Head coach Hubert Davis was visibly disappointed in the result of the fifth consecutive loss to Kansas but had some good takeaways from the early-season challenge.
He noted that the defense improved to rally from 20 points down in the second half, with pressure and physicality being ratcheded up to make stops. Also, the offense committed only four turnovers in the second half
He said they had talked before the game about “playing defense before you play defense,” and too many times Hunter Dickinson got the ball right under the basket for an easy score.
Hubert talked about his love for competing and how UNC will get a chance for a revenge game back at the Dean Dome next year
He commented that Jae’Lyn Withers did a great job of giving them a rolling presence to the rim, has built his confidence in his shot and that should help the offense having a big man thet can pop out and shoot the three
When asked about the three guard offense struggling from the perimeter, he said when shots aren’t falling for the guards, they’ve talked about things you can bring every day like defense, rebounding, energy, effort, attention to detail, attacking the basket, getting to the free throw line
Hubert closed it out by saying it’s not about physical size so much as the size of your heart, the will and want-to and the Heels fought and scrapped better in the second hal Plus, getting stops on defense allowed them to get good looks and attack on the offensive end
We knew it was gonna be a huge challenge, but you can’t deny the Heels toughed it our and made it scary for the #1 team in the country in a true road game at the start of the season.