The Tar Heels started the night with six men standing on the floor as they sat just moments away from tip off of the Tar Heels second meeting of the season with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Tuesday night was the final game in the Smith Center for Caleb Ellis, Christian Keeling, Robbie O’ Han, Justin Pierce, Brandon Robinson and Shea Rush, all six of whom either started or finished the game in another big win for the Tar Heels.
Brandon Robinson had arguably his best game since returning from his second sprained ankle of the year. Robinson finished the night with 18 points on 6-11 shooting and had a brilliant night from 3-point range, hitting five of the team’s ten threes on the night. He was joined by Garrison Brooks, who, for the third straight game scored, over 20 points to help lead this offense to another scoring outburst. He had an efficient night from the field, going 9-12 from the field on his way to a 25 point, seven rebound performance for the junior big man.
The night belonged to freshman point guard Cole Anthony, however, in what may have very well been his final game in the Smith Center. Anthony continued his improved play, once again having an efficient night from the field, shooting 8-14 from the field and 4-5 from deep to lead the team with 28 points. He had a strong night from the free throw line, getting to the charity stripe eight times and knocking down all eight shots. Anthony also had another fantastic night sharing the basketball, finishing with a team high seven assists and just one turnover.
Behind the backing of Brooks and Anthony, this Tar Heel team is hitting its stride. For the first time all season, the Tar Heels have scored 90+ points in back-to-back games, showing just how much this offense has evolved in the last three games. This team has the one thing that they lacked for a bulk of the season, confidence and it is paying off with wins. It’s still a longshot, but this team just continues to build more momentum as we head towards next week’s ACC Tournament as they try to make a run to a tournament title to make the field of 68.
-Leaky Black had a strong night for the Tar Heels on Tuesday night, making a difference just about everywhere he possibly could. Black finished the game with nine points, eight rebounds, a team high, and five assists while also making some nice hustle plays that won’t show up on the stat sheets.
-The Tar Heels had their best game of the year from behind the arc on Tuesday night. The team shot a combined 58.8 (10-17) from downtown led by Robinson and Anthony’s five and four makes, respectively.
-One shocking stat with how well the Tar Heels played on Tuesday night was the fact that Carolina was outrebounded by three in this game. The Tar Heels ripped down just 31 boards to Wake Forest’s 34, with only Black and Brooks finishing with five or more rebounds.