2006-07 Preview TABLE OF CONTENTS 4-Time NCAA Champs GENERAL INFORMATION 2005-06 Game-by-Game Team Statistics ...... 87 Dean E. Smith ...... 204 Table of Contents, Quick Facts ...... 1 2005-06 Highs and Lows ...... 88 Smith Center Records ...... 205-206 2006-07 Schedule ...... 2 2006-07 Roster ...... 3 HISTORY MISCELLANEOUS 2006-07 Preview ...... 4-5 Carolina Fast Facts ...... 90-91 2006-07 Opponent Information ...... 207 Carolina Basketball History ...... 92-99 Media Information ...... 208 PLAYER PROFILES Dean Smith ...... 100-102 The Tar Heel Sports Network ...... 208 Dewey Burke ...... 6 Bill Guthridge & Frank McGuire ...... 103 ...... 7-9 NCAA Tournament History ...... 104-105 The official 2006-07 Uni - ...... 10-13 NCAA Tournament Results ...... 106-107 versity of North Carolina Quentin Thomas ...... 14-16 NCAA Tournament Records ...... 108-109 men’s basketball media Surry Wood ...... 17 1957 NCAA Championship ...... 110 guide is published by the Marc Campbell ...... 18 1982 NCAA Championship ...... 111 UNC Athletic Communi - Mike Copeland ...... 19-20 1993 NCAA Championship ...... 112 cations office. Additional ...... 21-23 2005 NCAA Championship ...... 113 copies of the media guide ...... 24-26 Final Four History ...... 114-117 may be purchased by ...... 27-29 ACC Tournament History ...... 118-121 sending a check for $15 ...... 30-33 Fantastic Finishes ...... 122-125 to: UNC Athletic Com - ...... 34 Smith Center Jerseys ...... 126-135 munications, P.O. Box William Graves ...... 35 Tar Heels in the NBA ...... 136-138 3760, Chapel Hill, N.C., ...... 36 NBA Award Winners ...... 139-140 27514. Alex Stepheson ...... 37 Tar Heels in the NBA Draft ...... 141-142 ...... 38 All-Time Pro Roster ...... 143-145 ...... 39 Tar Heel Hall of Famers ...... 146 Edited & Designed by: Matt Bowers Written by: Steve Kirschner COACHING STAFF PROFILES RECORD BOOK Roy Williams ...... 40-47 Team Records ...... 147-148 Editorial Assistance: Brent Bearden, Lee Becker, Joe Holladay ...... 48 Scoring Records ...... 149-150 Rick Brewer, John D. Edwards, Dan Findlay, Dana Steve Robinson ...... 49 Records ...... 151 Gelin, Kristen Hankins, Dale Herman, John Martin, C.B. McGrath ...... 50 Three-Point Field Goal Records ...... 152 Jeff McLerran, T. Kermit Roberts, Kathryn Roth, Liz ...... 51 Records ...... 153 Ryan, Michael Wintrob Marc Davis, Jonas Sahratian, Wayne Walden, Rebounding Records ...... 154 Eric Hoots ...... 52 Records ...... 155 Photography: Player, coach and staff head shots by Support Staff ...... 53 Records ...... 156 Jeffrey Camarati. Action photos as noted. Photos of Blocked Shot Records ...... 157 NBA players are courtesy of NBA Entertainment and CAROLINA BASKETBALL TRADITION Miscellaneous Records ...... 158 Getty Images unless otherwise noted. Five National Championships ...... 54-55 Opponent Records ...... 159 2005 National Championship ...... 56-59 Yearly Statistical Leaders ...... 160-161 Covers: Designed by Dana Gelin 16 Final Fours ...... 60-61 Bests vs. the ACC ...... 162 Academic Success ...... 62 30 Points, 15 Rebounds, 10 Assists ...... 163-165 Cover Photos: FRONT : Bob Donnan (Miller layup), This is Carolina ...... 63 Annual Team Statistics ...... 166-167 Peyton Williams (Miller dribbles) and Grant Halver - Top Facilities ...... 64-65 UNC Team & Opponent Awards ...... 168-170 son (both Terry photos); INSIDE FRONT : Robert Why Carolina? ...... 66-68 Honor Roll ...... 171-174 Crawford (Frasor, Ginyard, Green) and Donnan Roy Williams ...... 69-71 ACC Honor Roll ...... 175 (Thomas); INSIDE BACK : Sally Sather Tar Heel Pros ...... 72-74 Winning & Losing Streaks ...... 176 (Worthy/Perkins), Hugh Morton (Black/Brust) and Tar Heels in the NBA Draft ...... 75 Year-by-Year Records ...... 177-178 Allen Dean Steele/Daily Tar Heel (Jordan's shot); ...... 76 Scores Since 1953-54 ...... 179-188 BACK : Donnan (Hansbrough blue uniform), Crawford National Exposure ...... 77 Series History vs. 2006-07 Opponents ...... 189-194 (dunking) and Kevin Cox (shooting, white uniform) First in Flight ...... 78-79 Associated Press Poll History ...... 195 Carolina in the Community ...... 80 All-Time Tar Heel Lettermen ...... 196-198 “Carolina Basketball Tradition” Section: Smith Center Game Day ...... 81 Career Stats for 1,000-Point Scorers ...... 199 Designed by John Martin and Matt Bowers Late Night with Roy Williams ...... 82 THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA Printing: Phillips Brothers Printers, Springfield, Ill. 2005-06 SEASON REVIEW University Profile ...... 200 2005-06 Review Notes ...... 83-85 Chancellor Dr. James Moeser ...... 201 Departed Player Bios ...... 85 Director of Athletics Dick Baddour ...... 201 2005-06 Statistics & Results ...... 86 Rams Club ...... 202-203

CAROLINA BASKETBALL 2006-07 QUICK FACTS

GENERAL INFORMATION Assistant Coaches OTHER LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (6) Location Chapel Hill, N.C. Joe Holladay, Steve Robinson, C.B. McGrath No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl. Pos. Founded 1789 Director of Basketball Operations Jerod Haase 15 Dewey Burke 6-0 185 Sr. G Enrollment 26,878 Strength & Conditioning Coordinator 40 Mike Copeland 6-7 225 So. F Nickname Tar Heels Jonas Sahratian 1 Marcus Ginyard 6-5 218 So. G/F School Colors Carolina Blue & White Head Athletic Trainer & Physical Therapist 14 Danny Green 6-5 210 So. F/G Conference Atlantic Coast Marc Davis 11 Quentin Thomas 6-3 185 Jr. G Chancellor Dr. James Moeser Video Assistant Eric Hoots 24 Surry Wood 6-5 205 Jr. F Athletic Director Dick Baddour Arena Dean E. Smith Center (21,750) STARTERS RETURNING (4) NEWCOMERS (7) 2005-06 Record 23-8 (NCAA 2nd round) No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl. Pos. No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl. Pos. 2005-06 ACC Record 12-4 (2nd place) 4 Bobby Frasor 6-3 208 So. G 25 Marc Campbell 5-11 165 So. G 50 Tyler Hansbrough 6-9 245 So. F 2 Wayne Ellington 6-4 195 Fr. G COACHING STAFF 22 Wes Miller 5-11 190 Sr. G 13 William Graves 6-6 260 Fr. F Head Coach Roy Williams 3 Reyshawn Terry 6-8 232 Sr. F 5 Ty Lawson 5-11 193 Fr. G Record at Carolina 75-23, three seasons 32 Alex Stepheson 6-9 225 Fr. F Record Overall (seasons) 493-124 (18 seasons) 21 Deon Thompson 6-8 245 Fr. F 34 Brandan Wright 6-9 205 Fr. F

2006-07 CAROLINA BASKETBALL 1 2006-07 Preview SCHEDULE 4-Time NCAA Champs

DAY DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME TV Wed. Nov. 1 St. Augustine’s (exhibition) Chapel Hill 7:30 p.m. TarHeelBlue.com Sat. Nov. 11 Pfeiffer (exhibition) Chapel Hill TBA TarHeelBlue.com

NIT TIP-OFF Tue. Nov. 14 vs. Sacred Heart (Charlotte Bobcats Arena) Charlotte, N.C. 7 p.m. ESPNU Wed. Nov. 15 vs. Iona or Winthrop (Charlotte Bobcats Arena) Charlotte, N.C. 7 p.m. ESPN

Sun. Nov. 19 Gardner-Webb Chapel Hill 1 p.m. Fox Sports South/NESN

NIT TIP-OFF (if necessary) Wed. Nov. 22 Semifinals (Madison Square Garden) New York, N.Y. 7 & 9:15 p.m. ESPN2 Fri. Nov. 24 Final/Consolation (Madison Square Garden) New York, N.Y. 7 & 4:30 p.m. ESPN2/ESPN

Wed. Nov. 29 Ohio State (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) Chapel Hill 9 p.m. ESPN Sat. Dec. 2 Kentucky Chapel Hill Noon CBS Sat. Dec. 9 High Point Chapel Hill 7 p.m. TBA Sat. Dec. 16 UNC Asheville Chapel Hill 2 p.m. Fox Sports Net Tue. Dec. 19 Florida Atlantic Chapel Hill 7 p.m. ESPNU Fri. Dec. 22 at Saint Louis (Scottrade Center) St. Louis, Mo. 7 p.m. ESPNU Thu. Dec. 28 Rutgers Chapel Hill 7 p.m. ESPN2 Sun. Dec. 31 Dayton Chapel Hill 3 p.m. Fox Sports Net Wed. Jan. 3 Pennsylvania Chapel Hill 8 p.m. ESPN Sun. Jan. 7 Florida State Chapel Hill 7 p.m. Fox Sports Net Wed. Jan. 10 Virginia Chapel Hill 9 p.m. Raycom/LF Sat. Jan. 13 at Virginia Tech (Cassell Coliseum) Blacksburg, Va. 3:30 p.m. ABC Wed. Jan. 17 at Clemson (Littlejohn Coliseum) Clemson, S.C. 7 p.m. ESPN Sat. Jan. 20 Georgia Tech Chapel Hill 9 p.m. ESPN Wed. Jan. 24 at Wake Forest (Lawrence Joel Coliseum) Winston-Salem, N.C. 7 p.m. ESPN Sat. Jan. 27 at Arizona (McKale Center) Tucson, Ariz. 1 p.m. CBS Wed. Jan. 31 Miami Chapel Hill 7 p.m. ESPN Sat. Feb. 3 at NC State (RBC Center) Raleigh, N.C. 3:30 p.m. ABC Wed. Feb. 7 at Duke (Cameron Indoor Stadium) Durham, N.C. 9 p.m. ESPN/Raycom/LF Sat. Feb. 10 Wake Forest Chapel Hill 1:30 p.m. Raycom/LF Tue. Feb. 13 Virginia Tech Chapel Hill 8 p.m. Raycom/LF Sat. Feb. 17 at Boston College (Conte Forum) Chestnut Hill, Mass. 9 p.m. ESPN Wed. Feb. 21 NC State Chapel Hill 9 p.m. Raycom/LF Sun. Feb. 25 at Maryland (Comcast Center) College Park, Md. 5:30 p.m. Fox Sports Net Thu. March 1 at Georgia Tech (Alexander Memorial Coliseum) Atlanta, Ga. 9 p.m. ESPN/Raycom/LF Sun. March 4 Duke Chapel Hill 4 p.m. CBS

2007 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT, ST. PETE TIMES FORUM, TAMPA, FLA. Thu. March 8 #8 seed vs. #9 seed Noon Raycom/LF #5 seed vs. #12 seed 2:30 p.m. Raycom/LF #7 seed vs. #10 seed 7 p.m. ESPN2 #6 seed vs. #11 seed 9:30 p.m. Raycom/LF Fri. March 9 #1 seed vs. 8/9 winner Noon Raycom/LF/ESPN2 #4 seed vs. 5/12 winner 2:30 p.m. Raycom/LF/ESPN2 #2 seed vs. 7/10 winner 7 p.m. Raycom/LF/ESPN2 #3 seed vs. 6/11 winner 9:30 p.m. Raycom/LF/ESPN2 Sat. March 10 Semifinals 1:30 & 4 p.m. Raycom/LF/ESPN Sun. March 11 Championship 1 p.m. Raycom/LF/ESPN

2007 NCAA TOURNAMENT SITES First & Second Round: March 15 and 17 – Winston-Salem, N.C.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Spokane, Wash.; Sacramento, Calif; March 16 and 18 – Lexington, Ky.; , Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; New Orleans, La. Regionals: March 22 and 24 – San Antonio, Texas, and San Jose, Calif.; March 23 and 25 – East Rutherford, N.J. and St. Louis, Mo. Final Four: March 31 and April 2 – Atlanta, Ga. (All Times are Eastern) The University of North Carolina and Nike extended their agreement for eight more years beginning in July 2002. The agreement provides each varsity team with shoes, apparel, equipment bags and other products. It also provides $100,000 annually to the Chancellor's Academic Enhancement Fund for undergraduate teaching and $100,000 annually to the athletic department to reward Olympic sport programs and coaches for academic and athletic excellence. The Tar Heel men’s basketball team wears Nike’s Jumpman line, named after Michael Jordan.

2006-07 CAROLINA BASKETBALL 2 2006-07 Preview ROSTER 4-Time NCAA Champs NUMERICAL No. Player Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown High School 1 Marcus Ginyard* So. G/F 6-5 218 Alexandria, Va. Bishop O’Connell 2 Wayne Ellington Fr. G 6-4 195 Wynnewood, Pa. The Episcopal Academy 3 Reyshawn Terry*** Sr. F 6-8 232 Winston-Salem, N.C. R.J. Reynolds 4 Bobby Frasor* So. G 6-3 208 Blue Island, Ill. Brother Rice 5 Ty Lawson Fr. G 5-11 193 Clinton, Md. Oak Hill Academy (Va.) 11 Quentin Thomas** Jr. G 6-3 185 Oakland, Calif. Oakland Technical Senior 13 William Graves Fr. F 6-6 260 Greensboro, N.C. Dudley 14 Danny Green* So. F/G 6-5 210 North Babylon, N.Y. St. Mary’s 15 Dewey Burke* Sr. G 6-0 185 Philadelphia, Pa. Conestoga 21 Deon Thompson Fr. F 6-8 245 Torrance, Calif. Torrance 22 Wes Miller** Sr. G 5-11 190 Charlotte, N.C. New Hampton Prep (N.H.) 24 Surry Wood* Jr. F 6-5 205 Raleigh, N.C. Cary Academy 25 Marc Campbell So. G 5-11 165 Raleigh, N.C. Ravenscroft 32 Alex Stepheson Fr. F 6-9 225 Los Angeles, Calif. Harvard-Westlake 34 Brandan Wright Fr. F 6-9 205 Nashville, Tenn. Brentwood Academy 40 Mike Copeland* So. F 6-7 225 Winston-Salem, N.C. R.J. Reynolds 50 Tyler Hansbrough* So. F 6-9 245 Poplar Bluff, Mo. Poplar Bluff

ALPHABETICAL No. Player Yr. Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown High School 15 Dewey Burke* Sr. G 6-0 185 Philadelphia, Pa. Conestoga 25 Marc Campbell So. G 5-11 165 Raleigh, N.C. Ravenscroft 40 Mike Copeland* So. F 6-7 225 Winston-Salem, N.C. R.J. Reynolds 2 Wayne Ellington Fr. G 6-4 195 Wynnewood, Pa. The Episcopal Academy 4 Bobby Frasor* So. G 6-3 208 Blue Island, Ill. Brother Rice 1 Marcus Ginyard* So. G/F 6-5 218 Alexandria, Va. Bishop O’Connell 13 William Graves Fr. F 6-6 260 Greensboro, N.C. Dudley 14 Danny Green* So. F/G 6-5 210 North Babylon, N.Y. St. Mary’s 50 Tyler Hansbrough* So. F 6-9 245 Poplar Bluff, Mo. Poplar Bluff 5 Ty Lawson Fr. G 5-11 193 Clinton, Md. Oak Hill Academy (Va.) 22 Wes Miller** Sr. G 5-11 190 Charlotte, N.C. New Hampton Prep (N.H.) 32 Alex Stepheson Fr. F 6-9 225 Los Angeles, Calif. Harvard-Westlake 3 Reyshawn Terry*** Sr. F 6-8 232 Winston-Salem, N.C. R.J. Reynolds 11 Quentin Thomas** Jr. G 6-3 185 Oakland, Calif. Oakland Technical Senior 21 Deon Thompson Fr. F 6-8 245 Torrance, Calif. Torrance 24 Surry Wood* Jr. F 6-5 205 Raleigh, N.C. Cary Academy 34 Brandan Wright Fr. F 6-9 205 Nashville, Tenn. Brentwood Academy (* denotes letters won) (Campbell will sit out the 2006-07 season as a redshirt after transferring from UNC Greensboro)

Head Coach: Roy Williams (19th year, 4th at Carolina) Assistant Coaches: Joe Holladay, Steve Robinson, C.B. McGrath Director of Basketball Operations: Jerod Haase Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: Jonas Sahratian Head Athletic Trainer & Physical Therapist: Marc Davis Video Coordinator: Eric Hoots Managers: Preston Puckett (head manager), Bobby Cooper, Matthew Fletcher, Brandon Rhodes, Sean Stout, Lauren Ripley Roster by Class

Seniors (3) Bobby Frasor Dewey Burke Marcus Ginyard Wes Miller Danny Green Reyshawn Terry Tyler Hansbrough Pronunciation Guide Bobby Frasor: rhymes with “razor” Juniors (2) Freshmen (6) Marcus Ginyard: GINN-yard Quentin Thomas Wayne Ellington Tyler Hansbrough: hands-BRO Surry Wood William Graves Jerod Haase: rhymes with “class” Ty Lawson Jonas Sahratian: suh-RAY-shun Sophomores (6) Alex Stepheson Alex Stepheson: Steevis-son Mark Campbell Deon Thompson Reyshawn Terry: RAY-shawn Mike Copeland Brandan Wright Quentin Thomas: QUINN-ton

2006-07 CAROLINA BASKETBALL 3 2006-07 Preview 2006-07 PREVIEW 4-Time NCAA Champs Jim Hawkins/IC Depth. Size. Experience. Three things the North lineup. They combined to make 47 starts, including Carolina Tar Heels lacked a year ago are once again reyshawn all 31 games by Frasor. at head coach Roy Williams’ disposal at the start of TERRY Miller, a 5-11 senior, was Carolina’s defensive the 2006-07 season. Of course, ex - player of the year, earning the coaches’ award for perience is relative these days and a UNC team com - best defense in nine games (eight times in ACC prised of 11 scholarship freshmen and sophomores play). The Charlotte, N.C., native led UNC with 64 is still one of the youngest in school history. three-point field goals and shot 44.1 percent from be - Two years ago the Tar Heels won the NCAA hind the arc, the seventh-highest percentage ever by championship with two seniors and three juniors in a Tar Heel. Miller was inserted into the starting the starting lineup. Last year, the youngest team in lineup at Florida State in late January and responded Carolina history proved to be one of the most pleas - with six three-pointers and a career-high 18 points in ant surprise stories in the country as Williams di - a crucial, 81-80 road victory. rected a team with two and sometimes three “Wes Miller probably got more out of individual freshman starters to a 23-8 record, a second-place work habits than any player I’ve ever been around,” finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference and a No. 3 says Williams. “He knows he has a challenge ahead seed in the NCAA Tournament. of him to stay on the floor. It’s hard to keep going to This year, Carolina returns 80 percent of its scor - the well by working harder than everyone else be - ing and 76 percent of its rebounding, a stark contrast cause at some point they are going to work harder, to last season when senior was the lead - too. But Wes was huge for us last year.” ing returning scorer at just 3.9 points per game. Frasor, a 6-3 point guard from Blue Island, Ill., Sophomore All-America Tyler Hansbrough and was fourth in the ACC in assists and earned all-con - senior Reyshawn Terry were the top scorers last ference freshman team honors. He had a season high year. They averaged 18.9 and 14.3 points, respec - 17 points in the home win over NC State and had 12 tively, and combined to grab more than 14 rebounds assists against Saint Louis, the best single-game fig - per contest. They lead a cast of three seniors (includ - ure in the ACC all year. Frasor committed only one ing walk-on Dewey Burke ), two juniors (including turnover every 11 minutes and had more assists than walk-on Surry Wood ), six sophomores and six errors in 24 games. freshmen who look to build on last season’s accom - and the second-highest increase ever by a Tar Heel. “Confidence is such a big part of the game and it plishments, which included wins at No. 1 Duke and He earned third-team All-ACC honors after scoring really manifests itself in the point guard position,” No. 10 Kentucky, a 7-1 ACC record on the road and in double figures 24 times, including a career-high says Williams. “I expect Bobby to be more comfort - a No. 10 final ranking in the Associated Press poll. 25 at Kentucky. Terry averaged 16.0 points in ACC able this season because he has the confidence Hansbrough, a 6-9 power forward from Poplar road action. gained from his experiences last year.” Bluff, Mo., had one of the most decorated freshman “Reyshawn improved drastically,” says Williams. Junior point guard Quentin Thomas has 125 as - seasons in ACC history and became the first Tar Heel “And he worked harder this off-season than he ever sists in 65 college games. The Oakland, Calif., native freshman to earn All-America honors. He was the has. He just needs to relax and allow himself to think played his best basketball as a Tar Heel in a stretch consensus National Freshman of the Year and was through what he does on the floor. If he does that he of key ACC games in February. He had 78 assists the first freshman to earn unanimous first-team All- will be a well-rounded player. He’s such a nice and 37 turnovers for the season and had more assists ACC and conference rookie of the year honors. A 10- young man that he worries about making mistakes.” than turnovers in 14 of the final 16 games. He time ACC Rookie of the Week, Hansbrough became Wes Miller and Bobby Frasor , Carolina’s start - matched his career high with seven points and had the first UNC frosh to lead the team in both scoring ing backcourt the final two months, return to the three second-half assists in the win at Duke. and rebounding – and also led the team in field Bob Donnan “Quentin improved a great deal late in the goal percentage and steals. season because he was enjoying the game more “I don’t think there will be any more pressure and not trying to meet expectations,” says on Tyler,” says Williams, who sports a 493-124 Williams. “As he felt less pressure he began to record in 18 years as a collegiate head coach. play well.” “Last year people looked at him in the preseason Sophomore guard Marcus Ginyard started to be our savior. I would expect him to do almost the first 14 games, then settled into an integral the same as he did except he may play three or role off the bench over the second half of the four minutes less because of our depth. We hope season. He was hampered by a preseason we can keep him fresher in crucial parts of the thumb injury and a mid-season illness. Still, the game.” Alexandria, Va., native averaged 9.8 points in a The ACC’s second-leading scorer netted 20 or five-game stretch in February that included more points 14 times, including an ACC fresh - wins over Wake Forest, NC State, Maryland, man and Smith Center record 40 points against Virginia and Duke. He scored a season-high 14 Georgia Tech. points twice and was in double figures four “Tyler had an unbelievable freshman year,” other times. He played outstanding defense in says Williams, who earned National and ACC tyler the win at Duke, as he helped limit JJ Redick to Coach-of-the-Year honors in 2006. “He does HANSBROUGH one field goal in his last 16 attempts. more to prepare his body than any player I have “Marcus was set back by the injury at the ever been around. He has total dedication and is beginning of the year and I’m sure it was dis - a fierce competitor. He will push himself to have appointing for him to lose his starting position, an even better year. One area he needs to improve but he kept playing hard,” says Williams. “I is playing without turning the ball over, but I am think he will be much more confident this year. confident he will do that.” He’s really worked hard on his shot. He had a Terry, a 6-8 swingman from Winston-Salem, sensational defensive game at Duke. He will be N.C., increased his scoring by 12.0 points from one of the better defenders to play at Carolina his sophomore to junior season. That was the best when his career is over.” improvement by any player in the ACC last year Sophomore forward Danny Green showed

2006-07 CAROLINA BASKETBALL 4 2006-07 Preview 2006-07 PREVIEW 4-Time NCAA Champs Bob Donnan flashes of brilliance and versatility throughout his mit. rookie season. The 6-5 small forward from North “Wayne is a tremendous scorer,” bobby Babylon, N.Y., led the Tar Heels with 32 blocked says Williams. “He has the ability to FRASOR shots and was fourth in scoring at 7.5 points per score a lot without anyone thinking game. He became the first perimeter player to ever he’s a ball hog. I know he’s going to lead Carolina in blocked shots. He scored 17 points work hard to become a complete in his collegiate debut versus Gardner-Webb, one of player.” nine games in which he scored in double figures. He William Graves , a 6-6 forward, hit a trio of three-pointers in the win at Florida State, led Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley to con - made the game-saving defensive play in the win at secutive state championships and was Duke and had 15 points against Murray State in the the 2006 Associated Press Player of first round of the NCAA Tournament. the Year in North Carolina. “Danny showed his athleticism by being our lead - “William is really gifted,” says ing shot blocker as the substitute three man,” says Williams. “He can shoot, handle, Williams. “He has a habit of getting his hand on the pass, defend and . He has to ball. I like his shot and I expect he will have more work to maintain his weight and urgency this year in going after the ball and defend - therefore his stamina, but if he does ing. He will become a really solid player when he those things he can be an outstanding pays more attention to detail.” player.” Sophomore forward Mike Copeland played in 16 Ty Lawson , a 5-11 point guard contests last year after joining the Tar Heels just prior from Clinton, Md., led Oak Hill to the start of the school year. The 6-7 Winston- Academy to a 42-1 record last year Salem, N.C., native showed improved play as the and earned first-team All-America year went on. honors from USA Today after averag - “Michael got better and better,” says Williams. ing 23.8 points and 9.1 assists per “He had a huge deficit early because he came in later game. than the others and hurt his knee at the start of prac - “Ty has tremendous acceleration tice. He got much tougher as the year went on. and explosiveness,” says Williams. “He has the abil - hopeful that they will. I am hopeful that we will play Michael can score, but he must continue to improve ity to push the ball at the pace I want.” an even faster pace than we’ve played the last two defensively .” Alex Stepheson , a 6-9 forward from Los Angeles, years. With depth you need to play faster. If you play The 10 returning Carolina players are joined by Calif., had 16 games last year with 20 or more re - a 60-possession game and a guy plays half the game, six scholarship freshmen that are among the most bounds and was co-MVP of the Roundball Classic. he plays 30 possessions. But if you play 100 posses - heralded newcomers in the country. “He’s an outstanding defender, shot blocker and sions and a guy plays half the game then he plays 50 Wayne Ellington , a 6-4 from rebounder,” says Williams. “Alex continues to work possessions.” Wynnewood, Pa., was co-MVP in Philadelphia last on being comfortable on the offensive end of the Williams says the added depth will lead to even year, won the three-point shooting contest at the Mc - floor.” more aggressive defense. Donald’s All-Star Game and matched Hansbrough’s Deon Thompson , a 6-8 forward from Torrance, “It allows us to pick up more in the backcourt, es - event record with 31 points in the Nike Hoop Sum - Calif., averaged 21.5 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.6 pecially with Bobby and Ty, and we can probably blocked shots last year. trap some more. We can gamble a little more on de - “Deon made tremendous strides during his last fense because Tyler can be more of a shot blocker two years in high school, as much as any player I’ve with more depth. Brandan and Alex have also shown wes ever seen,” says Williams. “He was a 6-5, 305-pound they can shots.” MILLER defensive tackle as a freshman. But he made a com - Williams isn’t worried that the success from a mitment to improve his game and came into college year ago will negatively impact his returning play - just under 250 pounds. Now that he has his body ers. where it needs to be, he can work on his game and he “I am not concerned for one second about them is making big strides there.” being complacent,” he says. “They worked so hard in Brandan Wright , a 6-9 forward from Nashville, the off-season. They made some really significant Tenn., scored more than 2,600 career points and gains there. The sophomores will be more comfort - blocked nearly 600 shots. He was MVP of the state able, especially Bobby, Danny and Marcus. All three tournament four times and was ’s Mr. Bas - should show significant improvement. Their comfort ketball in each of the last three seasons. level will be better and they will be more confident. “Brandan has a tremendous natural sense of “It’s good for everyone to have competition. The blocking shots and rebounding the ball,” says kids will determine who plays, not me. It’s easy. This Williams. “He’s got to get bigger and stronger and is what I’ll tell them from day one – ‘Do what I tell improve shooting the ball.” you to do to win. Run, rebound, defend and share the For the first time as head coach of the Tar Heels, ball. Don’t get caught up in the X’s and O’s. There is Williams has the depth to comfortably play his style no middle ground. Do those things or you will not of fast-paced basketball on both ends of the court. play.’ The Tar Heels are three-deep at the point (Frasor, “The character of our kids is so high they are Thomas and Lawson), two-guard (Miller, Ginyard going to take care of playing time issues. They are and Ellington) and small forward (Terry, Green and going to accept whatever they need to accept for the Graves) positions and have five frontcourt players team to do well. I haven’t spent one second worrying C

I about that.” / (Hansbrough, Copeland, Stepheson, Thompson and s n i k Wright). The Tar Heels open the 2006-07 regular season in w a

H Charlotte on Nov. 14 against Sacred Heart in the

“I like having more depth,” says Williams. “Of m i J course that means we are counting on freshmen to opening round of the NIT Tip-Off. come through and sometimes they don’t. But I am 2006-07 CAROLINA BASKETBALL 5