It’s that time of year when sports enthusiasts are glued to their televisions. We are currently in the middle of professional and collegiate football season, as well as the MLB Postseason. The NHL has already started, and the NBA regular season will begin next week. Adding to this mix next month is college basketball, a sport that has the power to decrease work productivity for a few weeks every March.
One college basketball team that many people will be closely following is UNC. Last year, they became the first preseason number one team to miss the NCAA Tournament. Despite returning four-fifths of its starting lineup, the team’s veteran presence and talent did not live up to expectations for the 2021-2022 season.
A major reason for the Tar Heels’ struggle was head coach Hubert Davis’ failure to effectively utilize the bench. Despite having talented players like Jalen Washington, Puff Johnson, Dontrez Styles, and D’Marco Dunn on the bench, these players rarely saw significant playing time.
As a result, several players transferred out of UNC, including last year’s starting point guard Caleb Love. However, the team quickly made up for these losses by adding two projected starters and three valuable bench players.
One notable transfer they gained is former Notre Dame guard Cormac Ryan. Standing at 6’5″, Ryan is expected to split his time between the shooting guard and small forward positions. His scoring ability, defensive skills, passing abilities, and three-point shooting make him a valuable asset to the team.
Ryan’s scoring ability should earn him a spot in the starting lineup, although R.J. Davis currently holds the shooting guard position. Ryan’s most likely path to playing time is at the small forward position, which was vacated by Leaky Black.
Looking ahead to the 2023-2024 season, Ryan may either start at small forward or be heavily utilized in a guard platoon system with Davis and Elliot Cadeau. It would be difficult to keep a 12-point scorer on the bench, especially one who is effective from beyond the arc.
If UNC chooses to start Stanford transfer Harrison Ingram at the small forward position, Jae’Lyn Withers would likely be the power forward, with Armando Bacot at center, Cadeau at point guard, and Davis at shooting guard. However, it is more likely that Ryan will secure a spot in the starting lineup alongside Cadeau, Davis, Ingram, and Bacot.
My bold prediction for Ryan is that he will average 15 points per game and lead UNC in three-point shooting. Last season, Davis was the team’s leader in three-point shooting, but his percentage was not as high as desired. If Ryan can replicate his three-point shooting performance from Notre Dame, it will be challenging for opponents to slow down UNC’s scoring.
One standout game for Ryan last season was when he scored 20 points against a ranked Pittsburgh team. He also contributed with four assists, four rebounds, and a perfect free-throw shooting record.
In conclusion, Cormac Ryan brings valuable skills and scoring ability to the UNC basketball team. With his three-point shooting and overall offensive prowess, he has the potential to make a significant impact for the Tar Heels this season.
Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72931262/usa_today_21973134.0.jpg "Stay Updated on Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Portal Movements for 2023-2024 Season")
