it’s not a surprise to anybody, (he’s) gotta be able to make outside shots.
"And also use his athleticism more than he does and I think that he could be the best (perimeter) defender in all of college basketball if he would slide his feet better and use his athleticism.
Armando Bacot, 6-10 Sophomore
*Bacot’s Stats: 9.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 24.4 mpg, 46.9 FG%, 64.5 FT%, 39 assists, 55 turnovers, scored in double figures 16 times, grabbed 10 or more rebounds 14 times and registered 11 double-doubles.
WILLIAMS: “I think Armando’s the one that’s got to take giant leaps. He’s got to be able to be more efficient finishing around the basket, be able to do more defensively without getting silly fouls. Understanding all the little things that we talk about the entire season like setting legal screens has got to be important to him.
“He is a wonderful kid and he is coachable, but he’s got the raise that level because, at the Notre Dame game, that illegal screen was a big thing we had harped on and yelled at him all year about those things. So, he’s got to accept that and take the little things and realize how important they are and I think he will because, like I said, he’s just a wonderful, wonderful kid.
“He’s got to push himself a little harder but the biggest thing is being able to finish around the basket and, when you get the ball in that area, you’ve got to be able to make the play.
