Busting Brackets
Fansided

UNC Basketball: 5 reasons why the Tar Heels will be better than Duke in 2018-19

By Brian Rauf

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 10: Luke Maye #32 and Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react during their game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Dean Smith Center on November 10, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 10: Luke Maye #32 and Kenny Williams #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react during their game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Dean Smith Center on November 10, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Garrison Brooks #15 blocks the shot of Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward #44 as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye #32 closes in in the first half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 26: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Garrison Brooks #15 blocks the shot of Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward #44 as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye #32 closes in in the first half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

2. Interior domination

Rebounding has traditionally been the biggest area of dominance for North Carolina under Williams, yet it was their biggest question mark last season after losing the likes of Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, and Tony Bradley.

UNC came through with a resoundingly positive answer to that question, leading the country in rebounds per game and ranking third in rebounding margin. Luke Maye led the way with a team-high 10.1 rebounds per game, but other frontcourt players (Cameron Johnson, Garrison Brooks, Sterling Manley) played significant roles as well.

With all four of those frontcourt players returning, that will be an even bigger strength for the Heels in 2018-19 as they should lead the country in that category again. They will have to replace Theo Pinson’s 6.5 rebounds per game, but that’s something Little (more on him later) should be able to accomplish.

The Heels always have an advantage over Duke in this category and should again, especially considering the Blue Devils only project to have only two true big men (Marques Bolden and Javin DeLaurier) in their rotation. Williamson could also spend some time at center, but it remains to be seen just how much of an effect he’ll have at the position standing just 6-7. This is yet another box UNC checks that the Blue Devils do not.

Home/North Carolina Tar Heels