UNC Basketball: Brandon Robinson 2016-17 season review

The freshman shooting guard saw action on a Tar Heels team loaded on the wings. But what should we expect from him moving forward?

Brandon Robinson was part of a 2016 freshman class that was ranked No. 14 in the country by 247 Sports. The wing joined Tony Bradley Jr. and Seventh Woods in the class, helping mold UNC’s future.

From the start UNC fans didn’t know what they were going to get from the 6-foot-5, 160-pound shooting guard out of Douglas County, Georgia.

The four-star recruit showed the ability to shoot the ball in high school but struggled from the field in his freshman season with the Tar Heels. He averaged just 7.6 points per game for UNC but had to battle for time in a crowded guard spot.

Robinson’s numbers don’t stand out and he really struggled as a freshman in Roy Williams’ offense.

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He scored a season-high 7 points in UNC’s 93-67 win over Long Beach State in November, getting to the free throw line 5 times and making 4 free throws.

His high moment game against Tennessee in which UNC had to use a second half comeback to avoid the upset. The Tar Heels were without Joel Berry and Theo Pinson, so Robinson saw key minutes down the stretch.

And he delivered.

Robinson gave UNC the lead for good on a tip in off a miss by Nate Britt in the final minutes, giving the Tar Heels a win.

Following the game, he spoke on his big moment via Raleigh & Co.

"“Basketball is basketball, I try to play with confidence at all times,” Robinson said. “When you believe in yourself, you play way better, and I try not to go out there and second-guess myself and play just like I played in high school. Coach [Hubert] Davis always told me to play like Brandon from Douglas County (Ga.), and I’ve always tried to do that.”"

While Robinson showed signs early in the year, he tailed off at the end of January scoring a combined 7 points in UNC’s final 17 games including the NCAA Tournament.

Now, the numbers may not be what you want them to be you have to remember that Robinson is only a freshman.

We’ve seen numerous times where players have struggled under Williams in their freshman seasons and have turned into productive players.

There’s a few on this roster including Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, Nate Britt and Theo Pinson.

Heck, even Brice Johnson struggled in his freshman season receiving limited playing time.

That’s why there’s optimism for Robinson but he has to put in the work to be successful at the college level.

UNC will lose Meeks, Hicks and Britt due to graduation and will likely lose Justin Jackson.

Depending on decisions of other players, Robinson could end up battling for a starting job next season. Either way, he will be asked to play a key role for UNC whether that’s being a starter or coming off the bench.

Robinson will need to work on the defensive end of the floor to really earn a big role in Williams’ offense. Players that are great defensively and good on the offensive end usually have success at this level and is something that Williams looks for.

The first step is to bulk up.

Getting a bigger frame with his long arms will help him be an effective defensive player on the wing, something UNC will need moving forward.

Then there’s Robinson’s offensive game.

The lengthy wing showed signs that he can be a good shooter for the Tar Heels. It’s just a matter of being consistent. Robinson will have to take a similar approach to what Jackson and Luke Maye did last season.

Both worked as hard as ever in the offseason improving their games offensively and defensively.

For Jackson, it might pay off in the form of a lottery pick. For Maye, he could become a starter or even the team’s sixth man next season.

It’s just up to Robinson to put in the work.

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