North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball Starting Lineup: Updated UNC Starting 5
Contents
The starting lineup for the #17 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels is as follows:
North Carolina Starting Lineup
- PG– R.J. Davis
- SG- Paxson Wojcik
- SF- Cormac Ryan
- PF- Harrison Ingram
- C- Armando Bacot
While Armando Bacot and R.J. Davis are the only returning starters for the North Carolina Tar Heels, they still have an abundance of talent with other returners, transfers, and recruits. The transfer portal is where the Tar Heels will fill their immediate starting lineup needs, as Harrison Ingram, a forward transfer from Stanford, Paxson Wojcik, a guard transfer from Brown, and Cormac Ryan, a guard/forward transfer from Notre Dame, will slide into the starting lineup.
North Carolina Position Groups
North Carolina will utilize a smaller lineup than usual this season, with 6-foot-5 guard Cormac Ryan playing in the small forward position and 6-foot-7 small forward Harrison Ingram playing in the power forward position. The Tar Heels make up for their smaller starting lineup with senior Armando Bacot, who stands at 6-foot-11 and weighs 240 pounds. Bacot is a two-time First-Team All-ACC selection and a one-time Third-Team All-American who is amongst the best centers in college basketball.
North Carolina Point Guards
With the departure of Caleb Love, a talented, volume scorer whose inefficiency was sometimes troublesome, the Tar Heels will turn to R.J. Davis to command the backcourt. Davis is one of only two returners from North Carolina’s starting lineup last season and will be relied upon heavily for scoring and facilitating. Davis is fresh off a season that saw him average 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists on an impressive 44% from the field and 36% from deep; he is a lethal sniper who can create for others due to his quickness and the threat of his shooting. Elliot Cadeau will also see some minutes at point guard. The reclassified five-star recruit will be a huge piece off the bench for the Tar Heels this season and will almost certainly start for them next year.
North Carolina Shooting Guards
Paxson Wojcik, the sharpshooting transfer from Brown, will occupy the off-guard spot in the backcourt next to R.J. Davis. Wojcik put together an exceptional season last year, averaging 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game while knocking down over 46% of his shots. Wojcik is a smooth-shooting lefty who will pair well next to Davis in the backcourt, as Davis can create off the dribble and kick out to him. Also, expect Seth Trimble to get some floor time when Wojcik needs a breather or if he gets injured or into foul trouble.
North Carolina Small Forwards
Cormac Ryan, a Notre Dame guard transfer, will shift down to the small forward spot and start for the Tar Heels this season. Ryan posted 12.3 points and four rebounds per game on a 41/34/83 shooting split last season, providing the Fighting Irish with scoring in various ways. While the Tar Heels aren’t quite as deep at small forward, they can move Ingram to the small forward spot and play Jae’Lyn Withers or Jalen Washington at power forward during non-Ryan minutes.
North Carolina Power Forwards
Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram will be the starting power forward for the Tar Heels this season, beating out fellow transfer (Louisville) Jae’Lyn Withers for the slot. Ingram has underwhelmed at the collegiate level relative to his expectations and projections; however, he still has all of the makings of a talented college player. Ingram is explosive, can shoot, and possesses versatility on both sides of the ball. Withers is a talented forward in his own right and will see plenty of minutes each game, potentially playing some at the four, while Ingram gets moved to the three, especially when Cormac Ryan has to catch his breath on the sideline.
North Carolina Centers
Armando Bacot is the starting center for North Carolina. Bacot is a double-double machine who could be in the running for the Wooden Award if he has the kind of season that he has proven to be capable of. Last season, Bacot averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds, but those numbers should rise, as he will be even more relied upon as an offensive weapon this year. Few collegiate players have the post-skill and interior presence that Bacot possesses. Jalen Washington will provide a few minutes of relief for Bacot off the bench throughout the season or if Bacot gets into foul trouble.
North Carolina Full Roster
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| F | Zayden High |
| G | Elliot Cadeau |
| G | Cormac Ryan |
| G | R.J. Davis |
| C | Armando Bacot |
| G | Seth Trimble |
| G | Paxson Wojcik |
| F | Jalen Washington |
| G | Creighton Lebo |
| G | Rob Landry |
| F | Jae'Lyn Withers |
| F | James Okonkwo |
| F | Duwe Farris |
| F | Harrison Ingram |
North Carolina Starting Five FAQ
- Who Is North Carolina’s Head Coach?
- Who Is North Carolina’s Starting Point Guard?
- Who Is North Carolina’s Best Player?
Who Is North Carolina’s Head Coach?
North Carolina’s head coach is Hubert Davis. Davis enters his third year as head coach for the Tar Heels; he led the 2021-22 team to the National Title game but fell short of an NCAA Championship. However, last season, UNC became the first team to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason and not make the NCAA Tournament.
Who Is North Carolina’s Starting Point Guard?
R.J. Davis will once again be North Carolina’s starting point guard for the 2023-24 season. Davis had a tremendous season last year, posting 16 points and dishing out three assists per game on an efficient 44/36/88 shooting split.
Who Is North Carolina’s Best Player?
North Carolina’s best player will be Armando Bacot, who is more than likely going to make another All-American team this season. Bacot averaged a double-double last year and, as a super senior, should be well-positioned to accomplish the same feat.
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