2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team

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2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball
North Carolina Tar Heels logo.svg
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
2021–22 record9–3 (1–0 ACC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaDean E. Smith Center
Seasons
← 2020–21
 →
2021–22 ACC men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 2 Duke 1 – 0   1.000 11 – 1   .917
Wake Forest 1 – 0   1.000 11 – 1   .917
Miami (FL) 1 – 0   1.000 9 – 3   .750
North Carolina 1 – 0   1.000 9 – 3   .750
Louisville 1 – 0   1.000 7 – 4   .636
Boston College 1 – 0   1.000 6 – 5   .545
Syracuse 1 – 0   1.000 6 – 5   .545
Clemson 1 – 1   .500 9 – 4   .692
Virginia 1 – 1   .500 7 – 5   .583
Florida State 0 – 1   .000 6 – 4   .600
NC State 0 – 1   .000 7 – 5   .583
Georgia Tech 0 – 1   .000 6 – 5   .545
Notre Dame 0 – 1   .000 6 – 5   .545
Pittsburgh 0 – 1   .000 5 – 7   .417
Virginia Tech 0 – 2   .000 8 – 5   .615
† winner
As of December 27, 2021; Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team is coached by Hubert Davis, who is in his first season as UNC's head coach after the retirement of longtime coach Roy Williams. The Tar Heels play their home games at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Previous season[]

The Tar Heels finished the 2020–21 season 18–11, 10–6 in ACC play to finish in a tie for fifth place. On February 27, 2021, head coach Roy Williams won his 900th career game in a win over Florida State, becoming the 5th and fastest Division 1 men's head coach to reach the milestone. On March 6, 2021, UNC completed a season sweep over rival Duke in a 91–73 win. Following the win, Roy Williams kissed the Smith Center court, causing speculation of possible retirement. Williams later said it was because of the team's 10–1 home record.[1] As the No. 6 seed in the ACC Tournament, they defeated Notre Dame and Virginia Tech, before losing to Florida State in the semifinals. The Virginia Tech win would end up as Williams' 903rd and last win as a coach. North Carolina received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed and would lose in the first round to 9th-seeded Wisconsin in what would be Roy Williams' last game. Following the season, Roy Williams announced he would retire after 18 years as head coach of North Carolina.

Offseason[]

On April 1, 2021, Roy Williams announced his retirement. Williams stated that he didn't feel like he was the "right man for the job anymore".[2] ESPN's Seth Greenberg suspected the changing culture of college basketball and "constantly re-recruiting your players, as opposed to mentoring them" played a part in Williams' decision.[3] Following the announcement, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz started the process of searching for the next head coach.[4] CBS Sports' Matt Norlander said "The best job in college basketball just opened".[5] On April 5, 2021, UNC hired former player and assistant coach Hubert Davis as the next head coach.[6] The next day, Davis was formally introduced at an introductory press conference.

Roster changes[]

Following UNC's loss to Wisconsin in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, Sports Illustrated's Quierra Luck reported, "Carolina will have some transfers; a considerably high number for UNC" and Inside Carolina's Sherrell McMillan reported the offseason would be "ominous".[7][8]

Three days later, freshman center Walker Kessler announced he was entering the NCAA's transfer portal.[9] Inside Carolina reported that Kessler's decision was a "basketball decision only".[10] On April 12, 2021, Kessler announced that he would transfer to Auburn for the 2021-22 season.

On March 24, 2021, freshman forward/center Day'Ron Sharpe declared for the 2021 NBA draft.[11] On April 6, 2021 sophomore Armando Bacot also declared for the NBA draft, citing his intentions to "test the waters".[12] On June 21, 2021 Bacot formally withdrew from the NBA draft process, signaling his return to UNC for his junior season in a tweet.[13]

Redshirt junior Sterling Manley, walk-on senior Walker Miller, and senior forward Garrison Brooks all announced intentions to graduate and transfer.[14][15][16] Brooks transferred to Mississippi State on April 15.[17] On June 19, Miller announced he would be pursuing a graduate transfer at Monmouth University, and would be coached there by another former Tar Heel player in King Rice.[18] Manley eventually pulled his name from the transfer portal and decided to turn professional. After graduation, guard Andrew Platek eventually put his name into the transfer portal, and enrolled at Siena College in his home state of New York.[19]

Coach Davis was active in the transfer portal to mitigate these losses. On April 10, 2021, Virginia transfer Justin McKoy chose the Tar Heels. He was followed on April 16 by Oklahoma forward Brady Manek.[20][21] On July 8, 2021, the Tar Heels picked up another transfer when former Marquette forward Dawson Garcia, a Big East All-Freshman team selection for the 2020–2021 season, committed to the Tar Heels. His addition was made official on July 9, when the school issued a press release indicating his signing and arrival in Chapel Hill.[22]

Departures[]

North Carolina Departures
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Reason for Departure
Andrew Platek 3 G 6'4" 205 Senior Guilderland, NY Graduated and transferred to Siena
Day'Ron Sharpe 11 F/C 6'11" 265 Freshman Greenville, NC Declared for the 2021 NBA draft
Walker Kessler 13 F/C 7'1" 245 Freshman Newnan, GA Transferred to Auburn
Garrison Brooks 15 F 6'10" 240 Senior Lafayette, AL Graduated and transferred to Mississippi State
Sterling Manley 21 F 6'11" 250 Redshirt Junior Pickerington, OH Graduated
Walker Miller 22 F 6'11" 235 Senior Greensboro, NC Graduated and transferred to Monmouth
K. J. Smith 30 G 6'2" 170 Redshirt Senior Calabasas, CA Graduated

Incoming transfers[]

North Carolina Incoming Transfers
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Previous School Years Remaining Date Eligible
Dawson Garcia 13 F 6'11" 235 Sophomore Prior Lake, MN Marquette 4 October 1, 2021
Justin McKoy 22 F 6'8" 220 Junior Raleigh, NC Virginia 3 October 1, 2021
Brady Manek 45 F 6'9" 230 Graduate Student Harrah, OK Oklahoma 1 October 1, 2021

2021 Recruiting class[]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Dontrez Styles
SF 		Kinston, NC Kinston 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Apr 18, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 84
D'Marco Dunn
SG 		Tucson, AZ Westover (NC) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Sep 30, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 85
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 35  247Sports: 38
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "North Carolina 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  • "2021 North Carolina Tar Heels Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

Roster[]

2021–22 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 0 Anthony Harris 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) RS So Paul VI Catholic Woodbridge, VA
G/F 1 Leaky Black 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sr Cox Mill Concord, NC
G 2 Caleb Love (C) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) So Christian Brothers College St. Louis, MO
G/F 3 Dontrez Styles 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fr Kinston Kinston, NC
G 4 R. J. Davis (C) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) So Archbishop Stepinac White Plains, NY
F/C 5 Armando Bacot (C) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Jr IMG Academy Richmond, VA
G 11 D'Marco Dunn 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Fr Westover Tucson, AZ
F 13 Dawson Garcia 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) So Prior Lake
Marquette 		Prior Lake, MN
G 14 Puff Johnson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) So Hillcrest Prep Moon Township, PA
G 15 Rob Landry (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) So NCSSM Greensboro, NC
F 22 Justin McKoy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jr Panther Creek
Virginia 		Raleigh, NC
G 24 Kerwin Walton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) So Hopkins Hopkins, MN
G 25 Creighton Lebo (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) So Greenfield Greenville, NC
G 30 Jackson Watkins (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jr Collegiate School Richmond, VA
F 34 Duwe Farris (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jr Myers Park Charlotte, NC
F 35 Ryan McAdoo (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) RS Sr Saint Andrew's Boca Raton, FL
F 45 Brady Manek 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) GS Harrah
Oklahoma 		Harrah, OK
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Schedule and results[]

Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
November 5, 2021*
7:30 p.m., ACCNX 		No. 19 Elizabeth City State W 83–55  –
  17 – Garcia   7 – Black   5 – Tied  Dean Smith Center (18,061)
Chapel Hill, NC
Regular Season
November 9, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ACCN 		No. 19 W 83–67  1–0
  22 – Love   9 – Garcia   5 – Davis  Dean Smith Center (14,992)
Chapel Hill, NC
November 12, 2021*
9:00 p.m., ACCN 		No. 19 Brown W 94–87  2–0
  26 – Davis   10 – Bacot   6 – Davis  Dean Smith Center (16,854)
Chapel Hill, NC
November 16, 2021*
8:30 p.m., CBSSN 		No. 18 at College of Charleston W 94–83  3–0
  24 – Bacot   12 – Bacot   6 – Love  TD Arena (5,203)
Charleston, SC
November 20, 2021*
4:00 p.m., ESPNews 		No. 18 vs. No. 6 Purdue
Hall of Fame Tip Off semifinal 		L 84–93  3–1
  26 – Garcia   8 – Garcia   4 – Tied  Mohegan Sun Arena (9,176)
Uncasville, CT
November 21, 2021*
3:30 p.m., ESPN 		No. 18 vs. No. 17 Tennessee
Hall of Fame Tip Off third place game 		L 72–89  3–2
  16 – Bacot   12 – Bacot   4 – Davis  Mohegan Sun Arena (9,100)
Uncasville, CT
November 23, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ACCRSN 		UNC Asheville W 72–53  4–2
  22 – Bacot   11 – Black   5 – Love  Dean Smith Center (15,710)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 1, 2021*
9:15 p.m., ESPN 		No. 24 Michigan
ACC/Big Ten Challenge 		W 72–51  5–2
  22 – Love   14 – Bacot   4 – Love  Dean Smith Center (19,938)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 5, 2021
3:00 p.m., ESPN 		at Georgia Tech W 79–62  6–2
(1–0) 		 23 – Davis   13 – Bacot   5 – Tied  McCamish Pavilion (6,217)
Atlanta, GA
December 11, 2021*
8:00 p.m., ACCN 		W 80–63  7–2
  22 – Tied   8 – Black   3 – Black  Dean Smith Center (16,607)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 14, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ESPN2 		Furman W 74–61  8–2
  20 – Garcia   12 – Bacot   7 – Davis  Dean Smith Center (14,342)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 18, 2021*
3:00 p.m., CBS 		vs. No. 4 UCLA
CBS Sports Classic 		Canceled due to COVID-19 issues within UCLA program [23] T-Mobile Arena 
Paradise, NV
December 18, 2021*
5:30 p.m., CBS 		vs. No. 21 Kentucky
CBS Sports Classic 		L 69–98  8–3
  22 – Bacot   10 – Bacot   3 – Davis  T-Mobile Arena (12,117)
Paradise, NV
December 21, 2021*
7:00 p.m., ACCN 		Appalachian State W 70–50  9–3
  16 – Bacot   11 – Manek   5 – Love  Dean Smith Center (19,386)
Chapel Hill, NC
December 29, 2021
7:00 p.m., ESPN2 		Virginia Tech Postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Virginia Tech program [24] Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
January 1, 2022
12:00 p.m., ACCN 		at Boston College       Conte Forum 
Chestnut Hill, MA
January 5, 2022
9:00 p.m., ESPN2 		at Notre Dame       Edmund P. Joyce Center 
South Bend, IN
January 8, 2022
1:00 p.m., ESPN 		Virginia       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
January 15, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN 		Georgia Tech       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
January 18, 2022
7:00 p.m., ACCN 		at Miami (FL)       Watsco Center 
Coral Gables, FL
January 22, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN 		at Wake Forest
Rivalry 		      LJVM Coliseum 
Winston-Salem, NC
January 26, 2022
7:00 p.m., ACCRSN 		Boston College       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
January 29, 2022
2:00 p.m., ACCN 		NC State
Rivalry 		      Dean Smith Center 
Durham, NC
January 31, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN 		at Louisville       KFC Yum! Center 
Louisville, KY
February 5, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN 		Duke
Rivalry 		      Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
February 8, 2022
9:00 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2 		at Clemson       Littlejohn Coliseum 
Clemson, SC
February 12, 2022
2:00 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2 		Florida State       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
February 16, 2022
8:00 p.m., ACCN 		Pittsburgh       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
February 19, 2022
4:00 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2 		at Virginia Tech       Cassell Coliseum 
Blacksburg, VA
February 21, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN 		Louisville       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
February 26, 2022
2:00 p.m./4:00 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU 		at NC State
Rivalry 		      PNC Arena 
Raleigh, NC
February 28, 2022
7:00 p.m., ESPN 		Syracuse       Dean Smith Center 
Chapel Hill, NC
March 5, 2022
6:00 p.m., ESPN 		at Duke
Rivalry 		      Cameron Indoor Stadium 
Durham, NC
March 8–12, 2022
 vs. TBD
First round/Second round/Quarterfinals 		      Barclays Center 
Brooklyn, NY
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

[25]

Rankings[]

See also: 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Final 
AP 19 18 RV RV RV RV RV  
Coaches 20 20* RV NR RV RV NR

*Coaches did not release a week 1 poll.

References[]

  1. ^ Roy Williams Explains Kissing Center Court, retrieved 2021-04-03
  2. ^ Roy Williams Retirement Press Conference, retrieved 2021-04-03
  3. ^ ESPN SportsCenter Coverage of Roy Williams' Retirement, retrieved 2021-04-03
  4. ^ THI TV: UNC AD Bubba Cunningham Addresses Basketball Coaching Search, retrieved 2021-04-03
  5. ^ Norlander, Matt [@MattNorlander] (April 1, 2021). "The best job in college basketball just opened" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Davis named UNC coach, Williams' successor". ESPN.com. 2021-04-05. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  7. ^ Luck [@Quierra_Luck] (March 19, 2021). "I'm hearing from my sources Carolina will have some transfers; a considerably high number for UNC" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 20, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Sherrell D. McMillan [@RellDMC] (March 19, 2021). "Alone, this (likely) UNC loss isn't the end of the world. Coupled with roster uncertainty heading into an offseason unlike any other, it's... ominous" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Kessler, Walker [@WalkerKessler13] (March 22, 2021). "t.co/SxG9ruLCDF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ "Walker Kessler Leaving UNC". InsideCarolina.com. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  11. ^ "UNC freshman big man Sharpe to enter NBA draft". ESPN.com. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  12. ^ Armando Bacot Jr. [@iget_buckets35] (April 6, 2021). "Ready for whatever... t.co/EpruCAz49X" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Al Hood (June 21, 2021). "UNC Basketball: Armando Bacot officially returns to the Tar Heels". Tar Heel Blog.
  14. ^ "Sterling Manley Graduating from UNC, Entering NCAA Transfer Portal". InsideCarolina.com. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  15. ^ "UNC center Walker Miller to pursue graduate transfer". 247Sports. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  16. ^ "UNC's Garrison Brooks Enters Transfer Portal". 247Sports.
  17. ^ "North Carolina transfer Garrison Brooks intends to transfer to Mississippi State". 247Sports. April 15, 2021.
  18. ^ Avery Trendel (June 19, 2021). "Former UNC Forward Walker Miller Transferring to Monmouth". Chapelboro.com.
  19. ^ Mark Singelais (September 13, 2021). "Former Guilderland basketball star Andrew Platek enrolls at Siena". TimesUnion.com.
  20. ^ Krest, Shawn (April 10, 2021). "UNC Adds Virginia Transfer Justin McKoy". SI.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  21. ^ McMillan, Sherrell (April 15, 2021). "Oklahoma Transfer Brady Manek Commits to UNC". 247Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  22. ^ Kirschner, Steve (July 9, 2021). "Dawson Garcia Joins Men's Basketball Team - University of North Carolina Athletics". North Carolina Tar Heels.
  23. ^ "Men's Basketball Will Face Kentucky, Not UCLA, Saturday In Las Vegas". goheels.com. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  24. ^ "Men's Basketball Game Vs. Virginia Tech Postponed". GoHeels.com. December 27, 2021.
  25. ^ "2021–22 Men's Basketball Schedule". goheels.com. UNC Athletics.
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