The length and athleticism at North Carolina’s disposal start up front with junior post Armando Bacot (6’10”, 240 lbs.). Quite simply, he is a force in three key areas of the game. He can score, leading the Heels at 16.4 PPG. He shoots 59% from the floor, although he’s not really not a threat from the arc (1-8 on the season). He is an elite rebounder, averaging 12.5 RPG, and he is an elite shot blocker, averaging almost 2 BPG and altering many more.
Although not a big scorer, senior forward Leaky Black (6’8”, 200 lbs.) is a very good defender. His length and his lateral quickness typically allow him to effectively neutralize opponents’ shooters. And even though he doesn’t score much, Black is effective in the shots he takes, particularly from the three-point line, where he is averaging 35%.
Black has been the only consistent defender for the Tar Heels all season (Bacot has games where he seems to zone out a bit), but the other three starters, senior Brady Manek (6’9”, 230 lbs.) and sophomores Caleb Love (6’4”, 195 lbs.) and RJ Davis (6’0”, 175 lbs.) can all score in bunches.
Much has been made of Manek’s ability to shoot from distance, and there is no better example of this than how he tore apart Baylor last weekend. Before being controversially ejected against the Bears, Manek had 26 points in 28 minutes on 4-8 shooting from behind the arc. Manek is averaging 15.1 PPG.