North Carolina’s Five Most Important Players For 2014-15

4. Kennedy Meeks

The Tar Heels’ schedule again will feature non-conference showdowns in Ohio State and a visit to preseason No. 1 Kentucky. Add in the rigorous ACC road littered with expected conference title contenders in Virginia and Syracuse — along with new-addition Louisville featuring junior preseason All-American Montrezl Harrell and league favorite Duke displaying last year’s most sought-after recruit and a player some have already pegged as the season’s player of the year in massive 6-foot-ll, 270-pound freshman Jahlil Okafor — and UNC will need a mix of scoring prowess and board battlers inside if it hopes to compete with some of the nation’s heavyweights.

Meeks will be  a key part in a North Carolina front court that offers plenty of point potential in Meeks and Brice Johnson, but not much scoring depth among its space eaters inside beyond the duo.

A season ago, Meeks weighed in at nearly 320 pounds, but an offseason training regimen has produced a 6-foot-9 sophomore who has shed some 50 pounds. The leaner frame could help transform what was an efficient scorer and rebounder despite his weight issues into one of the country’s more potent inside threats.

In just over 16 minutes a game last season, Meeks averaged 7.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. Stretch those numbers to a per-40 minute average, and they translate into an eye-catching 18.6 points and 14.9 boards per outing.

That is the kind of production the Tar Heels will need in hopes of matching the front-court power some UNC foes will throw its way this season.