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In the good news we've all been waiting for, James Michael McAdoo announced today that he would return for the 2012-13 season. From the UNC press release:
"I've had several discussions about my future plans with my family and Coach Williams and have decided to return to UNC to continue playing for the Tar Heels and continue my education," says McAdoo. "I love being at Carolina and really enjoy competing with and being around my teammates and am excited about what we can do together next season.
"Every young basketball player wants to have as much information about his future and understand what others in the game think about him. It's been interesting to learn the information that Coach Williams has gathered, but I am ready to continue as a Tar Heel. I'm enjoying my time in Chapel Hill and am excited about the future for my team and me."
Although he averaged less than sixteen minutes a game, he will be the most experienced member of the Tar Heels' frontcourt, and as someone projected to go as high as seventh in this year's draft, their most formidable offensive weapon. This is a reason to be excited. Unfortunately, the national media has lost their minds. Case in point:
UNC just released statement that James Michael McAdoo is returning. That makes the Tar Heels Final Four contenders.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) April 5, 2012
Keep in mind, UNC will still be very thin in the paint. They'll be relying on a lot of freshmen. Their options at the point guard are Dexter Strickland, who would really rather be on the wing, and freshman Marcus Paige. And neither of them will be taking the court anytime soon, as Strickland is still rehabbing his ACL and Paige will spend the next six to eight weeks healing a stress fracture.
This team is going to start the year at roughly the level the 2010-11 team began with. They'll have slightly less talent, and slightly more experience. Unfortunately, it looks like they're also going to start at the same level of hype. It's a pity; I was looking forward to Carolina starting the year as an underdog for once.