OK, let’s all take a deep breath when it comes to Harrison Barnes.
The first freshman to garner AP preseason All-America honors started strong with solid games against Lipscomb (14 points, 4 rebounds) and Hofstra (19 points, 7 rebounds), hitting 13 of 23 shots and committing just two turnovers. North Carolina won both games.
The following two games were a different story. Losses to Minnesota and Vanderbilt saw Barnes go 4-24 from the field, score half as many points and look ineffective at times.
Ahhhhh! The Tar Heels’ savior is just an ordinary player!
But instead of fantasizing about what Barnes would do in systems where he didn’t have to do it all – say, Ohio State, where Jared Sullinger is currently tearing it up – why don’t we just wait and see how this all plays out?
I mean, we’re four games into the season. That’s not a sample size. It’s barely even two weeks of games. Barnes is adjusting to a new system, new teammates and more responsibilities than he’s ever had before. Check back after home games against UNC-Asheville and College of Charleston. I’m guessing he’ll find his shooting form then. And lose it again, and find it again, and lose it again, etc. You know, kind of like the kind of struggles every freshman who’s ever played the game?
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