Why Mingo UNC Decommitment Was Blessing in Disguise

On the same day that Mingo announced his decommitment, the Tar Heels landed a commitment from Neoklis Avdalas. It was a commitment that marked Michael Malone’s first significant move as head coach and seemed like an obvious replacement for the 5-star point guard's departure. 

As we all know, Utah’s Terrence Brown committed shortly after, as did NC State’s Matt Able, giving a brand new look to the Tar Heels' backcourt. 

As the offseason rages on, one question plenty of Tar Heels fans have is whether or not this team can have a successful year one with so many moving parts. 

It’s a very valid question. The entire projected starting lineup for the Heels has never played a single minute of basketball together, and a brand-new staff doesn’t help that cohesiveness. 

Why Losing Mingo Could Be Beneficial Overall

However, what the Tar Heels lack in chemistry and continuity, they make up for in experience. As we know, Michael Malone comes to the Heels with tons of coaching experience, most notably at a higher level. 

Within the starting roster, just about everyone has had multiple years of college basketball. Brown and Jarin Stevenson will both enter their fourth season of college basketball. Recent addition Cameron Fens will enter his fifth season, and Avdalas and Able both have a year under their belt.

Even some of the depth pieces in the backcourt have valuable experience. Jaydon Young enters his fourth college basketball season, and Isaiah Denis returns for his second with the Heels. 

While Mingo may have been an excellent player, bringing in an inexperienced freshman and throwing him in a starting lineup with this many moving pieces may not have been the best idea. 

Allowing experienced players to take the reins in Malone’s first season may make things easier on just about everyone. Overall, it may have been a blessing in disguise because without it, we don’t know who the Tar Heels would have been able to land in the portal.