UNC Tar Heels Basketball Team Scrap and Fight to Pull Out the Win Over the Cardinals

by Derrick Clyburn

The North Carolina basketball team won a tough, physical, scrappy game against Louisville on Tuesday night. Road game wins have been tough to come by in the ACC. So when the Tar Heels had their chance they found a way to finish. It was ugly at times down the stretch and in overtime, but UNC overcame the adversity that was in front of them.

North Carolina had all five starters score in double-figures and they all logged heavy minutes including overtime. UNC was hot again from the 3 point line hitting 12-26 from deep for 46.2%. This game felt more like an old Big East battle with the officials allowing the physical play on both sides.

The Tar Heels are now a half-game out of 1st place in the ACC at 8-3. North Carolina was led in scoring by Brady Manek with 24 points and 6 rebounds.

UNC Game Stats

1st     2nd     3rd     TOT

North Carolina 36      38      16      90

Louisville     35      39      9       83

North Carolina

STARTERS	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
A. Bacot F	—	8-15	0-0	3-5	6	16	22	2	3	2	2	4	19
B. Manek F	—	10-18	4-9	0-1	3	3	6	0	0	2	2	0	24
R.J. Davis G	—	6-15	4-8	2-2	0	4	4	5	1	1	2	4	18
C. Love G	—	3-18	1-6	9-10	0	5	5	6	2	0	4	1	16
L. Black G	—	4-4	3-3	2-2	1	4	5	4	1	0	0	2	13
BENCH	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
J. McKoy F	—	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P. Johnson G	—	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0
K. Walton G	—	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
TEAM		31-71	12-26	16-20	11	33	44	18	7	5	10	14	90
		43.7%	46.2%	80.0%

Louisville

STARTERS	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
S. Curry F	—	5-6	0-0	0-1	4	2	6	1	0	2	1	4	10
M. Cross F	—	5-11	3-5	0-0	4	11	15	0	3	0	1	4	13
D. Davis G	—	1-3	1-2	0-2	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	2	3
N. Locke G	—	2-10	2-8	2-2	1	2	3	1	0	0	0	1	8
M. Faulkner G	—	1-2	1-1	2-2	0	3	3	4	0	0	2	0	5
BENCH	MIN	FG	3PT	FT	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
J. Withers F	—	5-9	2-4	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	2	2	5	12
S. Williamson F	—	0-3	0-0	2-2	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	2
G. Wiznitzer C	—	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	3	3	1	0	0	1	3	0
E. Ellis G	—	8-21	5-11	4-4	0	2	2	2	1	0	1	1	25
J. West G	—	1-5	1-4	2-2	0	3	3	3	1	0	2	1	5
TEAM		28-70	15-35	12-15	11	30	41	14	5	4	12	22	83
		40.0%	42.9%	80.0%

UNC Bright Spots

Brady Manek had 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Armando Bacot had 19 points, 22 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 steals.

R.J. Davis had 18 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Caleb Love had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.

Rechon “Leaky” Black had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

Needs Work

The Tar Heels’ on-ball defense still needs to improve especially guarding against the three-point line and against dribble penetration. Their communication on the court calling out screens and with switching needs to improve as well. They need to play the 3 point shot with more urgency. UNC allowed Louisville to hit 15 3 pointers.

The players off the bench need to play better produce more points, and show Coach Davis they can contribute positively on the court. The bench combined for 0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. That’s totally unacceptable.

Final Observations

This North Carolina team is taking it one game at a time. They won a gritty game. Caleb Love needs to stay in the drive and kick mode. He got a little selfish down the stretch taking bad shots and turning the ball over. He needs to play within the team concept to help finish off games.

Again, the Tar Heels are a half-game out of 1st place in the ACC. It hasn’t always been pretty but they have gotten the job done to stay in the top tier of the conference. They are within striking distance of accomplishing one of their goals. Hopefully, they will get Dawson Garcia back soon to help out their frontcourt depth.

Next up Duke at the Dean Dome Saturday at 6 pm.