Heel Tough Blog: Virginia Recap

@UNCMBBStats

With a big second half, the Tar Heels secured their biggest win of the ACC season, taking down Virginia, 85-80, to improve to 16-4 and 4-3 in the ACC. Carolina trailed by as many as 16 points late in the first half, but made it a 9-point game, with two late threes in the first half. That set the scene for the best second half that Carolina has played since the Kansas win, outscoring the Cavaliers, 51-37 in the final 20 minutes, to secure their second straight win in Charlottesville, after a decade of doom in John Paul Jones Arena. Carolina’s offense was efficient over the final 20 minutes, shooting 63% from the field and 45% from behind the arc, on 5 makes. The main source of the offensive attack wasn’t Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, or Seth Trimble, but instead it was reserve Jarin Stevenson. Stevenson scored all of his 17 points in the second half, shooting 6-9 from the field, with 2-4 shooting from behind the arc. To make the performance even better, he scored those 17 points in 12 minutes. He was one of two UNC reserves to score in double figures, as Luka Bogavac added 14 points, going 3-5 from behind the arc. They had help from the starters, though, as Caleb Wilson led the way with 20 points, on 8-12 shooting, Seth Trimble scored 16, on 5-6 shooting, and Derek Dixon, who scored 11 points, making big shots down the stretch. 

After the way the game started, it looked like UNC was going to get run out of the gym, as they trailed 10-2 at the first media timeout, on their way to building a 16-point lead. During the course of the game, UVA would go on four separate 7-0 runs or bigger, including going on a 9-0 run, to take a 71-67 lead. But Carolina responded with an 8-1 run to take back control of the game, before a late bucket from Claeb Wilson, in a set play coming out of a timeout, secured the win for Carolina, who failed to put the game away at the foul line. 

Just like on Wednesday with Notre Dame, Carolina’s perimeter defense tightened up in the second half, helping fuel today’s comeback. The Cavaliers were 6-15 from outside in the first half, but went just 2-12 in the second half, allowing Carolina to run off misses and create some easy points in transition. So, after allowing their first five ACC opponents to make at least 12 three pointers, their last two opponents have made 8 each, and after Notre Dame shot 32% on Wednesday, UVA shot 30% today. 

After a rough road trip out in California last week, the Tar Heels have suddenly won back-to-back games, going into a week off. For as bad as the feelings were this time a week ago, Carolina is 16-4, and in position to compete for a top-four spot in the ACC. Here’s what to take away from the road win at Virginia. 

1. Second Half Rally: The 16-point deficit is the biggest road comeback in John Paul Jones Arena, and now gives this team confidence that they are never out of a game. While Stevenson was the hero, they got big contributions from Caleb Wilson, Seth Trimble, and Derek Dixon to help lead the way back. They combined to help Carolina shot 63% from the field, and 45% from behind the arc, and 73% from the foul line. Carolina rallied at Cal but fell short, but they were able to complete the comeback today, giving them back-to-back wins in JPJ, after a decade of losses had piled up. 

2. Derek Dixon Continues to Grow: It was Dixon’s third game in the starting lineup, and it was his third straight game scoring in double figures, scoring 11 points. Today he set a new career-high, with 7 assists, including some transition assists to Stevenson and Wilson, that secured easy points at the front of the rim, when UNC was making their push in the second half. Dixon played 18 minutes in the second half and 33 minutes for the game, as he has taken firm hold of the starting point guard spot. The more comfortable hegets as a starter, the more that Hubert Davis can put on his plate, but it’s safe to say that Carolina has found their point guard of the future. 

3. Stevenson Steps Up: There’s not a greater example of a player buying into his role on this roster than Jarin Stevenson, who has started a handful of games and has come off the bench just as many. But no matter what’s been asked of Stevenson, he has answered the call, and today he got rewarded for his defense by making a bunch of shots in the comeback. Stevenson scored at a high level in the loss at SMU, but today was able to contribute in a win. 

4. Improved Perimeter Defense: Back-to-back games, UNC has struggled to defend the perimeter, but was able to tighten things up in a big way in the second half. UVA was 6-15 from deep in the first half, but went just 2-12 in the second half. The presence of Jarin Stevenson helped in a big way, as he was able to close out on open shooters and force them to put the ball on the floor and drive the basket. They also did a much better job, finding the trail man in transition, and communicating on ball screens. After allowing the first five ACC opponents to make at least 12 threes and shoot well above 40%, UNC has held back-to-back opponents to 8 made triples each, with both teams shooting 32% or worse.  

5. More History For Wilson: With his 20 points today, Wilson has now tied Tyler Hansbrough for the most 20-point games as a UNC freshman. Today, Wilson scored his 20 points, on 8-12 shooting, with 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. He scored his final bucket on a great ATO set, which saw Wilson hit a tough shot, to give UNC an 83-79 lead, which basically sealed the game. With 11 games left in ACC play, Wilson is going to set the record he tied today, as he’s continuing to have as great a season as we’ve seen a freshman have in the history of the program, and one of the best seasons we’ve seen a freshman have in the ACC. 

6. Rebounding: There aren’t many times you’ll see a team be negative 16 in the rebounding department and be able to win the game, but that’s what happened today, as UNC lost the battle of the boards, 44-28, but still won the game. They gave up 16 offensive rebounds, which led to 17 second-chance points for UVA, but Carolina was able to overcome that. Heading into the week off, you know this will be a point of emphasis for Hubert Davis and the coaching staff. In the last two games, UNC has given up 34 offensive rebounds, which isn’t sustainable for the ACC games still to be played. 

Up Next: UNC is off until next Saturday, when they travel to Georgia Tech.