North Carolina’s rebounding problem showed up fast, and it’s already putting Cameron Fens’ eligibility situation under a brighter spotlight.
The Tar Heels were exposed on the glass in exhibition games against Indiana and Charlotte, then opened the regular season by getting beaten 41-32 on the boards at home against Western Carolina despite having the size advantage. That’s the kind of early-season trend that gets fans looking for answers, and for UNC, the most obvious one may be a player who still isn’t available.
Fens, a seven-foot transfer from South Dakota, remains in eligibility limbo, and that uncertainty is only making the frustration worse for Carolina supporters. Even after just one game, it’s easy to see why his potential arrival feels so important.
Last season at South Dakota, Fens averaged 8.7 rebounds, exactly the sort of production UNC could use right now. The Tar Heels have already lost the rebounding battle in two of three exhibition games, and the opener against Western Carolina suggested this could be a season-long issue unless something changes.
What Fens would bring goes beyond simply cleaning up missed shots. He would add physicality to a frontcourt that has looked thin in that department so far, give Carolina more second-chance opportunities, and offer a different kind of presence in the paint.
His availability would also give Malone more options with lineups up front. Sayon Keita, for example, could benefit from sharing the floor with Fens, easing some of the burden on him to be the lone physical force inside.
That depth would matter even more against bigger ACC opponents. Keita has already run into foul trouble, and having another body like Fens in the mix would give UNC a much-needed buffer.
There’s also the defensive side of it. Fens would add another rim protector and make life tougher for teams trying to attack the basket against North Carolina. With his size in the middle, opponents would have a harder time scoring around the rim, which is exactly the kind of help the Tar Heels could use.
For now, though, it all comes back to eligibility. Fens could be the piece that changes the feel of this team, but until that gets sorted out, UNC fans are left waiting while the rebounding issues keep piling up.
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