Note: This is the first part of a two-part series. The second part, entitled "UNC Basketball - What's To Come?" will be published in the next few days.



With college basketball season in full swing, you can automatically assume that I watched UNC's last game against Wake Forest.

And you know what they say about what happens when you assume? Yeah, you made an ass out of yourself.

I did NOT watch the UNC versus Wake Forest game. I do not care that I missed every second, and did not once turn the television channel to watch what was happening. I knew UNC would lose that game, and they proved me right, getting drubbed by a longer, more physical, and - gasp - more talented Demon Deacon team.

That's right. I said it. Wake Forest was more talented than UNC.

But...but...but this was supposed to be a 2005-2006 type of season, right? Where the team rallies around a senior leader who carries them to the NCAA Tournament? Where a freshman emerges as a future star and helps assuage some of the losses from last year's national championship team? Right? I know I'm right. Tell me I'm right.

You're right. You're absolutely right.

Which means that this team has disappointed you since the beginning of the season. There is no leader on this basketball team. There is no impact freshman on this roster. No amount of coaching can make up for the fact that this team - to put it in terms even Heather Dinich can understand - is just not that good.

But what about the preseason top 5 ranking? Yeah, UNC was vastly overrated.

But what about super-freshman John Henson? Yeah, he doesn't have a position and couldn't put on weight if he ate 10 meals a day.

But what about senior leader Marcus Ginyard? Yeah, he's had almost as many turnovers as points the last three games.

So all of this begs the question...what happened to UNC basketball? Why are the Tar Heels so bad this year after being so good last year? Did Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green REALLY have that big of an impact on this program?

The biggest problem this year is the amount of production that is trying to be replaced. I'm not talking about rebounds, assists, or even points here; I'm talking about quality minutes. Last year, of the 200 minutes available in a college basketball game (40 minutes for each of the 5 starters...40 x 5 = 200), those four Tar Heels averaged a combined 118 minutes. That's 2 seniors and 2 juniors, who have been through the wars of ACC basketball and had valuable NCAA tournament experience, averaging 29 minutes apiece...per game.

Now think about who replaces those minutes. Marcus Ginyard, a solid contributor but shouldn't be counted on for huge offensive outputs or really anything more than solid defensive play. Deon Thompson, who started every game last season, but cannot step up and provide offensive production in the low post. Will Graves, a role player who was suspended almost the entire year last year. Ed Davis, a defensive presence in the paint with limited offensive prowess. Larry Drew, a role player who is a step too slow to run the fast-paced UNC offense.

All of those guys are playing huge minutes this season, but cannot come close to the kind of production necessary to stay consistent with the level of play that the UNC program has become accustomed to seeing. And who is replacing their production on the bench? Five freshmen, three of whom are playing out of position (or at least in a position where they are not comfortable), and none of whom have ever experienced the type of basketball being played on the college level.

Briefly summed up, this is not UNC's year, and anyone who was expecting contention for an ACC title or a guaranteed NCAA berth can kiss those expectations good-bye. This is going to be a bumpy ride from here on out this season. It won't be fun. It won't be easy to watch. And no, I probably won't watch the rest of the games (aside from UNC-Dook, what else would compel me to watch?). For all intents and purposes, I think I can safely say that I am already looking forward to next season for UNC basketball...and that doesn't happen very often.