By R.L. Bynum
CHAPEL HILL — The No. 25 Tar Heels showcased a brand of basketball built on trust and ball movement in their season opener.
Carolina piled up 23 assists on 33 field goals in a 94–54 rout of Central Arkansas on Monday, numbers that spoke louder than any of Caleb Wilson’s seven dunks on his way to a game-high 22 points in his college debut.
From the opening tip, the ball zipped around the floor, creating open shots and easy finishes. Seth Trimble, the only returning starter, said the difference from last season was evident.
“It’s a lot different,” said Trimble, who had 12 points and four assists. “[The team assist totals show] how unselfish guys are. There are not any personal agendas on the team, and we’re just playing the hot hand. Talent, approach and mindset. I think we’ve taken a step up in each and every way,”
Sharing the team high with five assists were junior Luka Bogavac (10 points), in his college debut, and junior Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans (15 points). Evans seems to be building better chemistry with the team.
“I think tonight was just a good game for me,” Evans said. “There will be a lot of tests throughout the year, but I want to keep that up. It’s been fun [taking over the offense]. As a point guard, I can just throw it up and let them make a play a lot of the times. And then, like hockey assists, I can throw it to one guy and I got faith in him [that] he’ll make the right play.”
The confidence goes hand in hand with the unselfishness that wasn’t just about making the extra pass. It was, as Arizona transfer center Henri Veesaar said, about building advantages.
“During an offense, you’re trying to build advantages,” said Veesaar, who had his first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
“Maybe hitting one good screen, you get like 0.2 seconds off it, then somebody makes a good pass, trying to build up like a second or second and a half to get an open shot,” Veesaar said. “Having the ball not stick is really good, because every time it sticks, you empty it out again, and then you have to start from zero.”
The result was a rhythm that produced highlight plays and hockey assists. Veesaar praised Wilson’s role in that flow.
“Just seeing him kind of move the ball and make hockey assists,” Veesaar said, “he will make a pass that gives a little advantage, and then somebody else can make the assist.”
Wilson said the team chemistry is still growing, but is already paying off.
“It’s been really good,” Wilson said. “I think we’ve limited turnovers. Everybody was questioning that when we first got together. But once we learn how to play each other and learn how to get the ball to each other in places that we need to, it’ll be great.”
Carolina forced 17 turnovers, scored 26 fast-break points, and shared the ball well.
Fast and effective, as the Tar Heels will need to be Friday night against No. 19 Kansas.
Photos courtesy of UNC Athletics
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