UNC Basketball: Bruce Pearl explains why Walker Kessler left Tar Heels

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl explained on Selection Sunday why Walker Kessler left the UNC basketball program.

One of the most polarizing topics among North Carolina basketball fans this season — as strange as it may be — is the departure of former Tar Heel Walker Kessler, who left UNC for Auburn following his freshman campaign in Chapel Hill.

Some fans were sad to see Kessler go and some were flat-out shocked. Others were downright angry. A number of the angry ones routinely get upset with me for continuing to follow his career after he decided to leave the Tar Heels in search of an opportunity that he felt better suited him. They curse me for writing about him or mentioning him on social media, telling me “it’s time to let it go” and that “nobody cares about him.”

But as you can see, my interest in him remains strong, as does that of a multitude of UNC fans, whether the angry types want to admit that or not. Thus, my efforts to continue writing about him and following his intriguing amateur career are unaffected by the mean tweets that I know are bound to follow.

Selection Sunday was the latest installment in the Kessler saga, one that reignited my interest and gave a little different perspective about why he chose to leave UNC nearly a year ago this month. The topic was broached following the NCAA Tournament Selection Show when Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl talked with the CBS sports desk about the sophomore big man’s reason for leaving the Tar Heels and how tough of a decision it was for him.

When asked how Kessler was able to make such an improvement from year one to year two, Pearl immediately mentioned opportunity, opportunity that the 7-foot-1 center was lacking in a reserve role with the Tar Heels but has taken full advantage of with the Tigers this season.

Pearl went on to talk about the difference between the two systems, highlighting Auburn’s uptempo basket-facing, ball screen-and-roll offense that affords Kessler more time to face the basket, put the ball on the floor, and drive to the bucket, rather than having his back to it. He talked about their defense extending out, which forces players to come at him more, and how their system has allowed Kessler to become the elite shot blocker and rim protector that he is today.

Whether or not those reasons sit well with North Carolina fans is a different story.

It’s also worth mentioning that Pearl said it was one of the hardest decisions that Kessler has ever had to make, noting his love for North Carolina and head coach Roy Williams. As you well know, Kessler announced his intent to leave North Carolina immediately following the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Wisconsin last year and Williams retired just over a week later.

Was everything Pearl touched on in his interview said in earnest? Was it all one big shot at UNC or Coach Williams or Coach Davis? I know that’s what many of you will jump to, but I don’t believe that to be the case.

Pearl is in a great situation with a school that never wants him to leave and has a team that can truly compete for a national championship. Taking cheap shots at Kessler’s former school seems completely unwarranted and beneath him, and I can’t imagine he would be that petty when he’s the one that gets to trot Kessler out onto the court every game.

But then again, I don’t share the same bitter hatred and firey disdain for Bruce Pearl that a number of you seem to.

I’d obviously love to see the dominant seven-footer in a Carolina uniform, but I’m happy for Kessler that he made the decision that best suits him, his development, and his future. And in truth, I’ve immensely enjoyed the season we’ve gotten from Oklahoma transfer Brady Manek, and I’m not sure UNC fans ever get to see him in a Carolina uniform without the departure of Kessler.

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