3 Reasons Why North Carolina Will Win the NCAA Tourney

Barnes, my pick for the Naismith, looks to be the focal point of the 2011 Tar Hells.

3.) Experience

• In overall age, the Tar Heels are very young, with their only senior standout being Tyler Zeller, but they have the experience of veteran squad.  They return all 5 starters from last seasons team and look poised to build on the momentum they built up from last years tournament run. This starting roster went 14-2 last year in the second best basketball conference in America and that was with barely any big time experience.  After the ACC, this team made the Elite 8 last year falling to the Kentucky Wildcats. With the experience gained throughout the tournament, the sky is literally the limit.  Those same two teams will meet again this year, first in Lexington, and the second time in New Orleans.  

2.) Depth

• At seemingly every position, they have two players ready to step in play well.  A backup point guard is the only position that is worrisome in this lineup with Stillman White, a freshman from Wilmington, holding that position.  The frontcourt and the backcourt are loaded with skill and more importantly, size.  The average Tar Heel is around 6'6'' 210, not too bad huh. North Carolina has all the players it needs to battle injuries and overcome any adversity.   

1.) Pure Talent

• A staggering nine players out of the sixteen man roster are McDonald's All-American's so you can bet on talent coming in when talent goes out.  Other big-time programs such as Pittsburgh have only had two McDonald's All-American's in the last two decades.  On a recent list put out on CBSSports.com debating the 100 best college players, North Carolina had four players in the top ten alone.  Kendall Marshall is the purest point guard in the country with ability to visualize three plays ahead.  Tyler Zeller and John Henson are tremendous defensive players with Zeller's offensive repertoire as a weapon as well.  Overall, I think this team has 8 future first round picks on it and if my memory serves me correctly the 1995-1996 Kentucky Wildcats had 9 future pro's on it and they won the NCAA tournament rather easily.  Carolina has the ability to be one of the best and most talented team in decades.  Don't forget who told you first, Chapel Thrill will add another banner.