Zeller says turnovers a focus for UNC

CHARLOTTE - North Carolina junior center Tyler Zeller said he notices differences in coach Roy Williams after the Tar Heels' disappointing, 20-17 finish last season.

At the ACC's basketball media tipoff event this morning, Zeller said Williams is using the same system, but is more intense in this preason. According to Zeller, Williams also is honing in with sharper focus on some of the technical aspects of the game, and turnovers in particular.

The Tar Heels ranked last in the ACC in turnover margin last season at minus-1.5 per game.

"Turnovers are a big thing, and he's always harping on, 'You've got to take care of the ball,' " Zeller said.

Zeller also said losing senior Will Graves, who was dismissed from the team for an unspecified violation of team rules, was "tragic." Zeller said Graves' ability to score from the perimeter and make big players try to guard him outside will be missed.

"It's a great loss for us," Zeller said, "but at the same time, we'll be able to recover."

Ken Tysiac