Pivotal Player: Julius Peppers
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
Ed Cota found him playing pickup ball, even though North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge
knew about him when he was a football recruit.
|  | | Julius Peppers has been a surprising force inside for North Carolina. |
But Guthridge said he's been a "godsend" to have on the floor.
Foul problems to Brendan Haywood, as well as nagging injuries, have limited
the 7-foot center's impact. Kris Lang's ailing legs have kept him off the
court often.
Brian Bersticker's injuries and the early-season defection of Vasil
Evtimov and the ineligible status of signee Jason Parker meant the Tar Heels
needed another post player.
In stepped 6-7, 270-pound Julius Peppers. Defensive end Julius Peppers. Strongman Julius Peppers.
Peppers has given the Tar Heels a rebounding, physical player inside
to come off the bench since he joined the team Nov. 29 after it returned from Maui Invitational.
Peppers can score, too, finishing around the basket with strength and agility. He even has a
few moves inside where he can convert reverse layups. His potential on the backboards is unlimited -- witness his 13 boards against Clemson.
In the NCAA Tournament, Peppers is averaging 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17.5 minutes of action per game. Stanford coach Mike Montgomery singled him out as a big reason why the top-seeded Cardinal lost to North Carolina in the second round. Peppers had six points, three rebounds and three blocks while helping shut down Stanford's front line (which went 7-for-29 for the game).
Peppers' three-point play with six seconds left in the half helped give the
Tar Heels a 28-27 lead at the break.
Peppers is the one Tar Heel who won't back down against Florida's
Donnell Harvey. While Haywood has been considered soft at times, that won't
be an issue for Peppers. Remember, he had 50 tackles and led the Tar Heels in sacks as a freshman defensive end in '99.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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