Roy Williams discusses upcoming trip to the Bahamas for the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program
We are just a few months away from the start of a new college basketball season and the North Carolina Tar Heels are itching to get back on the court. After being upset in the second round to Texas A&M last year, UNC enters the 2018-19 year with a different look.
Head coach Roy Williams brought in a top 10 recruiting class with five-star recruits Nassir Little and Coby White, along with four-star recruit Rechon Black. That class will join a Tar Heels team that has seniors Cam Johnson, Luke Maye, and Kenny Williams.
Sophomores Sterling Manley and Garrison Brooks are hoping to take the next step in their development and juniors Seventh Woods and Brandon Robinson are looking to increase their roles.
While we have to wait until Nov. 6 against Wofford to see this team play in a meaningful game, we will get an early look at what to expect in August when the Tar Heels travel to the Bahamas.
UNC is set to play in two exhibition games in the Bahamas on August 17th and 19th, going up against the Bahamas All-Stars in Nassau. The team will be allowed to practice for a few days leading up to the two games and it will provide an early look at how the team is coming together.
On Tuesday, Williams met the media for the first time since his annual basketball camp a few weeks back as he was helping promote the state’s new NC Real ID, a new driver’s license and single form of identification that will be required in the state by 2020. Among those in attendance was Inside Carolina’s Ross Martin as Williams discussed the offseason and upcoming trip to the Bahamas.
Here’s what he had to say via Martin:
"“That gives us a chance to come back and have three days of practice before we go down there,” Williams said. “We will practice two days down there and play two games. We’ll get our freshmen used to playing at a faster tempo than they have ever played, just seeing how they fit in, and it gives us an early indication of how fast we may be able to go in the preseason.”"
Williams went on to mention that the team’s last trip to the Bahamas back in 2014 included playing against DeAndre Ayton who is a native of Nassau. Ayton was just selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns after spending one season at Arizona.
The Tar Heels will play their first game in the Bahamas at 7:30 p.m. ET on August 17th and then have a day off before returning to action at 3 p.m. ET on August 19th.
Following the trip to the Bahamas, they will open up training camp in September.
Next: 5 Early storylines for the Tar Heels in 2018-19
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