What's different about this year's UNC basketball team? RJ Davis has the answer

RJ Davis laid out the blueprint for this year’s UNC basketball squad.

Jamie Shaw, the National Basketball Recruiting Analyst at On3, covered a press conference with Davis, during which Davis spoke on this team's uniqueness. When asked about the biggest differences of this year’s group compared to year's past, Davis mentioned athleticism, speed, and floor-spacing.

Every Tar Heel fan should perk up hearing Davis say this is the most athletic team he’s been a part of. What this team lacks in size might be made up for in athleticism. Davis also mentioned in his press conference that the Tar Heels are known for playing fast, but this year, it will be cranked up another notch. The winning formula for the Tar Heels will be pushing the pace, beating teams up and down the floor.

The Tar Heels have plenty of athleticism and speed at every spot on the floor — guards, wings, and bigs. Let’s break down how this year’s roster stacks up position by position.

Looking at the guards, five-star freshman Ian Jackson and junior Seth Trimble stand out as elite athletes. Jackson is one of the more athletic North Carolina players in recent memory. He’s a high-flying freak of nature, capable of throwing down tomahawk and windmill jams with ease. The 6-foot-4 guard loves attacking the rim with a vengeance.

Trimble might be the most athletic returnee for the Tar Heels. Trimble stands at 6-foot-3, but he plays much bigger than his height. He’s a rock-solid 195 pounds and can jump out of the gym. In their Round of 32 matchup versus Michigan State last year, Trimble stuffed a larger opponent at the rim on two separate occasions.

Sophomore guard Elliot Cadeau should have no problems pushing the pace for the Tar Heels. Cadeau loves to get the ball up the floor in transition. He has next-level court vision, dropping dimes and threading the needle to teammates.

Davis is, of course, the heart and soul of the UNC basketball program. He’ll be looking to replicate his First-Team All-American performance from last season. Davis will go down as one of the all-time North Carolina greats. With the Tar Heels boasting potentially the best backcourt in the nation, they should have no issues playing at hyper-speed. 

The wing group for the Tar Heels also brings in plenty of athleticism. Five-star freshman Drake Powell might be the most versatile player for the Tar Heels. As a long, bouncy, 6-foot-6 wing, Powell possesses the most NBA-ready build on this team. He ran plenty of point guard in high school, and the Tar Heels look to utilize him all over the floor at the 2-4 spots.

Graduate student Jae’Lyn Withers offers a unique combination of wing and post-skill sets for the Tar Heels. Last year, he had moments where his explosive athleticism shined. Withers was one of North Carolina’s most reliable lob threats a season ago. His size and jumping ability will be important for the Tar Heels.

Junior transfer Cade Tyson fits the mold of a fast-paced, four-out Tar Heels squad. Tyson has the perfect blend of size and shooting, being one of the nation's deadliest three-point threats. He’ll spread the floor at the 3 and 4.

After the departures of Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram to the NBA, this will be a new-look Tar Heels frontcourt. It’s not a traditional North Carolina big-man group, but there should be plenty of athleticism and firepower. 

Junior Jalen Washington has more spring than people give him credit for. Last season, on the road at Duke, Washington caught a pass and immediately exploded off a one-two step, posterizing three Blue Devils. And, while the team will miss Bacot, Washington brings something different to the table. Bacot has more brute force. Washington has more finesse. Washington has superior length, athleticism, and floor-spacing capabilities, which should fit well in this year’s style of play.

The big men transfers the Tar Heels bring in — Ven-Allen Lubin and Ty Claude — are both small-ball bigs with elite offensive rebounding. Lubin can stretch the floor and create for himself with a knock-down midrange jumper and strong post-play. Claude will be a true enforcer on the team, adding hustle, grit, and toughness — all things the Tar Heels will need when things get chippy.

Freshman big James Brown will have a limited role, but he’ll have a great group to learn from. After he adds some more strength and gets familiar with the college game, he should make an impact down the road. 

Clearly, North Carolina has athleticism, speed, and floor spacing at every position, and that’s not something every Tar Heel squad has possessed in years past.

Davis’ press conference response should help alleviate some worries about the lack of size and post play on this year’s squad. The Tar Heels are playing to their strengths. Fans should be confident that this team will thrive in their new lightning-fast identity.