Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: NC State vs. North Carolina preview

By Horran Cameron

Jan 8, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) reacts in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 107-56 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) reacts in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 107-56 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Feb 9, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seventh Woods (21) drives against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seventh Woods (21) drives against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

Freshman Spotlight

NC State: Ted Kapita

In the first matchup against the Tar Heels this season, Ted Kapita played three minutes in that game. His stat line for the game was one rebound.

His minutes have been up and down this season. Despite his inconsistent playing time, Kapita has had a few good games this season. In the Wolfpack’s upset of the Duke Blue Devils, Kapita finished the game 14 points and 10 rebounds. Kapita and Malik-Abdul Abu dominated the low post against Duke.

Since the Duke game, Kapita has not scored over three points. Although his talent remains raw, he has shown flashes of extreme talent and possesses a great deal of upside. Keep an eye on this player tomorrow night. If Isaiah Hicks does not play, then Kapita could have a big night for the Wolfpack.

North Carolina: Seventh Woods

The most consistent freshman for the Tar Heels this season has been Tony Bradley. However, in UNC’s game against the Blue Devils last week, Woods showed how much he has grown this season. In a seven minute span in the first half against Duke, Woods had four points and four assists. He made good decisions in transition and maintained a fast-paced flow; what Roy Williams loves in his offenses.

Woods’ great play allowed starting point guard Joel Berry II to get some much-needed rest.

North Carolina needs a backup point guard to alleviate pressure off Berry to do so much on the offensive end. Woods’ court maturity allows UNC to have more options in the backcourt. One option that Roy Williams has seldom used this season is playing Woods in the backcourt along with Berry.

Both players are point guards. However, both are capable of playing off the ball. If Woods continues to grow like he showed against Duke, then the Berry/Woods backcourt could emerge as an option for Williams to use down the stretch in games.

Woods will come off the bench this game as usual. However, keep an eye on his increased amount of playing time. The more Roy Williams trusts Woods, the more he plays and the faster the Tar Heels will be.

Home/UNC Basketball