UNC is going to be just fine

UNC opened up in the Bayou of Louisiana against Tulane University with a 95-75 win. I'll be the first one to admit I had so many questions about this team, this program. After coming up short in heartbreaking fashion just a couple months ago in the National Championship game there is so much left to be sorted out. Although it was a game that UNC should win, tonight showed who the Tar Heels will be. The Tar Heels opening up on a road is a cruise control win showed that they are going to keep being resilient. It's no debate that they miss Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige. How can you not miss a First Team All-American and the heart of your heart for the past four years? However, the Tar Heels talked all off season about this being a season fueled by avenging that loss to Villanova. They have spoke all summer and fall about the bad taste they have from that game and how it is going to push them through this season, I can't disagree with the way they looked tonight. Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson looked the part of Paige and Johnson. They need to be for this Tar Heel team to be successful. The duo combined for 50 points and more importantly were the calming forces for the team. Anytime the games momentum went Tulane's way Berry or Jackson was there to make a big shot. Jackson and Berry did what they need to do, what they expect themselves to do, but other Tar Heels made promising contributions.

Tony Bradley for starters. Bradley, the lone McDAA freshman was huge tonight. His first half was great. He plays just like Brice Johnson and looks to be another great big to come through the Tar Heel program. Isaiah Hicks is always overlooked, but he was the most impressive outside of Berry and Jackson. Hicks is going to grab rebounds and be efficient around the rim, that's a given, but what stuck out to me was the way he defended. Hicks has been known as a foul happy player during his career and tonight was definitely a refreshing change in his style of play. He also hit a couple jump shots which will only help UNC's offensive flow. Meeks was his usual self, up and down at times but he always rebound and had a QUIET 15 and 7. Kenny Williams played a great role defensively and on the boards for the Heels as he got his first start of his career due to the absence of Theo Pinson. Nate Britt was Nate Britt, reliable. The freshman all looked well except for Seventh Woods who looked nervous at times but that shouldn't be something to be concerned about. The player that is probably the most of overlooked on this team is Luke Maye, he was a monster on the boards. 

All in all it's just game one and the optimism from me will  likely fluctuate more than the Dow Jones after a Trump election. But this team will be fine. They will struggle at times but come ACC play they should be close to getting Pinson back and will be a top 15 to top 10 caliber team. This team can make another run and try to get redemption. Also, it is great to have College Basketball back, one of the better time of the year in sports. Judging by the games on opening night, it should be a good one.