UNC Basketball: Tar Heels Dominating on the boards

The North Carolina Tar Heels are dominating the boards this season. They are one of the best rebounding teams in their conference and in the nation.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are known for their uptempo style of play and they lead the ACC in scoring with 89.1 points per game.

UNC’s ability to score a lot of points is fueled largely by their rebounding prowess. North Carolina leads the ACC in total rebounds per game (45.9) and ranks third in the ACC in defensive rebounding (31.9 per game; what their opponents average against the Tar Heels).

They lead the ACC in rebounding differential (+14), which derives from the difference in UNC’s total rebounds per game compared to their opponents’ total rebounds per game. UNC also leads the ACC in offensive rebounds per game (16.4).

Dec 7, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) pulls down a rebound in front of Davidson Wildcats guard Jon Axel Gudmundsson (3) during the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels won 83-74. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

North Carolina’s frontcourt is the main reason why UNC leads the ACC in a couple of rebounding subcategories. In particular, forward Kennedy spearheads the rebounding dominance for the Tar Heels. He has made it his mission to grab as many rebounds as he can per game.

For example, Meeks had a career-high 16 rebounds against Wisconsin earlier this season. He had 12 rebounds against Monmouth and 10 rebounds against Chaminade in Maui. This season, Kennedy Meeks ranks No. 33 in the nation in rebounds per game (9.6). Meeks leads the Tar Heels in rebounding. He ranks fourth in the ACC in rebounds.

Meek’s impressive season on the boards has trickled down to the incoming class, as well. Freshman Tony Bradley is second on the team in rebounding (5.8) and ranks 24th in the ACC. Bradley backs up Meeks at the center and averages 15.1 minutes per game.

Bradley gives the Tar Heels another big body they can depend on for rebounds. His versatility at playing the power forward and center positions complements Meeks’ and Hicks’ styles of play.

Senior Isaiah Hicks and junior Justin Jackson average around five rebounds per game, also. All four of these players make North Carolina a dominant rebounding team.

All of these players have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Being good rebounding team has a lot to do with positioning and determination as well as a high level of skill. North Carolina’s attitude to attack the boards stems from their coach, Roy Williams. Whenever a team’s identity mirrors what their coach emphasizes, then a team will be successful. This holds true for the Tar Heels.

NCAA Basketball: North Carolina at Wake Forest /

Recently, the Tar Heels faced the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Meeks led all players with 11 rebounds. Justin Jackson had eight rebounds and Isaiah Hicks had five. North Carolina out-rebounded Wake Forest 41-34.

If North Carolina continues their rebounding surge, they will find themselves winning another ACC Tournament and playing for another NCAA championship, just like last season.

The interesting thing about North Carolina is that their rebounding advantage comes from a collective effort. Although Meeks is their best rebounder, none of the Tar Heels steal the spotlight from other players too much.

You can attribute this to the way that Roy Williams coaches his team; in a bigger sense, Dean Smith.

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