UNC Basketball: Why Cole Anthony’s injury could be a blessing in disguise

The 2019-20 Tar Heels are the most dependent team Roy Williams has had in his tenure at North Carolina.

It’s been ugly in Chapel Hill. Either Cole Anthony plays at an extreme level or they lose, it’s pretty simple. It’s not fun to watch nor a brand of any success, so maybe a short absence from Anthony could be what turns this season around.

It’s a confidence thing in Carolina right now, and there are very few guys in baby blue who possess it at the moment. And that’s where the blessing in disguise comes in to play. Many will find this statement I just made outrageous, but hear me out.

Depth is everything no matter the sport. A team’s top players can be the best in the league, but if the others can’t rise to the occasion when called upon, they will always fall short. Well, that’s been the issue with this Heels team. Cole Anthony is a standout, top tier basketball player, but the rest of the team hasn’t been consistent.

Now, Anthony is absent for the time being, this team has been struggling and have their backs are against the wall. It’s an opportunity for the rest of the team to come together and rise to the occasion. A chance for these guys to show why they were recruited by North Carolina in the first place, so when Anthony does return this team will be elevated to new heights.
Ultimately, this allows others to grow, the spotlight will be shared and the individual improvements will be evident. All the roles have changed now for these players. More is expected from everyone if success anticipated.

Carolina fell short to Wofford in their first outing since the Anthony injury as the team found out hours before that they would be without the star freshman plus sophomore Leaky Black. It’s a learning period for the Heels and I’m excited to watch other’s step up. The Tar Heels head to Gonzaga Wednesday night to face off with the Bulldogs who have leaped to the number two ranking in the country.

This matchup could present serious issues for the Heels. This Gonzaga squad is lengthy and full of talent. It’s a chance for North Carolina to let everyone know on the highest stage that they’re not going to fold anytime soon, despite the injury.

It’s a down year in Chapel Hill, but there’s definitely potential.

Anthony is still a star and will return at some point with a group of guys around him that have gotten better. At the end of the day it’s Tar Heel basketball, trust that in itself, a winning tradition with a winning coach…They’ll figure it out, they always do.

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