Young forwards show progress in UNC win

Tyler Zeller’s shadow is an easy place to get lost.

He is often, as he was Saturday night against Appalachian State, the tallest player on the court at seven feet tall. In the 97-82 win against the Mountaineers, he posted a game-high 31 points.

But he wasn’t the only North Carolina player to find an advantage in the paint.

The other four Tar Heel forwards combined for 34 points, including signs of progression from the big guys deeper down the bench.

Freshmen James Michael McAdoo and Desmond Hubert combined to play 22 minutes, in which they scored eight points and pulled in four boards. Most of their minutes came against the 6-foot-10, 290-pound Appalachian State center Isaac Butts.

“I don’t think those guys are afraid of physical contact,” coach Roy Williams said. “They realize it’s a physical game.”

Though their point production made up only a small percentage of the team’s performance, Williams is aware of each of the minor contributions that his young big men are making.

“One time in the first half James Michael just went after a rebound, got his hand on it, deflects it. It ends up going out of bounds off them and got us an extra possession,” Williams said.“Desmond got us two extra possessions in the first half.”

Hubert, who is listed at 205 pounds, said he held his ground in there with the bigger Butts by being a step quicker.

“I’m still trying to get it together offensively, but defensively I’m starting to get the hang of things,” Hubert said.

Hubert only had two points, but they came on the final bucket of the game, and it was through contact from a Mountaineer defender. He swatted away two shots in the game, the second of which looked a lot like another long-armed Tar Heel.

“They’re improving everyday … Especially Desmond. He’s coming along very well,” John Henson said. “If he keeps progressing at this rate he’ll be way better than me at this time.

“He’s got a little more bounce than me. I told him I wish I had his kind of bounce, but I would have dunked that one.”

Even with the work horse Zeller in front of them along with Barnes and Henson, Williams will be sure to find playing time for his freshman forwards.

“Desmond and James Michael are going to be good players,” Williams said. “So, hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to give them some more time.”