UNC Basketball: 2015-16 Projected Starting Lineup
By John Bauman
Center: Kennedy Meeks
Backup: Stephen Zimmerman
Backup to the Backup: Joel James
Starting at the center position will be junior Kennedy Meeks. Meeks showed flashes of his potential as a freshman, like his seven assist game against Louisville and his 23 point performance against Florida State. By his junior season, he will be slimmed down and All-ACC starter for the Tar Heels. UNC should surround Meeks with shooting and run their offense through him. Get the ball to him in the low post or at the top of the key and let the cutters, like J.P. Tokoto, do the work to get open.
His backup probably sticks out to Tar Heel fans who keep an eye on recruiting. Yes, that is current 2015 ESPN 100 No. 6 player Stephen Zimmerman out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Again, this is not recruiting knowledge but rather just a guess at who the Heels could sign in the Class of 2015. Zimmerman will add his rebounding and shot blocking abilities off the bench.
Joel James struggles to stay on the court due to injuries and his inability to catch and throw a basketball. But he is a big physical talent, and if he puts it all together, he could find himself in the starting lineup over Meeks.
Here are some other lineups that the Heels might use in 2015-16 besides just the starting lineup.