The Biggest ACC Myths this season #2

We now come to our second biggest myth in the ACC this year.  This one has particularly been expounded in Chapel Hill, where desperation and pride may be blinding people to facts.



Myth #2: UNC will be fine next year

This is the natural progression of the "UNC will turn things around soon" myth that persisted for most of the first half of the ACC season until being officially shattered when they lost to Duke for the first time in over 2 years last week.  Now instead fans are turning their eyes to next year.  And their are certainly reasons for optimism.  A savior is on the way.  They still have one of the best coaches in basketball and an embarrassment of McDonald's all americans on the roster.  And quite simply, they're North Carolina.  They never stay down for long.  That said, the solution may not be that simple.
Let me be clear.  We're not saying that next year will be as bad as this year.  Its highly doubtful that UNC will be playing a game to stay out of the bottom of the ACC standings in mid February next year.  That said, to expect a return to national prominence may be expecting too much.

This year's Heels team has suffered from a lack of steady ball handling, a lack of commitment to defense, a void in the area of veteran leadership, and somewhat shockingly a seeming lack of top shelf talent.   Only one of these has an immediate solution in sight.  The final issue will certainly be partially resolved next year as UNC brings ins 3 top-level recruits including #1 ranked Harrison Barnes.  However there could be plenty of damage in that department as well.  If Ed Davis and John Henson bolt early (and both are projected as possible lottery picks) the Heels will be relying almost solely upon that recruiting haul to reestablish themselves.  And as they've learned this year, hype and high recruiting rankings do not guarantee anything for the next year.  Some will point to Kentucky's success this year as a sign that with the #1 recruit in the class and a few other highly ranked freshmen, anything is possible.  However it should be pointed out that UK returned the preseason SEC player of the year in Patrick Patterson as well as several solid young role players.  It should be noted too that Kentucky last year was not as bad as UNC this year, and UNC's recruiting class doesn't match UK's from last year, which was among the best ever.
If Davis and Henson leave, the best player UNC will be returning next year is the talented but injury prone Tyler Zeller, a big guy who has never scored double figures in an ACC game and who's career high for rebounds is 7.  For a team with defensive issues to begin with, they would be losing their 2 best defenders.  And unless Kendall Marshall comes in ready to play from Day 1, Larry Drew would still be the point guard.  So be hopeful UNC fans, help is on the way.  But if Davis and Henson bolt this summer, don't look for a miracle turnaround.  This is a fix-up job that may take a while.