Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Why Cole Anthony and Jeremiah Francis should both start

By Carson Brown

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins drives against Jeremiah Francis #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tar Heels defeated the Bruins 74-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 21: Tyger Campbell #10 of the UCLA Bruins drives against Jeremiah Francis #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the CBS Sports Classic at T-Mobile Arena on December 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tar Heels defeated the Bruins 74-64. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The word ‘perfect’ has seldom been used when talking about the UNC basketball program this season, but Cole Anthony and Jeremiah Francis starting in the backcourt together could be just that.

Jeremiah Francis is a facilitator and Cole Anthony is a scorer. It’s a two-headed monster; a whole new style of play that comes together for the Tar Heels. The ability to have different offensive sets built for alternate purposes based on which brings the balls up the court.

It’s been pretty evident in the last few games that Francis is a natural when it comes to running and leading an offense with control. And that’s not to say that Anthony didn’t run the offense well, but Francis will do a better job of keeping everyone involved while still getting Anthony the shots he wants.

Anthony’s game, whether he likes it or not, is based around putting the ball in the hoop. He plays point guard, but doesn’t distribute like one. If Anthony runs as the two-guard, he might become a more effective player within the UNC offense.

Running off screens has become a lost art in basketball nowadays. It’s all about creating off on-ball picks. However, if Anthony could be much more efficient if he were doing less with the ball, and relying on other players to get him good shots.

Anthony is as special of a college scorer as you’ll find, so you might as well utilize the fact that his niche is to put the ball in the hoop. And by the time he returns to action, Francis will only have more experience under his belt.

Picture this starting lineup in a few weeks:

  1. Jeremiah Francis
  2. Cole Anthony
  3. Brandon Robinson
  4. Garrison Brooks
  5. Armando Bacot

That leaves Francis at the helm with shooters on his left and right, and two finishers rim-running all game long. To me, it seems like a legit lineup that can play at the level of anyone in the country. Things just have to come together for the Tar Heels, and Cole Anthony needs to return in good health to help lead this team to the tournament.

light. Related Story. Tar Heels need more from Armando Bacot

At the end of the day, this isn’t a knock on Cole Anthony. He just happens to have a player on his team who can facilitate better than him. Anthony is a terrific talent with so many skills, and I’m just thinking while he only has a few months left as a Tar Heel that he might as well be used to his fullest potential.

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