Heel Tough Blog: East Carolina Recap

@UNCMBBStats

Last night, Carolina concluded non-conference play with a blowout win over ECU, 99-51, to improve to 12-1 for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The two other times UNC started 12-1, they won the national championship (2004-05) and made the Elite Eight (2006-07). They were led once again by Caleb Wilson, and his 21-point, 12-rebound double-double, his ninth as a Tar Heel. With him scoring 21 points, he became the first UNC freshman since Phil Ford to score 20 points or more in 5 straight games. He had help, though, as Henri Veesaar, Seth Trimble, and Luka Bogavac all scored in double figures, on a night where UNC shot 54% from the field and 48% from behind the arc. The 48-point win is the third 40-point win already this season, and is the largest margin of victory this season. 

ECU entered the game overwhelmed, and it certainly looked that way, but they competed with UNC on the glass, losing the rebounding battle 48-42, but winning the battle on the offensive glass, 20-15, which irked Hubert Davis in his postgame availability. Jordan Riley was the main focal point on the UNC scouting report, and UNC limited him to 11 points, on 4-24 shooting, including 0-3 from deep. Carolina’s defense was as good as it’s been all season long, holding ECU to 26% shooting from the field, and 9% from behind the arc. Giovanni Emejuru did give UNC all it could handle, posting a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double in the loss. 

This was the expected result, as UNC entered as 27.5-point favorites, but you still have to give Carolina credit for coming out and playing with a focus and discipline you see right before the holiday break. It was again a display of the commitment this team has and what they are capable of when they flex their muscle. Here’s what to take away from last night’s dominant win over ECU: 

1. Wilson & Henri Dominate: While Caleb Wilson was busy putting his name in the same conversation as Phil Ford, Henri Veesaar was recording his sixth double-double. Last night was the sixth time the duo has recorded a double-double in the same game, already the fourth most by a duo in a single season. Veesaar set a new career-high, with four made threes, and he’s now shooting 50% from behind the arc. He’s averaging nearly 17 points per game, while shooting 64% from the field, and 50% from behind the arc, as mentioned above. He’s been as equally impressive as Wilson, which has helped form the best frontcourt duo in the ACC and the country. 

2. Luka Bounces Back: After back-to-back subpar games, Bogavac responded with a 15-point game, on 5-9 shooting, including 1-3 from behind the arc. With Trimble back, UNC now has three double-digit scorers, but they need a fourth if they want to emerge as national title contenders. He was great last night in the pick-and-roll, attacking the basket, and finishing at the rim. If he can become a consistent scorer, especially from the outside, it’ll elevate UNC’s offense into contention. 

3. Perimeter Shooting: Hubert Davis believes his team can shoot the basketball better than they have, and last night was the reason why. Carolina shot 48% from the outside, on 12 makes, with 8 different players making at least one threes. Veesaar led the way, going 4-5 from deep, UNC starters combined to go 7-14 from deep, with Evans, Trimble, and Bogavac all adding makes alongside Veesaar. Add in Jonathan Powell’s 2-5 shooting, and all of Carolina’s best perimeter shooters were able to connect from long range last night. The neatest moment of the night came when Elijah Davis, son of head coach Hubert Davis, hit a three-pointer in the final minute, drawing the biggest praise from the Tar Heel fans and the UNC bench, causing Hubert to get emotional in his postgame press conference. 

4. Special Teams: Carolina was dominant in the secondary categories last night, winning points of turnover (26-9), second chance points (16-8), bench points (32-15), points in the paint (40-30), and fast break points, (17-0), which was the perfect recipe for a blowout win over an overmatched opponent.  

5. Big Minutes Off the Bench: With the game out of hand at the half, it allowed Hubert Davis to play 16 different Tar Heels, and get extended minutes for James Brown, Jaydon, Isaiah Denis, and others. With Denis scoring 6 points, many fans want more of him on the court, but his body is a year away from being able to withstand the physicality of ACC competition. Jaydon Young played 10 minutes last night, and he has quietly developed a role off the bench, with his energy on defense, in addition to being a capable outside shooter and secondary ball handler. High Point transfer Ivan Matlekovic scored his first points as a Tar Heel, in addition to points from Ejijad Davis and Evan Smith. 

6. Home Dominance: UNC finishes non-conference play with an undefeated mark of 9-0, with big wins over Kansas and Georgetown. Their average margin of victory at home is 22.7.

7. House Cleaning: The best part about last night’s blowout win is that Hubert Davis can still pick out some areas that need to be improved, mainly the free-throw shooting and the offensive rebounds conceded to the opponent. Carolina was just 19-30 from the foul line, for an uneven 63% shooting. Furthermore, they allowed 20 offensive rebounds, which wasn’t too costly, but that can’t carry over into league play, which begins after the Christmas break. 

Up Next: Carolina is off for the next 8 days, with their next game set for December 30th at home against Florida State, in the ACC opener. Tip is set for 7 PM on ESPN2. 

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