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NCAA Basketball: Top 10 teams currently underachieving in 2019-20 season

By Donovan Darlington

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 15: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 77-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 15: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 15, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 77-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 21: Garrison Brooks #15, Leaky Black #1 and Anthony Harris #0 of the North Carolina Tar Heels(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 21: Garrison Brooks #15, Leaky Black #1 and Anthony Harris #0 of the North Carolina Tar Heels(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

1. North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 7-5

This North Carolina squad was spoken as highly of early in the season as many of Roy Williams’ other UNC teams have been. They began the season ranked 9th in the AP Poll, and had the #9 ranked recruiting class coming in according to 247 Sports.

Cole Anthony was the 4th overall recruit in the class of 2019, and he headlined their incoming class, just as he has been the headline in many of the games the Tar Heels have won this season. Anthony is a prolific scorer, averaging 19.1 ppg, while also proving to be a solid defender. He is currently out due to a torn meniscus, and his return is certainly needed if UNC is to be successful.

Outside of Cole Anthony, the Junior forward, Garrison Brooks has contributed 12.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg, while Freshman forward, Armando Bacot has averaged 10.0 ppg and 8.4 rpg. The problem is, these guys and the others on this North Carolina team do not have the ability to take over games like Cole Anthony.

If Cole Anthony is not playing well, then there is a very good chance that anyone can take down the Tar Heels, and that has already happened a few times this season. In the Battle 4 Atlantis, Michigan took them down despite Anthony’s 22 points. After the loss, North Carolina picked up a solid 78-74 win over Oregon.

After that, things went completely downhill. The Buckeyes came into Chapel Hill and obliterated the Tar Heels by 25 points. Virginia then did their business defensively, making it clear once again that North Carolina has plenty of offensive problems. Then, as if things were not bad enough, Cole Anthony had to leave for his injury. So far in his absence, they lost to Wofford in Chapel Hill for the second time in three years. They then traveled out West to take on Gonzaga. They lost that contest 94-81.

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Roy Williams has a lot to consider. It seems that this is the worst start for a North Carolina team in recent memory. Cole Anthony is desperately needed, and additional scorers are needed to step up. They may be in for a long ride, but I think a fiery Cole Anthony will help this team find success and get back to the NCAA Tournament.

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