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North Carolina basketball: Starting lineup options for next season

By Mike Phillips

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - MARCH 05: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Garrison Brooks (15) goes up for the slam dunk. During the North Carolina Tar Heels game against the Boston College Eagles on March 05, 2019 at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, MA.(Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - MARCH 05: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Garrison Brooks (15) goes up for the slam dunk. During the North Carolina Tar Heels game against the Boston College Eagles on March 05, 2019 at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, MA.(Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY – APRIL 06: IMG Academy Ascenders forward Armando Bacot Jr. (5) dunks during the second half of the Geico National High School basketball tournament championship game between the LaLumiere Lakers and IMG Ascenders on April 6, 2019 at Christ the King High School in Queens, NY (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY – APRIL 06: IMG Academy Ascenders forward Armando Bacot Jr. (5) dunks during the second half of the Geico National High School basketball tournament championship game between the LaLumiere Lakers and IMG Ascenders on April 6, 2019 at Christ the King High School in Queens, NY (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Next best scenario

  • Point Guard: Cole Anthony
  • Shooting Guard: Brandon Robinson
  • Small Forward: Garrison Brooks
  • Power Forward: Sterling Manley
  • Center: Armando Bacot

The main difference between this plan and the one from the previous slide is that Matthew Hurt opts not to come to Chapel Hill. Hurt is more likely to end up at Duke anyway, so this shouldn’t impact North Carolina too much.

The Tar Heels still land Anthony, which helps them replace Coby White with an impact player at the point. The other starters remain the same, but the four now goes to rising junior Sterling Manley, who was a bit player on this year’s team.

Manley has excellent size, and the Tar Heels could lean on him as more of a defensive presence with guys like Anthony and Brooks around to help carry the scoring load. Learning under Luke Maye should also help Manley with his transition to the starting lineup, and his development could be a significant factor in the Tar Heels’ ceiling.

This path also requires a more significant offensive impact from Bacot, who would be the Tar Heels’ top threat down low. How Bacot pairs with Anthony, who could be one of the best players in the country next season, would be fascinating to watch.