UNC Basketball: Five Bold Predictions For 2019-20

3. Garrison Brooks makes All-ACC Defensive Team

Somehow this past year, Kenny Williams was left off of the All-ACC Defensive Team, but next year it won’t happen to Carolina again.

One of the most underrated big men in the ACC, Brooks makes a living at the rim on offense but is also a terrific defensive player. With a defensive rating of 98.4, better than most, it still doesn’t show how valuable Brooks’ is on the defensive end of the floor.

In the ACC Tournament, it was on full display.

For most of the night, Brooks was matched up against Zion Williamson, holding him in check as best as anyone in the country did all year.

In the first half of that game, Brooks played 14 minutes, holding Williamson to just 6-for-10 shooting. Now, obviously that would be a great stat line for anyone else, but Zion plays in the paint and rarely attempts shots outside, so forcing him to miss four shots from within five feet is extremely effective.

What isn’t shown in the box score is how difficult Brooks made those attempts. With Brooks’ ability to move side-to-side, his agile frame allowed him to effect Williamson’s shot multiple times.

In the second half, however, Brooks was in foul trouble almost the entire 20 minutes, only playing eight minutes. Williamson, with the skill that he has, took advantage and got almost anything he wanted with either Luke Maye or Nassir Little guarding him, going 7-for-9, including the game-winning put back.

With another offseason to gain strength and work on his agility, even more, watch for Brooks to have a monster defensive year next season.