Season in Review: Will Graves

This past year, we finally saw some of that sharp shooter rumor that had followed Will Graves around since he arrived on campus. Graves started at the three spot all year except for a handful of games where he was injured. The issues that followed him last year and ended up getting him suspended, didn't rear their head and haunt him this year. Graves had some monster games for the Heels this year where he was launching threes and draining them. Graves was even a great team player by playing the four spot at times this year when the Heels were a little thin in the post or when they went small, therefore showing off his versatility.

What I didn't like:

1. Inconsistency. As mentioned above, Graves did have some monster games this past year. In the NIT final against Dayton, Graves had 25 points, but he also had a three game stretch against BC, GA Tech, and NC State where he only totaled 16 points in those three games. If you look at the stats, this pattern happened quite often. Graves, as a senior needs to step up and be more consistent for the baby Heels.

2. Defense. Graves hasn't. been exceptional on the defensive end. He just needs to buckle down and start defending, especially since he will be needed to play some in the four spot again this year.

What I liked:

1. Shooting. Graves was one of the few Tar Heels who could stretch the opposing defense with the three point shot. Although I would like his consistency to improve, he did shoot at a 37% clip, but it seemed when he had his good nights, he was unstoppable and then when he had his bad nights, he wasn't a threat at all, which would explain the inconsistency.

2. Rebounding. Despite his size, Graves isn't a bad rebounder. He gets 5 a game and that was only in 25 minutes. He only had 1 double-double, but had quite a few 8 and 9 rebound games. Granted, he had to rebound because the Heels got thin in the post as the season progressed, but he did a commendable job and proved that he's just not a shooter.

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Will Graves is going to be the leader of this team, which is scary, but I hope he can pull through for this year's team. Although he doesn't need to be the leading scorer (I think Harrison Barnes will inherit that), he does need to be consistent for the Heels. I'm not sure if Graves will even start next year, but he needs to accept his role and perform that role to the best of his abilities.