Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: What to watch for in 2016-17

By Blake Cockrum

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24), guard Nate Britt (0), and forward Kennedy Meeks (right) react during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24), guard Nate Britt (0), and forward Kennedy Meeks (right) react during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Theo Pinson finally gets his shot

Mar 19, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) celebrates after a play against the Providence Friars in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Theo Pinson is known by most for his congenial personality and light-hearted antics. If you’re not familiar with Pinson, just reference the following video clip which took place at a press conference during North Carolina’s recent run through the NCAA Tournament.

Pinson’s first two years at North Carolina have been spent as a role player. He’s been a guy that could come off the bench and eat up minutes and provide a spark on the defensive end.

In his first two seasons combined Pinson has averaged 3.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. His stats don’t jump off the page, but he has only averaged 16.4 minutes per game in those two seasons and is always a fourth or fifth option offensively.

Pinson will likely get a starting position this year as the shooting guard. Yes, shooting guard. A guy who has struggled to shoot well, hitting 47 percent of his two-point attempts and just 28 percent of his threes, will be starting at the shooting guard position.

But this isn’t something we are unaccustomed to as UNC fans.

Neither Jackie Manuel nor Marcus Ginyard were known for their offensive prowess, yet each spent a good deal of time at the two-guard. Manuel helped the Tar Heels win a national championship in 2005 while splitting time between shooting guard and small forward. Ginyard spent time in the same role during the 2007-08 season and again at the start of the 2008-09 season before getting injured and being replaced by eventual starter and NBA star Danny Green.

They were guys that were relied upon for their attention to detail and tenacious defensive play. They didn’t try to force their offense or do too much. They played well within the system and were fully aware that there were better scoring options on the floor than themselves.

Theo Pinson has the opportunity to do just that.

For now, I believe he has the starting spot, but there will be other guards hot on his heels for the job. Senior Nate Britt, sophomore Kenny Williams and freshman Seventh Woods will all state their claim for the starting role.

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