CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s taken almost three years for the answer to become apparent.
Rewind the clock that far, back to Hubert Davis’ introductory press conference as North Carolina’s head coach. What stands out? Maybe, even still, the shock of his predecessor’s retirement: Roy Williams abruptly calling it a career only days earlier, on (of all dates) April Fool’s. Or maybe you remember Davis’ crisp plaid suit — or more likely, the small circular pin he wore on the left lapel, black save for three capital, Carolina blue letters: DES, for Dean Edwards Smith, Davis’ college coach. But more than anything? What stood out then, and still endures today, was the guiding philosophy Davis outlined.
Last year, the North Carolina Tar Heels were able to find success in the transfer portal after seeing a mass exodus. Hubert Davis and his staff were able to land two starters in Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan plus a few key role players.
And it looks like this year the Tar Heels will need to find success in there as well.
With Armando Bacot and Cormac Ryan out of eligibility, the Tar Heels will have to replace two starters. They could have to replace four as RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram face some tough decisions with the NBA. If both leave, it would create two more holes.
247Sports Released their biggest needs for each team in the Power 5 including the Tar Heels. Here is what they had to say about UNC’s biggest needs in the transfer portal:
It will be critical for the Tar Heels to address these needs if they want to find success next season. But easier said than done. It will certainly help if the Tar Heels get RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram back, but they will need to prepare for the worst just in case.