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NBA Draft 2020: What Cole Anthony’s return did for his draft stock

By Michael Walton

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 01: Cole Anthony #2 talks with head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game against the Boston College Eaglesat the Dean Smith Center on February 01, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 01: Cole Anthony #2 talks with head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their game against the Boston College Eaglesat the Dean Smith Center on February 01, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Cole Anthony
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 01: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Shooting woes

Alright so first things first, Cole Anthony did NOT shoot well on Sunday night. Anthony came into the 2019-20 NCAA men’s basketball season with the reputation of a gunner, fairly or unfairly, depending on who you talk to. Anthony has, dating back to AAU, played on teams just like this year’s North Carolina squad that depend on him heavily for offensive production.

On Saturday Anthony, in his first game back since early December, had a massive 37.6% usage rate. He didn’t do anything wrong, as North Carolina hasn’t been able to maintain a great offense without him.

Anthony tried to shoot the Tar Heels back into the game, and did—just refer to his “I’m back” 3-point make”—but also couldn’t finish the job. After racking up 26 points to get the Tar Heels within striking distance, Anthony missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, with North Carolina down by one point, that would’ve given them the win. Anthony couldn’t much space with Boston College focusing all attention on him. But it should’ve been up to someone between head coach Roy Williams and Anthony to run something or give up the ball to get a better shot for the team.

You can’t blame the Tar Heels for deciding to win or lose the game in Cole Anthony’s hands, one just wonders if they could’ve come up with something more creative than a pull-up, double-teamed 3-point heave. Whether it be on the coaching staff or Anthony, we didn’t see any improvement in terms of shot selection, though it was, of course, nice to see him have the confidence to take a potential game-winner in his first game back.

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