Believe it or not, earlier today the Tar Heels held their first practice of the 2023-24 season, with the season opener roughly seven weeks away. This off-season has felt longer than most, in large part due to the Tar Heels' absence in the NCAA Tournament last season, after starting the season, as the preseason #1 team. That led to a complete overhaul of the program, which saw players like Caleb Love, Dontez Styles, and Puff Johnson exit the program via the portal. On the flipside, Davis worked the portal as hard as any Power 5 coach in the country, bringing in a handful of transfers, including former McDonald’s All-American, Harrison Ingram.
Despite leading Carolina to the national title game in his first season, this roster is one that fits what Hubert Davis is looking for, with multiple creators on offense, and players that he believes in his offensive system, will be good perimeter shooters. Of course, the Tar Heels return veterans in Armando Bacot, who is using his COVID year for his super senior season, and R.J. Davis is back for his senior campaign. There is a nice blend of experience, and youthful talent, that hopefully sets the Tar Heels up for success this year, and in the years to come.
After a disappointing 2022-23 season, the pressure is on Hubert Davis to return the program to its rightful place, which is among the nation’s elite. Let’s hope today was the first step for the 2023-24 Tar Heels, to become a team that can compete for both ACC and national titles.
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