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ACC Basketball: 2018-19 storylines for Virginia Tech at North Carolina

By Jason Kinander

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 15: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of a game at the Dean Smith Center on January 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 75-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 15: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half of a game at the Dean Smith Center on January 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 75-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stands on the court during his team’s game against the UCLA Bruins during the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stands on the court during his team’s game against the UCLA Bruins during the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Contribution from Nassir Little

The highest-ranking prospect in the Class of 2018 who did not commit to Duke, Nassir Little‘s freshman season has been a bit of a struggle.

The forward has been non-existent in some games and has shown a clear shortage of basketball IQ at times. Little clearly doesn’t lack the skill and tools to be a great basketball player, but this season he’s had some serious troubles putting it all together.

Little was expected to start, but after a couple of games, was moved to the bench. Little still plays a solid amount of minutes per game, but making the most of those minutes has been another issue for Little.

Little is averaging 10 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, not nearly what you’d expect from a recruit as prized as he. While Little has had to learn behind bellow forward Luke Maye, and additionally Cameron Johnson, the low production has certainly hurt the Tar Heels.

However, as of late, Little has been coming into his own. He scored 12 points against Miami on Saturday and has begun to provide a bit of a spark off the bench.

Against a very strong defensive team in Virginia Tech, Little will have to play to his potential. Maye and Johnson will not have an easy time making an impact, making the play of Little even more important.

If Little can somehow manage to put up 15 or so points and half a dozen rebounds, it would do wonders for his team. A “little” contribution goes a long way, and in Monday’s game, it could be what decides the game for North Carolina.

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