The University of North Carolina men's basketball team is set to play its first preseason game on Friday night, marking their return to the court after a disappointing season. With a new head coach, Michael Malone, and an evolving team identity, this game raises numerous questions regarding the roster and strategy.
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One critical aspect to watch is the perimeter shooting, including both volume and efficiency. Under Malone's previous tenure with the Denver Nuggets, his teams exhibited a fluctuating emphasis on three-point shooting, moving from the top 10 in attempts to the bottom 10 in later years. It will be intriguing to see how he adjusts this strategy with UNC, especially given that last year's team finished with a 42.2% success rate from beyond the arc. Key players such as Matt Able, who shot 36% last season at N.C. State, will be pivotal, alongside freshmen like Jarin Stevenson and Neo Avdalas, who will need to improve from their previous 30% shooting averages to contribute effectively.
Another point of interest is the usage and minutes of the post players. With Cameron Fens ineligible, the team's depth in the post is limited to Sayon Keita and Alex Samodurov. Their ability to compete physically against larger opponents will be tested right away. The dynamics of the power forward position are also uncertain, with players like Maximo Adams and Kevin Thomas potentially filling in.
Finally, Terrence Brown, Jr., a transfer from Utah, is expected to be the team's offensive leader. Last season, he averaged 20 points per game in a tough conference. There’s hope that with improved teammates, he can enhance his scoring efficiency while maintaining an aggressive offensive style. His unique playing ability and exciting scoring potential will be something to closely monitor as he navigates this new team environment.