Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Roy Williams potential starting five

By Brandon Griffin

Jan 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams gives direction to his team during the first half of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. North Carolina won 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams gives direction to his team during the first half of a game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. North Carolina won 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Center-Kennedy Meeks, SR

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) go for a rebound during the second half in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men
Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Kennedy Meeks (3) and Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) go for a rebound during the second half in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men /

Alternate Options: Tony Bradley, Isaiah Hicks, Luke Maye, Justin Jackson

As you probably have noticed, returning starters get preferential treatment. Again this is not to say that Roy wouldn’t start a freshman over a senior, but the freshman would have to been a hundred times better, and Meeks is clearly good enough to start for a championship level team, just as he was last season.

Roy Williams will have options this season with behemoth big man Tony Bradley joining the fray. The 6-10 freshman from Florida is a big body but will need some time to develop his game. Had Meeks stayed in the draft, I think Bradley would’ve been the next in line to start, even as a freshman. I also think that Bradley could start in that super large lineup pushing Meeks over to power forward.

If Roy Williams wanted to go small he could start either Hicks or Maye here. Again, Roy Williams doesn’t like to go small, but either would give him rebounding, while Hicks would give him a more fluid offense.

If Roy Williams decided to go super small, ala the Golden State Warriors, Justin Jackson could get the call here. A lineup with Jackson in the center would not be the best rebounding unit but it would probably stretch the floor as any lineup in the NCAA could.

Next: Conclusion

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