Tar Heels have a chance to be 'legendary'

Just like every other member of the No. 1-seeded North Carolina men’s basketball team, point guard Kendall Marshall hopes to be standing in a confetti shower in New Orleans come April 2, celebrating the Tar Heels’ sixth NCAA championship.

Marshall looks at that possibility as his ticket to the place he ultimately wants to reside forever: in the hearts and minds of UNC fans.

“I feel like the whole offseason, the entire regular season, was all building up to getting back to this point,” he said. “The things that I have focused on maybe the past month are wanting to be remembered for what we’ve done on the court and trying to leave a legendary mark.”

Today at Greensboro Coliseum, the Tar Heels (29-5) will kick off their quest for yet another banner when they play No. 16-seeded Vermont (24-11) in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

As of Thursday, Roy Williams still had not announced whether starting forward John Henson, who injured his wrist against Maryland in the ACC tournament, would be healthy enough to play in Friday’s contest.

The two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year leads the conference in blocks and rebounds per game, and he averages a double-double in points and rebounds for North Carolina.

But regardless of UNC’s lineup, fellow forward Harrison Barnes said he believes the Tar Heels are prepared to play at their best.

“The focus is definitely a lot greater during the NCAA tournament,” Barnes said.

“There’s no really way to explain it, but it’s just kind of that, ‘OK, now is where you play your best games, now is where you have your best performances, your maximum effort, your maximum concentration. This is what you come to college basketball for.’”

Barnes said he believes there is no substitute for experience. And if that’s the case, the Tar Heels are set up to fare well in postseason play.

If Henson plays Friday, North Carolina will return four of five regular starters from last year — more than any other team in the NCAA tournament with a top-3 seed.

Last year in the Tar Heels’ Elite Eight matchup with Kentucky, Barnes said a lack of experience played a role in the Tar Heels’ 76-69 loss that stopped UNC just short of its 19th Final Four appearance.

“As a freshman last year, I was just kind of out there just playing. I don’t think I realized how big it could be, how special the end of that season could be,” Marshall said.

“But this year I think I’m well aware of what we have the potential to accomplish. Personally, I’m well aware of how I can help my team accomplish that goal.”

That might be the understatement of the season. The sophomore guard, who owns the ACC single-season assist record and the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the country, has registered double-digit assists in 15 of UNC’s games this season.

Marshall, who averages a team-high 33 minutes per game, is the vocal leader on the court for the Tar Heels, and he’s proved many times this season he has a knack for putting the ball in good hands.

But lately, the best hands are often his own.

In the past seven contests, Marshall has averaged more than 12 points per game, and five of his eight double-digit scoring efforts this season have come in the past four weeks.

Williams, though, still sees room for growth.

“He’s more confident in his shooting,” Williams said. “There’s no question that he could become a really good shooter. And if he could become a really good shooter, well then it’d be almost illegal.”

When Tyler Zeller was voted ACC Player of the Year on March 6, the senior earned the right to have his jersey hung from the ceiling in the Smith Center.

To Marshall, who longs to be remembered, there’s no better example of something to shoot for.

Even if he helps North Carolina win a national title, Marshall’s No. 5 jersey still might never hang in the rafters with the likes of Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter and Phil Ford.

But today, Marshall will lead his team down a path toward something even those legendary men before him don’t have: the ultimate prize.

“Individually, Z is going to be in the rafters. That’s legendary. That’s something no one can ever take away from him,” Marshall said.

“As a team, we have a chance to put a banner up — to be legendary. And I feel like everybody is appreciating that and taking it with stride.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.