UNC Basketball: Isaiah Hicks season preview 2016-2017
Increased minutes and responsibility could propel Isaiah Hicks to All-American season
Shea Rush | Brandon Robinson | Seventh Woods | Tony Bradley Jr. | Kenny Williams |Justin Jackson | Joel Berry | Theo Pinson | Stilman White | Kanler Coker | Nate Britt
Heading into the 2016-17 NCAA basketball season, North Carolina will be one of the favorites to make it (back) to the Final Four.
And the reason for the high expectations?
How about the return of seniors Kennedy Meeks, Nate Britt and Isaiah Hicks? Then throw in the junior class of Joel Berry, Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson that remains together for at least one more season. Finally, the top-10 freshman class of Tony Bradley, Seventh Woods and Brandon Robinson will push veterans to play at a high level.
Maybe the biggest “x-factor” this season is the play of senior forward Isaiah Hicks. Hicks has spent a great deal of time playing behind first team All-American Brice Johnson. With Johnson playing at the high level that he was last season, little pressure was on anyone else in the front court to produce big numbers.
That won’t be the case this season. With Johnson graduated and in the NBA, the pressure falls on Hicks’ shoulders to produce in the paint.
Having played only 18 minutes per game in a mostly ancillary role last season, we don’t quite know what Hicks can bring to the table as a full-time player. But we do know that the Tar Heels’ front court lacks depth.
If Hicks can avoid foul trouble and maximize his time on the court, UNC has a chance to reach back-to-back Final Fours for the first time since they did it in the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Looking back at 2015-2016
Isaiah Hicks averaged 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 18 minutes per game as a junior. His numbers were affected by two things: his propensity to get into foul trouble and the dominant play of Brice Johnson.
When Johnson was on the court, the offense often ran directly through him. He stole the show in his historic senior season.
But then there was the foul trouble.
When Hicks was on the court he was extremely productive, hitting better than 60 percent of his shots and over 75 percent of his free throws. He was explosive and efficient throughout the season.
But despite his high-octane play and highlight reel dunks, Hicks often got himself into foul trouble. He committed four or more fouls in a game 19 times last season and fouled out on three occasions. Often times, the foul that sent him to the bench or out of a game was one committed 20 feet from the goal.
Having said all that, Hicks was extremely effective in the UNC front court last season and voted the ACC’s Sixth Man of the Year.
Strengths
Hicks is a strong, athletic big man who has tons of potential; much of it unrealized. It’s that potential and his 6-foot-9, 240-pound frame that has fans clamoring to see what the senior power forward can do in a starting role.
With his combined size, strength and athleticism, Hicks creates mismatches for slower, less athletic big men. The majority of his impact on offense is seen within the paint and on the low blocks.
He’s most effective when facing the basket and dangerous when he has some space and a head of steam. He’s quick, particularly for his size, to get out in transition or on the fast break. He’s a good scorer from close range and has no problem finishing above the rim with powerful dunks.
On the defensive side of the floor, Hicks has the ability to be a game-changer with his height and wingspan. Once he finds a way to play aggressively but avoid unnecessary fouls, his impact on defense will be exponentially greater.
Weaknesses
The biggest deficiency in Hicks’ game is his inability to stay on the court and out of foul trouble.
Despite playing 10 fewer minutes per game, Hicks averaged more fouls thank Brice Johnson. Averaged out over 40 minutes, he committed nearly seven fouls compared to Johnson’s 3.8.
When Hicks is on the floor, he’s extremely effective. In fact, his shooting percentage of 61.4 was tied for tops on the team with Johnson. His 75.6 percent free-throw percentage was fifth best on the team (excluding Kenny Williams who shot only six free throws all season). And as a whole, he’s an explosive, imposing player when he’s on the court.
Roy Williams has made avoiding foul trouble a point of emphasis for Hicks since the end of last season. Hicks knows that if he’s going to reach his full potential, he’ll have to find balance between aggressive play and smart basketball.
Speaking of Hicks on the David Glenn show Williams said, “We have got to keep him in the game. In ACC play, he averaged seven fouls per 40 minutes of play. If we don’t keep him in the game, he can’t replace Brice.”
Hicks’ role in 2016-2017
Simply put, Hicks’ role at UNC this season is to aptly replace Brice Johnson. And there’s really no limit to what he can accomplish. With his talent and experience, he should be able to step into the starting power forward position and flourish.
Just take a look at the season that Johnson had last year. Now insert Hicks into the void left by Johnson’s departure and voila.
Hicks has every opportunity this year to take the minutes, points and rebounds that his All-American counterpart took last season.
In a thin front court that boasts little experience beyond Hicks and senior big man Kennedy Meeks, there will be plenty of minutes to go around. Those minutes should equate to big numbers for Hicks.
What to expect from Hicks in 2016?
Hicks has worked tirelessly throughout the off-season to play aggressively without fouling. He’ll look to incorporate that, along with the countless reminders from Roy Williams, into actual games.
Assuming he does that, Hicks will be one of the most dominant big men in college basketball. He’s shown flashes of greatness throughout his career at UNC. Once he puts it all together, he will be difficult to stop.
If Hicks can function as a comparable replacement for Johnson, then he and the Tar Heels could be looking at another championship caliber season in Chapel Hill.