The University of North Carolina had high expectations last year, and fell just short of reaching the National Championship game.
This year, expectations are even higher as the Tarheels have all five starters returning, and add even more depth. Extremely rare in this day an age does a school ever return all five starters, especially the caliber of the talent at UNC.
This leads many analysts to believe that no other team will be able to contend with the experience and depth of the Tarheels. In some eyes, the Tarheels have a chance to go undefeated and run the table all the way to the National title.
The Tarheels' starting five for the 08-09 season are projected to be Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson, Deon Thompson, and Marcus Ginyard. Though Ginyard and Hansbrough are expected to miss some time as both are recovering from injuries.
The Tarheels are led by reigning National player of the year Tyler Hansbrough, who averaged a double-double the entire season of 07-08 with 22.6 ppg and 10.2 rebounds. Hansbrough is a favorite to win the national player of the year honors once again, though starting the season with a stress reaction in his right shin.
Hansbrough is doubtful for the Tarheel's season opener on November 15th against the University of Pennsylvania Quakers. If Hansbrough fails to play it will be the first game he has missed in his three year career. Hansbrough has played in 106 consecutive regular season and tournament games.
Hansbrough is the last player to return as reigning National player of the year since Shaquille O'Neal from LSU in 1991. After Hansbrough returns from his injury, he should have no problem picking up from where he left off.
With all the talent around him, it will give teams with no choice but to put one man on him. Hansbrough is on pace to break a ton of NCAA records and should be a joy to watch. After all, it's a rarity to watch someone play a full four years of college basketball.
Ty Lawson will be heading up the point guard position again this year as a junior. Lawson is averaging 5.4 assists per game during his time at UNC, fifth best all time.
Lawson was plagued by an ankle injury last year, though finishing strong at the end of the year. Lawson is another rare exception in the college game, who most likely would have been drafted into the NBA this past summer.
Lawson has plenty of experience under his belt, and has played in plenty of big games. This year should be a stand out season, with all the talent around him he has to pass to.
I wouldn't make too much of it if Lawson's points per game average drops from last year's 12.7 average, but I expect his assists to go well above his 5.1 average from this past year. Lawson is expected to help lead this time to it's first National title since 2005, by protecting the ball and making veteran decisions when it counts.
Wayne Ellington is also returning for his junior year, expected to start as the shooting guard. Ellington will be one UNC's perimeter threats which will help open up the inside lanes for Hansbrough, and Thompson. Ellington was selected to Second Team All-ACC, and has made a three pointer in the past 66 games.
Ellington also made himself eligible for the draft, but didn't hire an agent and decided to return to school another year. He's a very unique player who has the ability to hurt you from the inside with consistency, but can go inside and mix it up as well.
Ellington averaged 16.6 points per game, and 4.4 rebounds, and shot 47 percent from the field last year. Having started all but two games his entire career at UNC, Ellington is expected to contribute a lot to the team on its National title run.
Marcus Ginyard who has played guard and forward the past three seasons, will be out until December.
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