Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: How Tony Bradley’s decision affects UNC

By Brandon Griffin

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) goes for a loose ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) goes for a loose ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) during the second half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels team holds up the trophy after the win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels team holds up the trophy after the win over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. North Carolina defeated Gonzaga 71-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the biggest question and really all that matters for the most part is the one I asked at the beginning of this piece.

What does all this mean for UNC? And honestly what does this mean for UNC in their defense of a third straight title game?

A lot of this falls down on the NCAA and whether or not they do the right thing and help Cam Johnson out. With Johnson in toll, UNC can absolutely compete with Duke and Louisville and whoever for the top of the ACC.

Without Johnson, things get a little more sketchy. Roy Williams was clearly not expecting Bradley to be a one-and-done player. Neither were most of the people in the Tar Heel clubhouse.

However, ESPN only dropped UNC from second to seventh despite Bradley making the jump to the NBA. If the team can channel that 2012-13 team again and make a run, things could look shiny in Chapel Hill.

And even if they don’t, the Tar Heels are the reigning national champs. So whether the glass is half full, half empty, or just a glass, that’s something no one can take away from them, no matter what happens next season.

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