CHARLOTTE —Wednesday marked the annual Atlantic Coast Conference Operation Basketball media day for the 2018-19 men’s basketball season. The four head coaches of the conference’s North Carolina teams made themselves available for questions inside the Spectrum Center with video cameras, recorders and cell phones.
They shared thoughts on a variety of topics that will affect their respective seasons. The teams also allowed a couple of players to join the coaches to provide their unique perspectives in regards to strategies, goals and everything in between.
Duke
The million dollar word for coach Mike Krzyzewski’s 2018-19 team is “healthy.”
This year’s Blue Devils will feature a young, talented roster loaded with freshman, something Coach K has become accustomed to over the past decade. Four freshmen are expected to start: Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, Tre Jones and R.J. Barrett.
Williamson leads a list of three freshmen that are expected to be lottery picks in the upcoming NBA draft next June. His YouTube highlights are nothing short of iconic at this point, so it’ll be a must-see event every time he takes the floor for the Blue Devils.
The youth doesn’t figure to be the top challenge, however, according to college basketball’s all-time winningest coach.
“It’s a challenge if you’re not healthy. We have good players and we’re excited about them. My guys are fun to be around…so let’s stay healthy and get after it,” he said.
Junior forward Javin DeLaurier missed four games with a leg injury last season and dealt with a stress reaction in his foot that sidelined him through much of the fall practices and scrimmages. DeLaurier walked around media day without a noticeable limp and said the foot is “good” and “getting better.”
The 6-foot-10 forward hopes to recover soon enough to join the expected foursome of phenoms. If the group stays in tact they provide one of the most athletic, multi-dimensional units in the country. Factor in key players off the bench like junior center Marques Bolden and freshman guard Joey Baker, and Krzyzewski has another formidable faction posed to take hold of the conference.
North Carolina
Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams is back for his 16th season as the head man for the Tar Heels. He leads a group headed by all-ACC performer Luke Maye, who helped them to a 26-11 record, good enough for third in the conference.
“But I don’t think you should forget things that you have an opportunity to learn from,” Williams said about his group’s early exit to Texas A&M in last year’s NCAA Tournament. “But we’ve been beaten a lot in the NCAA over the years. We’ve won some as well. But I think every year, you should remember those things and try to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes.”
Fellow seniors Kenny Williams and Cameron Johnson return from last year’s team to help Maye provide guidance for a crew that contains a crop of eager freshman. Williams scored a career-high 11.4 points per game last year and improved that total to 12.5 in the ACC Tournament. He also made 72 3-pointers on 40 percent shooting.
UNC championship teams in recent memory have featured a prominent point guard who can run Williams’ fast-paced offense. This year, the coach is still waiting on someone to take hold of the starting role. The players feel confident in the options on the current roster.
“It’s still up in the air who’s going to start, no matter what, we know we’re going to have a reliable point guard in the game,” said Kenny Williams.
The two leading candidates are veteran guard Seventh Woods and blazing-fast freshman Coby White. Both have received high regard in the past with White having the most potential because of his ability to score. He’s the all-time leading scorer in North Carolina high school history.
Williams says the two players have been “interchanging” the starting point guard role and that the team is “comfortable” with either option. Meanwhile, coach Williams mentioned White is the fastest guard he’s had since Ty Lawson, and that he has to learn how to control that speed to be effective.
The Tar Heels will know more about the shape of the roster in a few days as they head to Wofford on Nov. 6.
North Carolina State
Kevin Keatts enters his second year as head coach of the Wolfpack. In the first year with the team after three seasons at UNC Wilmington, Keatts guided an underdog group to 21 wins and an NCAA Tournament berth. He’s used to winning, having posted a 72-28 at UNCW. This season, the expectations are no different even though he says this year’s squad is not a carbon copy of the year prior.
“I look at these as two different years as we have to get better as a team,” Keatts said.
One key change to the group is the addition of guard C.J. Bryce, a transfer from UNCW. Bryce was recruited by Keatts and has always wanted to play in a major conference. The 6-foot-5 junior averaged just over 17 points per contest last season and
“I’m definitely looking forward to not just only being looked at as a scorer, but being able to play defense and make my teammates better with my passes and just being a leader on the court,” Bryce said.
The other teammates in the lineup with Bryce will be Markell Johnson, Torin Dorin and Braxton Beverly. Johnson led the ACC with 7.3 assists, while Dorin was second on the team in scoring with 13.9 points per game. Beverly provides another ball handler and playmaker, finishing second on the team in assists a season ago, but will sit out until “mid-way through non-conference” games, according to Keatts.
Wake Forest
Danny Manning’s Demon Deacons are trying to get better, and in a hurry. The team won just four games in the conference, which was good enough for second to last a year ago. This year, the fifth-year coach wants to see a different narrative.
“I think we have a chance to be really good, but we have to get out on the court and execute,” said Manning.
The team features 6-foot-5 guard Chaundee Brown who had a record-breaking performance against Boston College going 6-of-7 from 3-point range. Manning says the team will use its length and versatility to impose their will. His group boasts five players at least 6-foot-8 or taller.
Brandon Childress figures to be the starting point guard and was second on the team with 109 assists.
Wake Forest gets going on Nov. 10 against North Carolina A&T and opens their conference schedule on Jan.5 against Georgia Tech.
