There were a couple positive takeaways from UNC’s narrow 88-82 win over Syracuse on Saturday night, but arguably the biggest one is Ian Jackson’s return to his earlier season form.
Jackson didn’t start, but was subbed into the contest about five minutes into the first half. At the time, the Heels held a 5-4 lead and looked generally out of sync on offense. Jackson immediately injected life into the game, hitting a three pointer on his first shot. He would finish the first half with 16 points as the Heels built an eight point lead, one that the Orange would repeatedly narrow but never truly overcome.