Lathan Wells does the honors:
> The upside for this team is very high, especially if the starters gain confidence with even one win against any of the three marquee teams they meet prior to conference play. If James and Johnson improve significantly from year one to two and Meeks and Hicks are as good as advertised, the team can move back to playing McAdoo at his preferred power forward position and Hairston (when he returns) can once again roam the wing. Paige’s development, and Britt’s ability to get up to speed quickly, will also be paramount. This is a team with the talent to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, but with enough question marks about players’ development from last season that they could also be looking at another second round or Sweet Sixteen exit.
It should be a really interesting year for the Tar Heels. I normally am really optimistic on teams with good coaches who have a “high upside.” I think Carolina fits the bill, and, assuming P.J. Hairston is not out long, they could be playing long into the tournament.