UNC basketball has seen a mix of performances this season. Junior Cade Tyson, once on the preseason watchlist for the 2024-25 Karl Malone Award, has faced challenges. As a Belmont sophomore, he was known for his high 3-point percentage. But now, with UNC's 5-4 start, his stats have taken a dip.

UNC Basketball's Cade Tyson - From Promise to Perplexity

The Preseason Promise

UNC basketball junior Cade Tyson was one of the 20 players on the preseason watchlist for the prestigious 2024-25 Karl Malone Award. This recognition came after his impressive performance as a Belmont sophomore. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 200 pounds, he was a guard/forward with a remarkable 3-point shooting ability. Many predicted he would earn a spot in the starting lineup for Hubert Davis' fourth batch of Tar Heels. His talent and potential seemed boundless.However, since joining UNC, Tyson's performance has taken an unexpected turn. The team started unranked and has had a 5-4 record so far. Tyson's average points per game have dropped from 16.2 last season with the Bruins to only 2.7 this season. This significant decline has raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike.

The Present Struggles

In the past four outings, Tyson has failed to score a single point. His playing time has also seen a considerable dip. He has played no more than eight minutes in a game since his relatively promising back-to-back performances in wins over American and Hawaii weeks ago. This lack of production and playing time has led to criticism.247Sports college hoops expert Travis Branham gave Tyson an F when he handed out grades to 19 notable transfers in the NCAA. Branham pointed out that Tyson's shooting percentage this season is just 26.7 percent from three. But the more glaring issue, according to Branham, is his defense. He has struggled to keep opponents in front of him on the perimeter. In mid-December, he is barely in UNC's rotation.

The Road Ahead

The UNC basketball squad now hosts the unranked La Salle Explorers (6-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10) in the Dean E. Smith Center at 4 p.m. ET Saturday (The CW Network). This game presents an opportunity for Tyson to turn things around. He will need to regain his shooting touch and improve his defense. Fans and coaches will be watching closely to see if he can bounce back and make a significant contribution to the team.UNC has several other players who have also fallen short of expectations. But with the upcoming game against La Salle, there is hope that the team can start to turn things around. Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball news.