An early prediction of UNC Basketball’s 2018-19 starting lineup
By Grant Hughes
Point Guard: Seventh Woods
Seventh Woods came to UNC with a lot of hype, but has failed to live up to it in his first two years of college. The Columbia, South Carolina native averaged 1.1 points in seven minutes per game last season.
His lack of success can be partly attributed to minor injuries that have nagged him since high school. However, he should be approaching full health for the first time since enrolling at UNC.
Woods’ experience makes him an early favorite to start at point guard over incoming freshman Coby White. Though White is the superior scorer, Roy Williams will undoubtedly go with a veteran to run the point early on and hinted to such in an interview with Inside Carolina when he stated the Woods was ahead of everybody else thanks to how long he has been with the program.
If Woods can regain the explosiveness that made his high school mixtape a phenomenon, he could be a dangerous weapon in UNC’s fast break offense. If not, he could be relegated to bench duties behind the likes of White, Rechon Black, and K.J. Smith.
A big opportunity is on deck for Woods and he needs to capitalize for his sake, and the team’s.
Alternate Option: Coby White
White comes to UNC as a highly touted recruit, and is expected to make an immediate impact his freshman year.
The McDonald’s All-American finished his high school career ranked 19th in his class by ESPN. A five-star prospect, White was also ranked as the fourth-best point guard nationally the top player in the state of North Carolina.
White would give UNC the scoring punch Woods has yet to show. If Woods can’t make the jump, don’t be surprised to see White starting at some point this season.