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CHAPEL HILL — Hubert Davis summed up the problems that he must fix after the loss at SMU in one word: defense. That was the starting point for everything the No. 17 Tar Heels focused on last week, as Davis said they “worked on us” for most of the week before preparing for Saturday’s 6 p.m. home game (ACC Network) against Wake Forest.
Here’s a look at No. 17 North Carolina’s pursuit of the program’s 500th Smith Center victory, facing Wake Forest.
In the four games since Seth Trimble’s return, North Carolina’s rotation has begun to crystallize. Trimble, Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar are obviously the leaders on both ends of the court. They are the only players who have scored at least 20 points this season for the No. 17 Tar Heels and will determine their ceiling.
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.
Caleb Love arrived in the NBA without the fanfare of a draft-night celebration, without the guarantee of a roster spot, and without the job security most rookies enjoy. The Portland Trail Blazers gave him a chance, and a two-way contract, and he’s rewarded them with the best stretch games among undrafted rookies in the league.
When UNC coach Hubert Davis watched video of the Tar Heels’ 97–83 loss Saturday at SMU, the defensive breakdowns jumped out for him.
The final week of the regular season meant MVP candidate Drake Maye didn’t play the entire game, and reserves around the league got plenty of playing time. Taking advantage of the latter were Mitch Trubisky, British Brooks and Alijah Huzzie.
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.
DALLAS — SMU lived from downtown Dallas, and North Carolina was helpless to stop the 3-pointer from coming or get Caleb Wilson involved down the stretch.
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.
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