Looking Ahead: What Will The 2012 UNC Tar Heels Roster Look Like?

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Immediately following this season, no matter how it ends for the North Carolina basketball program. Immediate uncertainty will fill the air. Tyler Zeller and Justin Watts will graduate and Stillman White will leave the team to go on a mission for two years. Those events are certain, what the other UNC standouts will decide about their futures is anybody’s guess. It’s likely to remain an uncertainty right until the deadline to declare.

Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

What we know already: UNC is bringing in a talented recruiting class headlined by at least four big time players. Zeller, Watts and White will be out the door. And Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland will re-enter the fold fresh off season ending injuries. Harrison Barnes and John Henson are probably lottery picks if they decide to go pro. And even though he not ready defensively or as a scorer, Kendall Marshall would be a first round pick also. It’s highly unlikely all three stay, Marshall is the most likely of the group. If UNC is fortunate enough to retain two of them, they will be in the national title conversations.

Best Case Scenario: 2009 all over again, everybody stays in school. Carolina adds an additional stud to its 2012 class without scaring off top 2013 targets. Somebody transfers and UNC signs a second late season recruit to the class. The Tar Heels field one of the deepest, most talented teams in college basketball history.

Worst Case Scenario: It’s 2006 again and the first round of the NBA Draft sounds like roll call during practice at Chapel Hill. Even worse no additional recruits are signed. Players like Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammad pick other teams while players like Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Kendall Marshall decide their futures. The waiting game turns out to be a disaster for Carolina after they all leave and no top recruits are left for Roy Williams to swoon.

Most Likely Scenario: Dream scenarios almost never happen, and after all, we only have 13 scholarships to give out. The worst case isn’t likely to happen either. Marshall isn’t likely to leave with so many questions about his shooting and defense. Most likely, Barnes and Henson leave and UNC lands one more four or five star recruit. The Tar Heels always have to worry about players leaving for the NBA early. With the recruiting magic coach Williams brings to the program, it’s never too bad with top talent always just around the corner.

No matter what happens with the 2012 roster, I have a good feeling UNC will be a top 10 team next season. The Tar Heels don’t rebuild, we reload and 2012 will be just another example of that. My gut tells me Kendall Marshall will be back and that either John Henson or Harrison Barnes will not get the NBA Draft grade they want and end up back as well. I don’t want the team to sign a one and done like Noel or Muhammad. Because of that simple fact, I expect Roy to nab one of them sooner than later, that’s usually the way it works for this Tar Heel.

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Imaan13 5 pts

Harrison Barnes will not be leaving. He actually just enrolled into the business school. He will probably stay until he finishes his degree. John Henson, on the other hand, probably will not be leaving either. He has a lot to work on both offensively and defensively. Plus, he has the chance to pass the all-time block record at UNC. Incentive to stay? I think so. Neither are truly ready to leave either. And as the comment before me said, John is not in any situation where he needs money. 2012, watch out!

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jrock2310 7 pts

barnes has said in the past that he wanted to get his degree w/in 3 yrs. but that could just be the PC thing to say. but the facts w/ barnes are this: he does not pocess good ball handling skills. does not create much seperation. has trouble finishing at the rim. does not pocess elite speed or quickness. some of those things can be corrected. but others are just the way they are. i personally think he would benefit from staying. he needs to learn to play w/ a high motor consistantly. u cant go into the league w/ your motor on yellow for certin teams. u have to play in the red in the nba, FULL THROTTLE; or u will get abused.henson on the other hand.... he seems to really enjoy the college life, and u cant get those yrs back after they're gone. for henson, he SHOULD want to come back because the nba is going nowhere. and there is always going to be a premium for bigs, they just dont grow on trees. as long as he realizes that he'll have a job in the nba, then he'll feel secure in making his decision to return. and lets face it...if college guys are still pushing him around....what'd ya think nba big men are going to do? point is...enjoy your youth, get strong, work on your game, try & win a title for the school u love. oh! AND EARN YOUR DEGREE! something alot of these "ballers" dont or wont have 5 yrs outta the league and broke. you're only one yr away...why set yourself back just to get paid to sit at the end of an nba bench for the first couple yrs? and from everything i can gather....the hensons arent hurting for money. daddy's a bit of baller in his own right.