UNC Basketball: Andrew Platek 2018-19 season in review

UNC basketball sophomore guard Andrew Platek made fewer appearances and played less minutes in year two with the Tar Heels, but his consistent and steady approach will help him to continue to get opportunities moving forward.

Nassir Little | Rechon Black | Sterling Manley | Garrison Brooks | Coby White | Brandon Huffman

Andrew Platek was one of four scholarship sophomores on the North Carolina roster last season, along with the front court trio of Garrison Brooks, Sterling Manley and Brandon Huffman.

Brooks was the only member of the class that got substantial minutes during the quartet’s second season in Chapel Hill, as he started all 36 games he played in and averaged 23 minutes per contest. Sophomore reserves Platek, Manley and Huffman, though, were used sparingly as they battled with inconsistency, injury and inexperience respectively, throughout the season.

The good

Platek’s attitude and approach have never changed throughout his first two seasons in Chapel Hill. Whether he’s shot the ball well, or struggled with inconsistency, his mindset and intensity on the defensive end of the court have remained the same.

Platek is always one of the first players out of his seat on the bench when celebrating a momentous victory or a teammate’s outstanding individual play. He’s a terrific locker room guy, and works hard in practice to be prepared for games.

The bad

Platek played in fewer games and logged less minutes as a sophomore than he did as a freshman, and his per game averages were the same or worse in every major statistical category.

He scored nearly a point less per game in 32 appearances, and averaged just 0.3 rebounds compared to the 1.1 boards he logged the prior year. He also shot a lower percentage from both the floor, and three-point range, as well as the free throw line.

He committed fewer turnovers and fouls than he did a season ago, but considering he played less than half the minutes that he did during the 2017-18 season, it wasn’t really a marked improvement.

Best game

Platek’s best performance of the season came in a 116-67 victory over Elon in the team’s second game of the season. In his first game action of the season, the sophomore guard came in and scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting while grabbing a rebound and a steal in just nine minutes of play.

What the future holds

Platek will undoubtedly continue to work hard, and hope that his efforts in practice carry over to in-game success. His head coach believes in him, and will continue to give him opportunities to excel on the court. He should see more minutes during his junior season with the Tar Heels, and an improved shot will help him get in the game more often, and stay on the court for longer spells.