Final Four: Isaiah Hicks is the x-factor for a Tar Heel national title
With the Tar Heels in familiar territory, Isaiah Hicks finds himself in the same spot also. But what is that exactly?
Last year, the North Carolina Tar Heels found themselves one shot away from a national championship, yet that was not good enough for Isaiah Hicks and company.
Everybody knows how the final sequence goes.
Kris Jenkins inbounds to Ryan Arcidiacono, who drives to the three-point line, and hands it back to Jenkins, for the championship.
Isaiah Hicks could not get his hand up in time.
But not many people know that Jenkins was not Hicks’ man.
Hicks was actually guarding Villanova big man Daniel Ochefu. Brice Johnson was supposed to be on Kris Jenkins but was helping under the basket.
Yet, Hicks is the man immortalized with his hand in Jenkins’ face to end the game.
A year later, Hicks finds himself in a familiar place himself, the X-Factor on a potential championship winning team.
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Last year Hicks provided depth to a dominant UNC front court, one even better than this year’s version. Hicks could replace Brice Johnson or Kennedy Meeks, allowing both to get valuable minutes of rest.
But this year, from the first tip, Hicks has been heavily relied on to be a go-to-guy in the paint — and he has answered on many occasions.
He had the 22 point outing in a crucial home ACC game against Florida State. Hicks was good for 21 points in the home win against Duke. But Hicks has not been able to get loose in the NCAA Tournament.
Hicks dropped 17 points against Texas Southern, a game that was never really in doubt.
In the three games since, he hasn’t found himself in double figures in any category except minutes.
This Carolina team understands the importance of having a good game from Hicks. With Hicks, the Heels have two legitimate frontcourt threats. But as all Tar Heel fans have come to realize, Hicks cannot seem to find his way out of foul trouble.
Keep in mind that in these statistics, Isaiah Hicks did not play in the loss at Duke.
Offensively
In five of the teams seven losses, Hicks has had four or more fouls, even fouling out in two of them. It is easy to see that the Tar Heels do not have as much of an advantage in the front court, when Hicks is off the floor.
In the game against Oregon, it is critical for the Heels to take advantage of their size advantage at the power forward position. Since losing starter Chris Boucher for the season, Oregon has started Dillon Brooks at the four-spot. Playing against Oregon could have some similarities to playing against Duke.
The Heels could also benefit from having the aggressive Isaiah Hicks. In losses, Hicks is averaging 9.3 points, down from his regular average of 12.1. It is easy to look back and see that the Heels are better when Hicks is hunting his own shot.
Hicks had his breakout game in January, when he went for 22 points against FSU. While Hicks only took seven field goal attempts, he got to the line 14 times, a direct result of hunting for his shot. We all know how well Hicks shoots free throws.
Even more impressive, the Heels are 7-1 when Hicks takes double-digit field goal attempts, with the only loss coming to Kentucky in December.
Defensively
One area the Heels could struggle against Oregon is on the defensive end, and that revolves around the matchup at the power forward position.
Hicks will likely have to guard Oregon star Dillon Brooks. This will be much like Hicks having to guard Jayson Tatum. Brooks will look to take Hicks out on the wing, and drive him, forcing Hicks into early foul trouble.
If Oregon decides to go big, the Heels will have a clear advantage.
Jordan Bell posted an incredible stat line against Kansas, but pairing him up with Kavell Bigby-Williams could give the Heels a better match up.
The Tar Heels play much better on offense and defense against the traditional two-big lineup. If Oregon goes big, it would give Hicks fewer opportunities to commit fouls on the perimeter.
Although Luke Maye could potentially help guard Brooks on the wing, allowing the Heels to go small.
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Defensively, Hicks has never been a top-tier shot blocker, but the Heels would benefit greatly if he just stayed in front of Brooks, and stayed out of foul trouble as much as possible.
The team will not be asking him to block five shots, but they could use a few possessions of keeping guards out of the paint.
At the end of the day, Isaiah Hicks can change the up and down narrative by having a solid Final Four. Winners are remembered for what they do last, and if Hicks shows out on the big stage, that’s what Tar Heel fans will remember him for.