UNC Basketball: Seventh Woods facing biggest offseason of his college career
The Tar Heels sophomore is going to be one of two point guards on the roster next season. But does Seventh Woods have what it takes to turn into a starter for UNC?
As the clock hit triple zeros on Sunday night in Charlotte, there was a changing of the guard in North Carolina basketball. Joel Berry, the senior point guard and champion came up short in his last game as a Tar Heel. The torch was passed on Sunday to sophomore Seventh Woods.
Woods has had a difficult first couple of seasons in Chapel Hill. The Columbia, South Carolina native has battled injuries and a lack of playing time, but his time has finally come.
Sure, North Carolina fans are clamoring for the arrival of highly-touted recruit Coby White, but we know the history of Tar Heel freshmen point guards.
Believe it or not, Seventh Woods is going to be the most important player for the Tar Heels next year.
The former YouTube sensation arrived in Chapel Hill with expectations nearly as high as his vertical. His freshman year, he sat behind Berry and Nate Britt. This past season, he battled a stress fracture in his foot most of the season that stunted his development.
This year, he only averaged one point and one assist in seven minutes. But he only played in twenty games this year.
So heading into the summer of his junior year, Woods, now more than ever, needs a huge offseason.
He has flashed signs of what he can be. There have been times in the last two years where Woods looked like he could be the next in the long line of dominant Tar Heel point guards. But as many times he has shown good signs, he has shown signs of being a complete miss.
Nobody is asking Woods to be a 15 points per game scorer for the Tar Heels. But if Woods can be around 9-10 points per game, the Tar Heels will be more than happy.
Woods needs to get stronger, learn the offense more and work on his jumper.
For those thinking that Woods is a foregone conclusion to start, you are mistaken. Coby White will get plenty of chances to earn a starting opportunity for North Carolina. But we know how much Roy Williams values experience.
Between the two, Woods will be the favorite to claim the starting spot from day one. But if Woods does not take advantage of his leg up and this offseason, White could be starting come tournament time next year.
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As Tar Heels fans, we all are counting on Seventh Woods to make a big leap forward for next season. If he does, there is a chance the Tar Heels can make the second weekend of the tournament next year. If he doesn’t, it could be another trip home after the first weekend.