UNC Tar Heels Basketball Team Continues to Build Their Foundation

by Derrick Clyburn

The Tar Heels basketball team played relentless defense in the first half and moved the ball setting up teammates for easy baskets. UNC doubled up Stanford 52-26 at the break. In the second half, the Tar Heels showed some of their immaturity handling a big lead.

North Carolina got a little stagnant on offense and allowed the Cardinals to get too many easy buckets. Stanford was determined not to go down without a fight. They were much more aggressive on both ends of the court. UNC was able to keep a stiff-arm on the Cardinals not letting the lead get below 15 points. Cam Johnson led all scoring with 17 points and 7 rebounds.

UNC Game Stats

1         2         T

#7 North Carolina      52      38      90

Stanford                         26      46      72

 

North Carolina  FG   3PT   FT    REB  AST STL BLK TO  PF  PTS

1. Maye                     5-9  1-3     5-9     8       3       0       1        1       1       16
2. Brooks                 5-8  0-0     2-2     8       1       0        1       1       3       12
3. Johnson             7-11  3-4     0-1     7         1       0       0      0       0       17
4. Williams             4-6   2-3     2-2     0       4       2       0       1        1       12
5. White                  2-8   0-0     5-6     1       4       1        0       3       2       9
6. Little                   4-10 0-3     0-0     5       0       1       1        1        2       8
7. Huffman           0-1    0-0     0-0     1       0       0       1        0       0       0
8. Manley               2-7   0-0     0-0     5       0       0       1       0       5       4
9. Miller                   0-0  0-0     0-1     1        0       0       0       0       0       0
10. Robinson           1-2   0-0     0-0     1       0       0       0       1        3       2
11. Woods                0-3  0-0     0-0     1       4       0       0       3        1       0
12. Platek                 0-1   0-0     0-0     0       1       0       0       0       0       0
13. K.J. Smith          1-1    0-0     0-0     1       0       0       0       0       0       2
14. Black                  4-4   0-0     0-0     2       1        2       0       1        0       8
15. Ellis                      0-0  0-0     0-0     0       0       1       0       0       0       0

TEAM      35-71   6-13    14-21   45     19      7       5       12     18    90

49.3%   46.2%   66.7%

 

Stanford       FG   3PT   FT   REB AST STL BLK TO   PF   PTS

1. Okpala        6-13  1-2     3-5     9      2       2       1       1        1       16
2. Da Silva      5-11  1-2     0-1     7       3        1       1       3       4       11
3. Sharma      4-5   0-0     1-1     2       0        1       0       1       2       9
4. Davis           2-7   0-1     3-4     2       4       0       1        1       3       7
5. Ryan           4-12 4-11    2-2     5       6       2       0       1       2       14
6. Kisunas     1-1    0-0     0-0     4       0       0       1       0       3       2
7. Delaire       1-6   0-1     0-0     1        0       0       0       2       3       2
8. Stanback  0-1  0-0     0-0     1        0       0       0       0       0       0
9. Herenton  0-1  0-1      0-0     0       0       0       0       0       0       0
10. White         0-1  0-0     0-0     0       0       0       0       0       0       0
11. Wills           2-3  0-0     0-0     1        1        1        1        3       0       4
12. Sheffield  2-6  1-4      2-2     0        1        1        0       2       0       7

TEAM   27-67  7-22  11-15  36    17     8       5       15     18    72

40.3% 31.8% 73.3%

UNC Bright Spots

Cam Johnson continues his hot shooting scoring 17 points and 7 rebounds.

Luke Maye had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Garrison Brooks had 12 points and 8 rebounds.

Kenny Williams had 12 points, 4 assists and 2 steals.

Rechon “Leaky” Black is developing into a surprising quality contributor. He had 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals.

Needs Work

It’s early in the season but UNC needs to keep their intensity up for two halves. They must stop dribble penetration and stay focused when they get big leads.

Final Observations

This looks to be a very deep team with players that can play multiple positions. It is good to see that this years team has many players that can score the ball. Not having to depend on one or two players to carry the load will make this team very difficult to handle. Three games in, there is a foundation being built with the senior leadership and the freshmen and upperclassmen blending their talents and gifts. Each game this team will get better as they define their identity.