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CHAPEL HILL North Carolina was voted the unanimous No.1 in Friday's Associated Press preseason basketball poll partially because of its wealth of returning experience.
To stay there, the Tar Heels might have to depend on their youth.
With reigning national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough sidelined until at least mid-November because of a stress reaction in his right shin, freshmen forwards Tyler Zeller and Ed Davis are playing a bigger role in practice – and might have to play more minutes in games, depending on how fast Hansbrough heals.
Hansbrough, a senior, had a bone scan Friday that confirmed there is no fracture in his leg. Coach Roy Williams said in a prepared statement there is a “great possibility” the team would hold its leading scorer and rebounder out of practice for two weeks, then re-evaluate his condition. That means Hansbrough would likely not be ready for the season opener against Penn on Nov. 15.
No matter how long Hansbrough is ultimately sidelined, guard Bobby Frasor said he is confident his deep team – which returned its top six scorers from last year's Final Four squad – will be OK.
“We don't really have to worry and go crazy and change the way we play, because we have people who can step up and fill that role for a little bit,” he said. “And in the long run, we may look back and say, ‘Hey, this was a good opportunity for some guys.'”
Hansbrough's injury creates more space in the lane for junior forward Deon Thompson, who started all but one game last season and is now the most experienced player in the post.
Danny Green, 6-foot-6, could also slide down to power forward in a pinch, although he's probably needed more on the wing because senior small forward Marcus Ginyard is sidelined until at least December after foot surgery.
So the biggest opportunities are available for 7-foot Zeller and 6-10 Davis, who were named “Mr. Basketball” in their states and McDonald's All-Americans last season.
North Carolina freshmen are not available for media interviews until after they have played in a game. Coach Roy Williams said Sunday that Zeller, who teammates and coaches have been calling ‘Z' and ‘Big Z' in practice, has had more “wow” moments than the rest of the quartet of rookies.
“He has wonderful hands, and he can really run. … If you've got a big guy who can run and has hands, you've got something you can really work with,” Williams said of the reedy Zeller, who has gained 21 pounds since he arrived on campus.
“If he also has good touch, that adds more to it. If he also doesn't mind trying to do things – he shot 70 percent in his high school senior year – there are a lot of things there that are pretty doggone good.
“In my opinion, he's going to surprise some people. Because yes, he was a McDonald's All-American, but I don't think people really thought he was as good as I think he can be.”
Davis has been more limited in practice, missing Saturday's workout because of an injured fat pad in his knee. He returned Tuesday and his teammates have been impressed with his moves in the lane.
“Ed really gets to the offensive boards; he's tough and aggressive,” Green said. “… He mixes his game up. He's more of a power guy; he goes to the rim aggressively.”
Both freshmen still need to pick up the defensive rotations, Frasor and Green said. And fast.
North Carolina already had a challenging early schedule, and it will be more difficult if Hansbrough ends up missing multiple games. The Tar Heels will play Kentucky on Nov.18, meaning the big men will be challenged by 6-9 sophomore Patrick Patterson, who averaged 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds last season.
In the Maui Invitational on Nov.24-26, North Carolina could face No.7 Texas or No.9 Notre Dame. The latter would mean a matchup with 6-8 junior forward Luke Harangody, who averaged 23.3 points and 11.3 rebounds last year.
Then there's the ACC/Big Ten Challenge game on Dec.3 against No.6 Michigan State in Detroit. Enough said.
Still, the Tar Heels veterans seemed confident they could survive without their No.1 player. After all, they still boast plenty of experience and depth.
“Of course we are all disappointed for Tyler and our team,” Williams said, “but everybody on the roster has a chance to do a little more and play a little better to help make up for the loss of the national player of the year.”
