UNC Tar Heels Basketball Team Takes a Step Backward in the Loss to Clemson

by Derrick Clyburn

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The North Carolina basketball team played one of their worst games of the season with a season low 50 points for the game. They reverted back to turning the ball over (17 times) and not moving without the ball. The Tar Heels made it easy for the Tigers to defend by their stagnant offense and lack of movement.

UNC is really struggling from the free throw line. They were shooting 50% in the last three games. The first half determine the game. The Tar Heels couldn’t stop dribble penetration or check the 3 point shot which allow the Tigers to lead by as much as 16 points.

UNC Game Stats

1	2	T
North Carolina	21	29	50
Clemson		33	30	63

North Carolina
		Pts	FG	3FG	FT	REB	A	TO	Min	+/-
1 BLACK		3	1-1	0-0	1-2	3	1	2	21	-3
2 LOVE		9	2-10	1-6	4-4	7	1	4	30	-8
5 BACOT		1	0-1	0-0	1-2	3	0	2	19	14
15 BROOKS	8	4-10	0-1	0-1	9	1	1	34	-8
24 WALTON	9	3-7	3-6	0-0	1	1	1	23	-2
0 HARRIS	0	0-3	0-3	0-0	2	1	1	14	10
3 PLATEK	4	1-1	1-1	1-2	1	0	2	20	12
4 DAVIS		0	0-3	0-2	0-0	2	2	1	12	-4
11 SHARPE	16	6-8	0-0	4-10	8	1	3	24	-2
13 KESSLER	0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	3	-2
TOTALS		50	17-44	5-19	11-21	38	8	17	200	
			38.6%	26.3%	52.4%

Clemson
		Pts	FG	3FG	FT	REB	A	TO	Min	+/-
0 TRAPP		14	6-13	1-3	1-3	9	2	0	35	10
4 HONOR		6	2-7	2-5	0-0	3	0	1	27	11
5 TYSON		16	5-11	2-5	4-4	4	1	0	26	8
12 HEMENWAY	2	1-4	0-2	0-0	2	1	1	24	6
25 SIMMS	10	4-10	1-3	1-1	6	6	1	35	10
1 BAEHRE	2	1-2	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	4	5
2 DAWES		7	3-6	1-3	0-0	0	1	3	17	6
3 HUNTER	3	1-3	1-2	0-0	1	1	0	17	6
10 PROSPER	3	0-1	0-1	3-4	0	0	0	10	0
24 HALL		0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	1	5	3
TOTALS		63	23-57	8-24	9-12	28	12	7	200	
			40.4%	33.3%	75.0%

UNC Bright Spots

Day’Ron Sharpe had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist.

Needs Work

The Tar Heels guards must do a better job of getting the team into their offense. They must cut down on the turnovers and over-dribbling of the basketball. There is also entirely too much standing around and passing around the perimeter without any purpose. They need to not force the ball inside when double teams come.

The bigs struggled to score around the rim in this game, which is surprising. They must be better in that area because that is the strength of this team.

The UNC defense needs to get much better. They must have more energy and effort on that side of the floor. They need to communicate better and make sure they are not allowing straight-line drives and wide-open threes to their opponent.

Final Observations

It looks like the Tar Heels took Clemson for granted. They didn’t play with the energy or effort to put away a struggling squad. They returned to their old bad habits that stumped them in December. Roy needs to get the team refocused for the final stretch. This was a disappointing loss because they looked unsure of themselves when they should be making strides. Up next is Duke. Hopefully, they will bounce back and play to their strengths.