GETTING INSIDE

The last time North Carolina faced such a rebuilding job, the Tar Heels made it back into the NCAA field in their first year, played in a regional championship game in their second, made it to the Final Four in their third year, and won the national title in their fourth.

The Tar Heels, who must replace four starters from the 2009 NCAA championship team, are hoping to step up the pace of that rebuilding project this time around.

In fact, it wouldn’t be all that far-fetched to see the Heels in the Final Four again next April in Indianapolis.

Look at it this way:

Forward Ed Davis has more experience than Tyler Hansbrough did when he had to step in as a freshman. Davis played in all 38 games as a freshman last season and was the Heels’ second-leading rebounder. He also is a defensive upgrade over Hansbrough.

Forward Deonte Thompson is a two-year starter who showed early what he could do when Hansbrough missed some early games because of injury. Thompson and fellow senior Marcus Ginyard will be counted on to provide leadership.

Sophomore Tyler Zeller, who missed 24 games because of a broken wrist, and newcomers John Henson and twins Travis and David Wear complete a two-deep frontcourt that any team in America, maybe even the neighboring Charlotte Bobcats, would be happy to have.

But before conceding another ACC title and Final Four berth to the Tar Heels, you have to take a look at the backcourt. Ginyard gives the Heels a defensive presence on the perimeter they lacked last season, but there is a big question at point guard.

Ty Lawson and his backup, Bobby Frasor, depart. That pretty much turns over the job to Larry Drew II.

It isn’t that Drew doesn’t have the talent or potential to run the show for the Tar Heels. It’s just that despite playing in all 38 games as a freshman, he still is an unknown quantity.

Averaging slightly under 10 minutes an appearance, he had 74 assists, but they were offset somewhat by his 45 turnovers. And his backup probably will be freshman Dexter Strickland, who might fit in better on the wing with Ginyard.

“Dexter has played some point guard and we are going to ask him to play more point guard,” coach Roy Williams said.

Whoever takes over the job, there will be some changes, but one thing will remain the same.

“When I say change the way we play, I don’t mean pace of play,” Williams said. “There are a lot of different things we can do in a basketball game, but slowing the pace is not going to be one of them.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• North Carolina, which missed the postseason in 2002 and played in the 2003 NIT, has a streak of six consecutive NCAA appearances with two championships (2005, 2009) and one other Final Four berth (2008) during that span.

• F Deon Thompson is the leading returning scorer for the Tar Heels with his 10.6 average. He shot 49.2 percent from the field.

• G Larry Drew had 74 assists, best among the non-starters last season, but he also had 45 turnovers. He played in all 38 games but averaged under 10 minutes per outing.

Last Year:   34-4 overall, 13-3 in the ACC; won the NCAA Championship.

Head Coach:   Roy Williams (career 594-138); seventh year at North Carolina (176-37).

Quote To Note:   “This year we will probably change the way we play a little bit. We’ll make sure the personnel will still fit what we do. You will see more team play. There will be fewer situations where we move the ball two or three times and then our guy goes ahead and beats his man. That’s what we’ve done the last couple of years.”—Coach Roy Williams, on the expected differences between this season and last.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   North Carolina is restocking its roster with a top 5 recruiting class that features three 6-10 forwards—John Henson and twins David and Travis Wear. Henson is considered one of the top power forward prospects in the country and gives the Tar Heels the option of going with three big men up front. The Wears probably would be considered the top recruits of a majority of recruiting classes around the country. The other two newcomers, freshmen Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland, may fill in an area of more need, however, with the losses Carolina faces in the backcourt and perimeter.

Key Early-season Games:   The Tar Heels have two Big Ten opponents in the early going with a meeting against Ohio State in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York on Nov. 19 and a home game against Michigan State on Dec. 1 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. That will be a rematch of last season’s NCAA championship game. The Heels will get either California or Syracuse on Nov. 20 in the second game of the Coaches vs. Cancer event. They also have a trip to Kentucky on Dec. 5 and a home game against Texas on Dec. 19. They are all match-ups that should earn national attention.

Program Direction:   Usually, when you reach the top, the only way to go is down, and few expect the Tar Heels to make it back-to-back national championships with the rebuilding they face. But there isn’t going to be that much of a drop with what the Heels have returning, and they likely are no more than a year away from another Final Four berth.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Larry Drew II, G-F Marcus Ginyard, F John Henson, F Deon Thompson, F Ed Davis.

Roster Report:  

• F Tyler Zeller, whose freshman season was limited to 15 games after he broke his wrist against Kentucky on Nov. 18, has put on about 20 pounds since arriving on campus and is listed at 240 pounds on his 7-foot frame.

• F Deon Thompson might be more of a factor outside with the emergence of post players Ed Davis and freshmen John Henson and twins David and Travis Wear.

• G-F Marcus Ginyard, whose junior season was virtually wiped out by a lingering foot injury, seems to be 100 percent again.