By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — No. 9 North Carolina gave Florida State a taste of what it’s like to be forced into a fast tempo, and opponents might be in for a steady diet of that the rest of the season as the transition points pile up.
Coach Roy Williams always wanted his Tar Heels teams to go fast and that’s to Coach Hubert Davis’ liking as well. His team showed against the Seminoles that he has the personnel to excel while doing that.
“I want to go; I want to be fast,” Davis said. “Even after made baskets, I want to get the ball out quick, and I want to get it into early offense as quickly as we can.”
Davis said that his team can grow even more in terms of pushing the pace, and that he wants the Tar Heels to be the fastest team from free-throw line to free-throw line.
“In our primary break, we’re looking for a layup or a dunk or a deep-post catch, or let’s get fouled and get to the free-throw line or a quick open 3 from our best 3-point shooters,” Davis said. “When we don’t have that, then we’ll just flow right into our offense. Once we get into our offense, I’m going to run that with purpose and pace.”
Having RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble on the court at the same time, which happened for long second-half stretches against Florida State, facilitates the fast-moving offense.
“I’ve always said that I loved and I want as many playmakers out there on the floor as possible,” Coach Davis said. “I like to have at least two more guards on the floor at all times. As many guys who can create shots at the offensive end as you can, that’s what I love and that’s what I like to like to coach.”
To be successful against a Florida State program known for denying outlet passes suggests that the Tar Heels can have even more success against other teams.
In Carolina’s half-court offense, Coach Davis has emphasized that his players have to do a better job of setting screens to create open shots. To that end, he’s started to count “screen assists” to give players positive feedback when screens lead to points.
“Our guys have really caught on to that, and then just how we’re sharing the basketball [has been good],” said Coach Davis, adding that he thinks RJ Davis is getting more quality shots as a result.
Against No. 5 and reigning national champion UConn (7–1) on Tuesday at 9 p.m. in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden (ESPN), the Huskies’ size will make it tougher to rebound and start fast breaks that way.
“When we’re able to control the boards, it gets us out in transition and where our pace is where we’re thinking should be,” Coach Davis said. “I think from an offensive standpoint, we’re pretty good. We share the ball — always good to great — we’re unselfish. Another thing that we’re doing really well as we’re getting to the free-throw line, and we’re attacking the basket through post penetration, offensive rebounding, and it’s allowing us to get to the free-throw line and making free throws, so my hope is that we can do that very well [Tuesday] night.”
Florida State gave Armando Bacot a lot of tall players to contend with, but nobody as imposing as 7–2, 280-pound sophomore center Donovan Clingan, who averages 14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
“That size, from a defensive standpoint, really clogs up the lane and makes it difficult to get consistent points in the paint,” Davis said. “Whether you’re coming off ball screens in transition or trying to straight post up, having that length and size makes it more difficult.
“And then, on the offensive end, their ability to throw it down to the post and be able to score consistently around the basket is also something that we’re gonna have to deal with [Tuesday] night as well,” he said. “[Clingan is] getting better every game. He’s more confident, obviously getting more playing time this year and he’s just a really good player.”
In the backcourt, fifth-year 6–5, 195-pound guard Tristen Newton, who transferred from East Carolina and was part of last season’s NCAA champion team with UConn, is talented and will be tough to guard. He’s averaging 17.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.7% from the floor and making 37.5% of his 3-point attempts.
“He has the ability to create good shots in clock situations anytime in the offense,” Davis said. “It’s going to be a challenge for us to be able to keep them out of the paint, keep down his assists, contain him in terms of shooting the ball from outside and he’s also really good offensive rebounder. When you talk about rebounding, it’s got to be one through five. They’ll crash the offensive boards, even from the point guard position. So excited about our guys competing against him. He’s one of the better guards in the country. “
Here’s what Coach Davis had to say about other topics:
—On RJ Davis’ leadership skills:
“His growth has has been in how comfortable he is in terms of leading. I’ve never seen him as vocal in terms of talking to guys and getting everybody on the same page on and off the court during practice. If things aren’t going well, whether in a game or practice, he’s talking to the huddles. His communication and his comfort level and confidence in being able to have a voice within his own personality has been a major difference. And so I love it. I’m glad that he feels comfortable and confident enough to be able to do that this year.”
—On the intensity of Cormac Ryan and Harrison Ingram:
“I just remember the first year with Brady [Manek] and it was just screaming all the time, but it was good screaming. I like that type of communication; I just do. And I encourage it during practice games and and huddles. I want those guys expressing, using their personality and I’ll use my personality and we’re all heading in the same direction.”
—On whether he expected Ingram to play such a big role when he convinced him to come to UNC:
“Yes. I’m so thankful that he’s here. From an offensive standpoint — because of his size — he can play multiple positions, and his versatility of being able to score on the post and pass and shoot the ball from outside and handle basketball. That’s a huge benefit for us offensively and on the defensive end. His versatility defensively being able to guard many positions and his leadership.
“His emotions are coming out because I think he’s just so happy to be here. He’s just so excited to be on this stage and having an opportunity to perform on this stage. That is just a natural emotion of it coming out. And so I love it. And I’m glad that he’s here.”
—On Cadeau, so far, navigating the steep learning curve that comes with being a UNC point guard:
“He’s a terrific player, but I think you can see the first second he gets on the floor, everything is all about team. Look at Elliot’s reaction when he sees a teammate score after he passes the ball. It’s a great example of how he’s just instinctively thinking team first. It’s always an adjustment. I don’t care how talented you are coming from high school to playing at this level is always adjustment, but I think he’s done it really well.”
—On his days with the New York Knicks and being scared of their physical players:
“When I came out. I knew I was gonna get picked around the 20s in the first round. And I wanted to get picked by the Phoenix Suns because that’s where Uncle Walter played, and I thought that would be really cool to play with Charles Barkley and Dan Marley. Then my second choice was the Boston Celtics because Rick Fox was there and so I get to play with one of my best friends and play in the NBA.
“Last place that I wanted to be picked was the New York Knicks because of that reason. I saw them in the playoffs the year before, and I was like, ‘they’re gonna break me in half’ [with Patrick Ewing and Anthony Mason, Charles Oakley and John Starks]. Those look like some of the meanest guys in the world. They’re beating up Michael [Jordan], what are they gonna do to me? I was really nervous about being a part of that team, and it was the best team I could have ever gone to. And I wish I could have played all 12 years with them.”
NOTES — Huskies 6–6 freshman guard Stephon Castle, a projected NBA lottery pick, will likely be available after missing the last six games with a knee injury. He has averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his two games this season. … UNC is 5–1 against UConn, with all six games played between 1990 and 2005. Carolina won 75–64 in their only NCAA tournament appearance, the 1998 Elite Eight in Greensboro. UNC won the last meeting 77–70 in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 13, 2005. … Hubert Davis scored 11 points in UNC’s 79–64 win over the Huskies on Dec. 6, 1990, in the ACC/Big East Challenge. … The programs have combined to win 11 NCAA titles. … The game matches two of the most efficient offenses in the country. UConn is No. 3 in offensive efficiency at 121.2 points per 100 possessions while UNC is fifth at 119.6. … On the ESPN call of the game will be Dan Schulman, Jay Bilas and Angel Gray. … This is Carolina’s third appearance in the Jimmy V Classic after beating UMass 83-69 on Dec. 20, 1996, and losing to Indiana 82-73 on Dec. 21, 1999, with both games played at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.
UNC season statistics
UConn season statistics
UNC-UConn KenPom comparison
| UNC | UConn | |
| Overall ranking | 12 | 4 |
| Offensive efficiency | 119.7 (5) | 121.2 (3) |
| Defensive efficiency | 97.1 (36) | 93.7 (14) |
| Effective FG% | 52.2 (102) | 57.0 (20) |
| Turnover % | 14.4 (34) | 15.0 (50) |
| Offensive rebound % | 34.1 (66) | 40.2 (8) |
| FTA/FGA | 46.9 (15) | 36.8 (111) |
| Strength of schedule | 78 | 309 |
UNC-UConn series: Heels lead 5-1
| Date | Month/day | Score | Opponent/event (current ranks) | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | ||||
| 27 | Friday | W, 117–53 | vs. St. Augustine’s | Exhibition |
| November | ||||
| 6 | Monday | W, 86–70 | vs. Radford | 1–0 |
| 12 | Sunday | W, 90–68 | vs. Lehigh | 2–0 |
| 17 | Friday | W, 77–52 | vs. UC Riverside | 3–0 |
| Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas | ||||
| 22 | Wednesday | W, 91–69 | Northern Iowa | 4–0 |
| 23 | Thursday | L, 83–81, OT | Villanova | 4–1 |
| 24 | Friday | W, 87–72 | Arkansas | 5–1 |
| ACC/SEC Men’s Challenge | ||||
| 29 | Wednesday | W, 100–92 | vs. No. 6 Tennessee | 6–1 |
| December | ||||
| 2 | Saturday | W, 78–70 | vs. Florida State | 7–1, 1–0 ACC |
| Jimmy V Classic in New York | ||||
| 5 | Tuesday | L, 87–67 | No. 1 Connecticut | 7–2 |
| CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta | ||||
| 16 | Saturday | L, 87–83 | No. 12 Kentucky | 7–3 |
| Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte | ||||
| 20 | Wednesday | W, 81–69 | Oklahoma | 8–3 |
| ————————— | ||||
| 29 | Friday | W, 105–60 | vs. Charleston Southern | 9–3 |
| January | ||||
| 2 | Tuesday | W, 70–57 | at Pittsburgh | 10–3, 2–0 ACC |
| 6 | Saturday | W, 65–55 | at Clemson | 11–3, 3–0 ACC |
| 10 | Wednesday | W, 67–54 | at N.C. State | 12–3, 4–0 ACC |
| 13 | Saturday | W, 103–67 | vs. Syracuse | 13–3, 5–0 ACC |
| 17 | Wednesday | W, 86–70 | vs. Louisville | 14–3, 6–0 ACC |
| 20 | Saturday | W, 76–66 | vs. Boston College | 15–3, 7–0 ACC |
| 22 | Monday | W, 85–64 | vs. Wake Forest | 16–3, 8–0 ACC |
| 27 | Saturday | W, 75–68 | at Florida State | 17–3, 9–0 ACC |
| 30 | Tuesday | L, 74–73 | at Georgia Tech | 17–4, 9–1 ACC |
| February | ||||
| 3 | Saturday | W, 93–84 | vs. No. 13 Duke | 18–4, 10–1 ACC |
| 6 | Tuesday | L, 80–76 | vs. Clemson | 18–5, 10–2 ACC |
| 10 | Saturday | W, 75–72 | at Miami | 19–5, 11–2 ACC |
| 13 | Tuesday | L, 86–79 | at Syracuse | 19–6, 11–3 ACC |
| 17 | Saturday | W, 96–81 | vs. Virginia Tech | 20–6, 12–3 ACC |
| 24 | Saturday | W, 54–44 | at Virginia | 21–6, 13–3 ACC |
| 26 | Monday | W, 75–71 | vs. Miami | 22–6, 14–3 ACC |
| March | ||||
| 2 | Saturday | W, 79–70 | vs. N.C. State | 23–6, 15–3 ACC |
| 5 | Tuesday | W, 84–51 | vs. Notre Dame | 24–6, 16–3 ACC |
| 9 | Saturday | W, 84–79 | at No. 13 Duke | 25–6, 17–3 ACC |
| ACC tournament Washington | ||||
| 14 | Thursday | W, 92–67 | Quarterfinals: Florida State | 26–6 |
| 15 | Friday | W, 72–65 | Semifinals: Pittsburgh | 27–6 |
| 16 | Saturday | L, 84–76 | Final: N.C. State | 27–7 |
| NCAA tournament | ||||
| 21 | Thursday | W, 90–62 | First round in Charlotte: Wagner | 28–7 |
| 23 | Saturday | W, 85–69 | Second round in Charlotte: Michigan State | 29–7 |
| 28 | Thursday | L, 89–87 | Sweet 16 in Los Angeles: No. 19 Alabama | 29–8 |
Photo via @UNC_Basketball
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