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UNC Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Tar Heels

By Cooper Watson

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 11: Ramses, the mascot for the North Carolina Tar Heels, cheers before a game against the Clemson Tigers on January 11, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 76-79 in overtime. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 11: Ramses, the mascot for the North Carolina Tar Heels, cheers before a game against the Clemson Tigers on January 11, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Clemson won 76-79 in overtime. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /
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Leaky Black UNC Basketball (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Key Reserves

Forward: Leaky Black, Sr.

Leaky Black has started 59 of UNC’s 62 games the last two seasons, so it would hardly be a surprise to see him starting game one vs Loyola Maryland on November 9. That would likely bump RJ Davis to the bench and Kerwin Walton to shooting guard. The argument for that is fairly simple: Black brings size, length, defense, athleticism and experience that RJ Davis simply does not. What Black does not bring, though, is shooting or the ability to stretch the floor, hence why I still lean towards RJ Davis for the fifth starter spot.

Black is not known for his offensive game, but he is an underrated passer, gets to the free-throw line often and is one of the Heels’ best finishers on the fastbreak.

Regardless of who ends up starting, Black will see significant minutes as a key role player and leader for Hubert Davis and UNC in 2021-22.

Forward: Dawson Garcia, So.

Dawson Garcia averaged 13.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as a freshman at Marquette last season. At 6-11, he is slightly taller than Manek, although the two share a similar skillset as forwards capable of stretching the floor offensively while also rebounding and protecting the paint on the defensive end.

Garcia was a 35.6% three-point shooter on 2.7 attempts per game in 2020-21, numbers that would have made him UNC’s second-best three-point shooter behind Walton last season. Garcia is an all-around efficient scorer, finishing tenth in the Big East with a TS% of 58.7%.

That said, I do find it slightly interesting that Garcia transferred to UNC, given that it seems unlikely that he will start ahead of Bacot and Manek this season. He tested the NBA Draft this offseason but eventually withdrew in early July. As a still young prospect with great length and a modern game, it would be easy for him to simply chase playing time. Major props to him for instead seeking competition and coaching to increase his personal development, not just a stage to try and show off on.

Guard/Forward: Puff Johnson, So.

The brother of former UNC standout and current Phoenix Suns guard Cam Johnson, Puff was recruited as a 6-8 wing with a smooth jumper and great offensive instincts. He was also recruited as someone who needed to bulk up and improve defensively.

After struggling with injuries last season, expectations are for Johnson to be an impact role player for the Heels, providing valuable shooting and wing production off the bench.

Forward: Justin McKoy, Jr.

Virginia transfer Justin McKoy is not known for his scoring ability, but the hope is that a change of pace (literally) will bring some life to his offensive game.

McKoy is an excellent defender, but the most valuable part of his game could be his rebounding, leading Virginia in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage last season. Even if McKoy’s offensive game doesn’t come along, he should see fairly consistent minutes in a reserve forward role.

Guard: Anthony Harris, R-So.

Anthony Harris tore his left ACL as a senior in high school, causing him to miss the start of his freshman season. Just three weeks after his college debut, he tore his right ACL, which left him out until midway through last season. With injury issues hopefully in the rear-view mirror, Harris should play a valuable backup combo guard role for the UNC this season.

Harris played double-digit minutes in 13 of his 16 games last season. He finished second on the team in assist rate (19.5%) and steal rate (2.9%). Harris is not a prolific scorer, but he pretty much does everything else you could want from a third-year guard.

The Freshmen: D’Marco Dunn and Dontrez Styles

The class that will span a historic offseason coaching change in Chapel Hill features two four-star wings. Styles has shown off his range in both preseason scrimmages and is also two inches taller and 35 pounds heavier than Dunn.

Both freshmen fall below Walton, Davis, Black, Harris and Johnson on the guard/wing depth chart, meaning that consistent playing time for either is unlikely to start the season. Having said that, expect Styles to feature more prominently than Dunn early on for the reasons mentioned above.

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