Before this season began some sportswriters – at least one, anyway – dissented from the usual top 20 projections and predicted trouble for North Carolina. As he told Roy Williams, this year reminded him of 2009-10.
That’s when the Tar Heels lost the top four scorers from an NCAA championship squad, three leaving early for the pros (Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green), suffered significant injuries and wound up 20-17 and an NIT finalist.
This year they lost their top five scorers, two leaving early for the pros (Coby White, Nassir Little). Now the emerging ‘20 statistical footprint is starting to resemble that of its inglorious predecessor.