UNC Basketball Moments After – UNC VS NC State 97-73 Win

UNC Tar Heels Basketball Team Puts the Hammer Down on the Wolfpack in the 1st Half and Cruises to Victory

by Derrick Clyburn

The North Carolina basketball team faced off against the NC State Wolfpack on a snowy Wednesday night. The Tar Heels played with effort, energy, and passion for the first time in over 2 months. They played like they cared. The defense was phenomenal in the first half as they created nine turnovers by trapping, pressing, and contesting the passing lanes.

UNC was hot from the field shooting over 56% and assisting 11 times on 19 field goals. They moved without the ball and passed the ball to the open man for easy baskets. This was one of their best games since December. North Carolina’s defense led by the trap and press allowed them to go on an 18-8 run and they never looked back. They cruised to half-time with a 28-point lead 54-26.

In the second, the Tar Heels took their foot off the gas a little bit and allowed the Wolfpack to hit a few easy baskets to cut into the lead, but the Heels never allowed them to get below 20 points. The defense continued to cause the Wolfpack problems and Carolina would not let up on offense. They pushed the ball up the court with tempo on the opponent’s makes and misses. The Tar Heels continued to stay hot shooting 57.4% from the field for the game and rolled to a 97-73 win. UNC had 4 players in double-figures led by RJ Davis with 21 points and 5 assists.

UNC Game Stats

Final

	1	2	T
NCSU	26	47	73
UNC	54	43	97

UNC Bright Spots

 RJ Davis had 21 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, and, 2 steals. 

Seth Trimble had 15 points, 7 rebounds, and, 1 steal. 

Ven-Allen Lubin had 13 points and 5 rebounds. 

Ian Jackson had 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. 

Needs Work  

The Tar Heels took their foot off the gas a little in the second half but never allowed the Wolfpack to get any hope. They have to continue to stay focused and concentrate on the little things.

The Heels must also be better from the free-throw line. On most of their trips to the line, they are making one of two free throws, and they are a much better free throw shooting team than what they have shown over the last few games. Their free-throw line struggles allow teams to hang around instead of helping them close out games sooner. 

Final Observations 

The Tar Heels improve to 16-11 on the season. They have a chance to close the season out on a high note if they can continue to bring the energy, effort, and intensity that they brought in the first half against the Wolfpack. They created and dictated the tempo by playing to their strength which is using their speed and quickness causing havoc all over the court on both ends of the floor. North Carolina’s defense can be very disruptive if Coach Hubert uses it in the right way.

This was a game where they actually put their opponent away in the first half. We haven’t seen that often this season. It looks like this team is starting to have fun and play for each other. The chemistry has been a lot better in the last couple of games. Hopefully, they are turning the corner and realize what they need to do to start and finish games. Next up is Virginia on Saturday at 4 pm on ESPN2.