Tar Heels Missing the Dance Again?

Last season was a nightmare for University of North Carolina fans.  One year removed from a national championship, an injury-riddled disappointing Tar Heel team missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003.  This is also first time a Roy Williams-coached team has missed out since his first year at Kansas in 1989 when they were on probation.

The 2010 Tar Heels struggled at the guard position, did not have a legitimate match-up problem, and couldn't keep their front line healthy; however, they did have length in the post which was evident by the number of blocks they recorded every game.  With the #2 recruiting class coming in (according to ESPN), it would seem like a turnaround is in order in Chapel Hill.  The #1 player in the country, Harrison Barnes, is a match-up nightmare.  He has more size than any guard who would try to guard him on the wing and more speed than any big man who would attempt to guard him in the post.  He will make an immediate difference.  UNC is also bringing in another athletic wing in Reggie Bullock.  His game has been compared with Jerry Stackhouse, but it is unsure the level of immediate impact he will bring.  Finally, UNC is bringing in a true point guard, Kendall Marshall.  He will probably start right away over Larry Drew for Roy's boys.  Even so, these 3 players do not completely fix the problems in Chapel Hill.

A report was released yesterday that freshmen twin post players David and Travis Wear, who were essentially reserves this year, are transferring from UNC.  This coupled with the departures of Deon Thompson and Ed Davis translates into a very thin front line for UNC.  John Henson and Tyler Zeller are all that is left in the depleted front line, and Zeller has been plagued by injuries.  Also, Marcus Ginyard, one of their best defenders, is graduating.  The question marks continue to add up for the Tar Heels.  It is unlikely that UNC will have the injury problems in 2011 that they had in 2010, and they definitely have a better option at point guard, but with the thin front line, 2011 could be another long season for the Tar Heels.  They will probably make it back in the tournament, but in Chapel Hill, simply making the tournament isn't good enough.