UNC Basketball Moments After – UNC vs. Dayton 92-90 Win 

UNC Tar Heels Basketball Team Storms Back From a 21-Point Deficit to Defeat the Dayton Flyers in Record Fashion

by Derrick Clyburn

The North Carolina basketball team faced off against the Dayton Flyers in the First Round of the Maui Classic. The Flyers’ game plan was to bully and play very physical with the Tar Heels. It worked out well in the first half. North Carolina committed 12 turnovers which led to 19 first-half points for Dayton. UNC never seemed comfortable in the first half with the Flyers’ aggressive defense overplaying the passing lanes and attacking the rim and kicking it out to the open 3-point shot.

In the second half, the Tar Heels came out with more fire and intensity, but the first 4 minutes didn’t go their way. North Carolina found itself down by 21 points with 17 minutes remaining in the game. Then suddenly it seemed a switch went off and the Tar Heels guards went into attack mode. They attacked the rim, hit 3-pointers, and drew fouls that led to free throws. UNC methodically possession-by-possession cut into the 21-point deficit. RJ Davis and Seth Trimble scored 20 points and 15 points respectively in the second half to bring the Tar Heels all the way back to win the game 92-90.

UNC Game Stats

Final

	1	2	T
DAY	51	39	90
UNC	33	59	92

UNC Bright Spots  

RJ Davis had 30 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. 

Seth Trimble had 27 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. 

Elliott Cadeau had 10 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. 

Jalen Washington had 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. 

Needs Work  

The Tar Heels must do a much better job starting out the game much quicker and with more intensity. Opponents think they can bully the North Carolina players. They must realize that it is everyone’s National Championship game, so they have to stay focused and determined.   

Coach Hubert Davis must do a better job of running plays for the Bigs, incorporating them more in the offense for more than just setting screens and rolling and crashing the offensive glass. This will make teams play more honest on defense. 

Final Observations 

The Tar Heels improve to 4-1 on the season. North Carolina has elite guard play and it was on display in their 21-point comeback. They were in attack mode and put constant pressure on the Flyer defenders. Hubert Davis must find more ways to run plays for the post players so that they can make more of an impact on the offensive end which will make them more dangerous.

The Tar Heels are showing that they play with grit and a no-quit attitude which will allow them to have a chance in every game. They must find a way to be more consistent and put play at a high level for 40 minutes. North Carolina is still learning and growing and players are still figuring out their roles for this season’s team. They must focus on putting two halves together and this team will be even more dominant. Next up is Auburn in the Semi-finals of the Maui Classic at 11 PM on ESPN.