North Carolina received some disappointing – but not unexpected – news last week, when Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Kendall Marshall all announced they were leaving school to enter the NBA draft. Today, though, the Tar Heels received some good news.
James Michael McAdoo, the freshman forward, is coming back to school. Here’s the story.
Obviously, this is great news for UNC, which had already lost its four best players from a season ago (including Tyler Zeller, the senior who earned ACC Player of the Year honors). McAdoo’s return means that the Tar Heels will have back at least one proven frontcourt player. And that’s better than having no proven frontcourt players, which would have been the case had McAdoo left.
McAdoo arrived at UNC amid high expectations, but he struggled through the first half of his freshman season. But he began to emerge in late January, and then played a key role for the Tar Heels in March – especially when Henson sat out three games after suffering a left wrist injury during the ACC tournament.
McAdoo is likely to be the focal point of UNC’s offense during the 2012-13 season. As his freshman season progressed, he showed a consistent ability to make the medium-range jump shot, and to be an effective offensive rebounder. Some of best scoring opportunities came off of offensive rebounds. During the summer, McAdoo is most likely to spend his time working on his interior post-up game.
Here’s what McAdoo had to say about his decision. He released these comments in a statement from UNC:
“I’ve had several discussions about my future plans with my family and Coach [Roy] Williams and have decided to return to UNC to continue playing for the Tar Heels and continue my education. I love being at Carolina and really enjoy competing with and being around my teammates and am excited about what we can do together next season.
Every young basketball player wants to have as much information about his future and understand what others in the game think about him. It’s been interesting to learn the information that Coach Williams has gathered, but I am ready to continue as a Tar Heel.
“I’m enjoying my time in Chapel Hill and am excited about the future for my team and me.”
With McAdoo back, here’s a guess at what the Tar Heels’ starting five could look like at the start of the 2012-13 season:
PG: Marcus Paige, freshman
SG: Dexter Strickland, senior
SG/SF: Reggie Bullock, junior
SF/PF: James Michael McAdoo, sophomore
PF/C: Brice Johnson, freshman
Figure the first two players off the bench being shooting guards Leslie McDonald and P.J. Hairston, and add in freshman small forward J.P. Tokoto, and UNC still has the makings of a team that could compete for the ACC championship.
-Andrew Carter
Thursday, April 5, 2012
James Michael McAdoo is returning to UNC: What it means
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28 comments:
compete for the acc championship? doubtful. if true, wow the acc is worse than i thought.
"In the fight" for an ACC Championship is not out of the question. That proposed starting lineup, although not the caliber of this past years' is certainly nothing to laugh at. What we need is one of those freshmen to come in and really surprise. We need a consistent 3-point threat, but overall it could be worse. If teams take us lightly because of what we lost, I think they will pay.
I agree and am eager to see what Roy can do with the new guys on the block. It will be interesting,and they will do well. I do think State is a bright spot in the coming ACC year, and I also find that to be refreshing for them.
Anonymous...how could that squad NOT compete for an ACC championship? The Heels are always competing, no matter who they lose or who they bring in.
Face it, if you hate Carolina and thought next year would be the year your Wulfies would actually do something in 30 years, well.....wake up.
If Alex Oriakhi decides to spend his remaining year of eligibilty with Carolina then we're talking about another elite 8 team.
Does that scare most of you? Sorry to ruin your Good Friday,
Reminds me exactly of when Ed Davis decided to return to the 2010 team. Unproven 4-star point guard, no one that can create their own shot, bloated preseason top 10 ranking, etc.
Don't forget Joel James coming in next year. 6'10 260... he's a beast..the PF and C position rotations will not be as bad a folks think.
Wow, empty predictions and blind faith delusions are floating in a river of koolade here. This team will have trouble keeping up with its 15/501 neighbours.
DOVER12....put the pipe down brah.This team will be middle of the pack in the ACC and will be lucky to make the NCAA tourney.I see another 8-20 season coming like in 2001/2002 and not making the big dance for the 4th time in 11 years.That's right tarholes....look it up.3 times in 11 years you have NOT MADE the NCAA tourney,and this year will be the 4th!
Wow...didn't realize that but it's true. Heels already have 3 NCAA tourney misses in the past decade! Dook fans have to think that's funny...
They also have NCAA 2 titles. I'll take that every decade.
I could see Strickland at point for large portions of the game with Hairston at SG. We also have McDonald coming back too.
Next year's squad will certainly not look imposing on paper. However, they should be a far better defensive team, especially on the perimeter. To the haters... we will see how things turn out!
How convenient of you to select a window of eleven years and make the point that UNC has missed the NCAA tournament three times during that period. It's also true they they have missed the tournament three times in the last 37 years!
wouldn't it be possible for Dexter to start at the 1 and Leslie to start at the 2 and at the first media timeout leslie goes off and then bring in paige to play at the 1? he will get starter minutes, but right now before he enrolls, i just don't see him starting.
UNC-CHeats.
Is the projected #1 PG in the country, Paige starts from day 1. And Hairston should start in front of Bullock. His game is better.
Haha SI.com just ranked next year's Heels #8!! The 2012-13 team is already overrated!
Reminds me of 2010 and the NIT Runner Up Heels' preseason #4 ranking!
Half truth people should never be allowed to offer their opinion. Selective memory, conveniently forgot that Ed Davis was injured and out the second half of the season.
Swahili 101: It remains UNC-CH's most respected major.
8:42AM:
The 2010 team was 13-11 (2-7) when Ed Davis went down. Nice try...Heel fans playing the injury card AGAIN.
Is it true Coach K has only gotten past the Sweet 16 once since 2005? He must be losing his touch?
Haha cute, in that timespan K also:
-Saved USA Basketball after the Larry Brown/Roy Williams '04 disgrace
-Won the NCAA title
-Raced by Knight and Dean to become winningest coach ever
-Won 0 NIT runner-up t-shirts!
What's your point?
UNC-CHeats.
UNC will have a very good ACC team next year. I predict these boys will be fine. They can conceivably be better than State and rival with Duke again. This team can move with DEX and Paige and Leslie and Reggie can play defense and shoot the 3 well. James is James and will excel on both sides of the ball. That huge 6'10 inch 260 pounder will plunder inside. Elite 8 definitely,
"Elite 8 definitely"
Hahaha more Tar Heel delusion. You're probably one of the many Walmarters that said "UNC -- 2012 National Champs. Book it."
Good luck making the tournament (the real one). This is State's year...Dook will be much better than UNC too (bringing back everyone except Rivers).
LOL... cause UNC probably doesn't have any good freshmen coming in, right? HA!
Considering Alex Oriachi just spurned UNC for Mizzou, this McAdoo better be amazing down low.
oh that is so good news for UNC, I think they really needed James Michael and I am happy he is back with his team, good luck for him
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