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There’s one big difference between the defensive philosophies of Roy Williams and Hubert Davis. Williams preferred that defenders fight through screens and stick with their assigned man. Davis is more willing to switch, even at the risk of occasional mismatches.
When UNC coach Hubert Davis watched video of the Tar Heels’ 97–83 loss Saturday at SMU, the defensive breakdowns jumped out for him.
CHAPEL HILL — With the worst free-throw shooting team in the ACC, close games are always going to be perilous for No. 16 North Carolina. Add poor rebounding and damaging turnovers, and it produced overtime heartbreak for the second time in three weeks.
No. 12 North Carolina was one of a few ACC teams to fall in the NET rankings after Saturday’s action, but the damage was minimal for the Tar Heels.
In a shot at North Carolina during a preseason gathering of N.C. State fans, first-year Wolfpack coach Will Wade said that “the other school was too dumb” to play Ven-Allen Lubin. Wade said that when Lubin played “28-plus minutes” for the Tar Heels, he averaged 15 points and eight rebounds. Wade wasn’t far off: Lubin is averaging 14.0 points and 7.6 rebounds in those eight games. In 15 games overall for N.C. State, he’s averaging 26.7 minutes, 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds.
DALLAS — Lacking a true point guard hasn’t been a problem for No. 12 North Carolina for most of the season, primarily thanks to one of the top front-court duos in the country.
If you want to watch No. 12 North Carolina’s game Saturday at SMU on TV, you’ll have to figure out your CW affiliate.
Here’s a look at No. 12 North Carolina’s first road ACC game of the season against SMU in Dallas.
CHAPEL HILL — No. 16 North Carolina endured 21 minutes of uneven play with careless mistakes and bad shooting. But once the Tar Heels found their rhythm, they delivered 19 of their most efficient minutes of the season.
Here’s a look at Thursday’s noon ACC matchup between California and No. 16 Cal at Carmichael Arena.
North Carolina’s third Quad 3 win of the season on Tuesday against Florida State didn’t help its NCAA resume, but the Tar Heels will get a golden chance in Dallas on Saturday to bolster it.
CHAPEL HILL — Henri Veesaar didn’t score a point in the first half Tuesday night, something that hadn’t happened all season. The junior Estonian star had only one shot and admitted he was “playing a little bit flat.” But the turnaround started immediately. Coach Hubert Davis had UNC run a play for Veesaar on its first possession of the second half, and he converted.
CHAPEL HILL — Caleb Wilson’s incredible numbers Tuesday night looked like something out of a video game: leading No. 12 North Carolina with 22 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
CHAPEL HILL — When Florida State packed its defense inside and dared North Carolina’s guards to beat them, Kyan Evans answered with his best shooting night of the season.
CHAPEL HILL — For much of the first half, No. 12 North Carolina didn’t match Florida State’s pressure and constant defensive changes with the needed intensity.
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