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Friday Mailbag: Keeping It Heel staff answers your UNC questions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:32 p.m. ET

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Keeping It Heel introduces its first mailbag of the year answering UNC questions from fans

Welcome to our first mailbag!

We decided to introduce a new segment where the staff at Keeping It Heel answers your questions on a weekly basis. The mailbag will be posted every Friday as we pick some questions asked by the fans and answer them.

Just a heads up, this is our pilot one so it might be a little rough. Give us some time and it will improve.

To submit a question, you can reply to us via Twitter or send us a DM on Twitter. We will be opening an email account in the future as well.

As for the first week, here we go! Enjoy!

Q:  What will be the most effective lineup for the basketball team? via Twitter

Feb 9, 2016; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Isaiah Hicks (4) dribbles the ball against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Griffin: I actually like the smaller lineup of Hicks, Jackson, Pinson, Berry, and Britt. It has experience. It has good shooting. It also has good ball handling with two point guards. I also think it may be our strongest defensive unit. The only question is size, though Hicks is a rebounding machine.

Blake Cockrum:  The most effective lineup will be the one that gives UNC the most balance. It’s my belief that the assumed starting lineup will do just that. With Berry at the point, Pinson at the two-guard, Jackson on the wing, Hicks and Meeks down low, the Tar Heels have their best all-around lineup.

Their ability to facilitate, hit shots and rebound as a whole are better than any other five that Roy Williams can put on the court this season. The exception to that might be the insertion of freshman big man Tony Bradley.

If he were to step in for Hicks or Meeks, I don’t think there would be that big of a drop off in production, if any.

Zack Pearson: I really like the lineup of Berry II, Pinson, Jackson, Hicks and Meeks as previously mentioned by Blake. Pinson could be the biggest X-factor on this team regardless if he starts this season or comes off the bench.

The post play of Hicks and Meeks will also be key. Last season, the Tar Heels were dominant down low with the rotation of Johnson, Hicks and Meeks. Without Johnson the production will likely drop, but we will see what the other two can do.

Q: Would we have the advantage on Saturday if it rains due to two elite backs in Hood & Logan? via Twitter

Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) carries the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the 3rd quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Griffin: I dont know. Hood hasn’t been as effective this season and is coming off what looked like to me as a possible concussion. Logan has been great but he is more like a wide receiver out of the backfield.

The Heels strength this season is the pass. Anything that hinders that is not an advantage for the Heels.

Blake Cockrum:  I never like to rely on uncontrollable factors, such as the weather, to positively impact the outcome of a game. Give me the Hokies straight up and I like the Tar Heels’ chances.

UNC’s strength is clearly in the passing game and anything that hinders that takes away any offensive advantage we have.

While Logan has had a terrific season to this point, Hood hasn’t quite put it all together yet. I don’t think that will change in a rain soaked game on a soggy field.

Zack Pearson: UNC’s offense is going to have to put up points one way or the other on Saturday and will be facing a stingy Virginia Tech defense.

I think UNC has an advantage with the two-headed monster of Logan and Hood. But keep your eye on Mitch Trubisky who is looking to continue his hot play.

Q: Can they simply just keep the field covered until game time? via Twitter

Oct 24, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels band performs the National Anthem at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Griffin:  No. No they can not. Not less Kenan is secretly become a dome since the time I was there.

Blake Cockrum:  If the game were being played at Boshamer Stadium (UNC baseball) then I’d say yes. Unfortunately though, there aren’t giant tarps at football stadiums used to keep the field dry.

Until there is, the Tar Heels will be subject to any adverse weather conditions that are in the area.

Zack Pearson: Not really. The game will go on according to UNC, so if it does rain a ton they will try to take measures to get the water off the field. It could be sloppy on Saturday.

Q: Is Elijah Hood playing against Tech? And what impact can he have? via Twitter

Nov 28, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Griffin: Yes, from the early reports I have seen. The run defense seems to be Tech’s weak spot.

They only rank 17th in the nation against the run. However they haven’t really played anybody either. In their only significant game, they allowed Tennessee to rush for 239 yards. So it is possible Hood could rush for over 100 yards for the second time this season. A balanced attack is always the best answer in football.

If Hood can pick up some yards, it will open up an already elite passing attack.

Blake Cockrum:  All indications point to Hood playing. Fedora has said that he believes that star running back will be able to take the field against Virginia Tech this Saturday. Until we see an injury report suggesting otherwise, I’m going to assume that we’ll see number 34 in blue when the Tar Heels take the field.

Zack Pearson: Yes, despite the nagging injury I expect Hood to play. Now how effective he can be remains in question.

The good news is that UNC has a very good back in T.J. Logan right behind him.

Q: Prediction on Saturday’s UNC-Virginia Tech game? via Twitter

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Griffin: UNC 45, Virginia Tech 31. I still don’t buy Virginia Tech this season. They havent beaten anyone legit and will be playing their first true road game this week in Chapel Hill.

I believe the turnovers will return and with them UNC will run away from the Hokies.

Blake Cockrum: UNC 38, Virginia Tech 24.  I like UNC in this one. The Tar Heels will challenge Virginia Tech’s defense, particularly in the passing game. Trubisky will throw for 3 touchdowns and the UNC backfield will account for two more.

Zack Pearson: UNC 31, Virginia Tech 23. I really think UNC’s run defense plays better in this game and does so from the start. Quarterback Jerod Evans is one to keep an eye out on as he can beat you both through the air and with his feet.

Look for Trubisky to have another big day as UNC’s win streak stays alive.

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