It’s do or die for Carolina Basketball today, as they face off against #18 UCLA in the annual CBS Sports Classic. It’s only December 21st sure, but the Tar Heels are 6-5, they are 0-4 against ranked competition, and have only one signature win on their resume so far, and we all know there aren’t many to make up during ACC play. Earlier this week, Carolina lost to #7 Florida, 90-84, blowing a four-point lead, with four minutes left to play. In three of their five losses this season, Carolina has held the lead with less than three minutes left in the game and failed to close out the opponent.
The Bruins are bringing with them, a 10-1 record so far this season, and have earned wins against power conference competition in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. They are among the best defensive teams in the country, allowing the 5th fewest points in the sport, the 5th fewest made field goals, and the 9th fewest made two-point field goals as well. They only have two players averaging double-figures scoring, but they have a handful of capable scorers on the roster, and with the way that they defend, they don’t need to score like other teams have to.
In the loss to Florida on Tuesday night, Carolina once again found itself down double digits in the first half, trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half. It marked the sixth time they’ve trailed by double digits in the first half of a game this season and the third time they’ve trailed by 17 in the first half. Hubert Davis warned his team after the comeback win over Dayton that the style of play wasn’t sustainable, and he’s been proven right, with all the losses that have followed since then. With as well as UCLA plays defense, this will be the hardest team to mount a comeback against so far this season.
There aren’t many times Carolina is fighting for its season before Christmas, but here we are. With all the expectations entering the season, the frustration is starting to mount for the coaches, the players, and obviously the fans. A win today wouldn’t cure all of that, but it would make everyone feel better going into the holiday break. Here’s how Carolina can secure a much-needed win today against UCLA:
Generate Easy Points: UNC leads the ACC in scoring at over 85 points per game, but don’t expect them to reach that scoring plateau today. UCLA is going to make this a half-court game and make UNC earn every bucket they get. With that in mind, the Tar Heels have to generate easy scoring chances whether it’s in transition, off turnovers, or whenever they happen to grab an offensive rebound. Converting on foul shots will be as important today as in any game so far this season because you have to capitalize on scoring when the clock stops. The easier Carolina can make scoring today, the better chance they have of winning.
Secure Defensive Rebounds: Carolina played defense well enough in the second half, to get the win over Florida, but their inability to secure defensive rebounds proved costly. The Gators scored 17 second-chance points in the second half alone, including 11 in the final 6:30. The good news is that UCLA doesn’t have the size that Florida has, and on paper, Carolina is the better rebounding team, but that still means you have to execute, and grabs the ball when it comes off the rim.
Execute Down the Stretch: The track record of this season would lead you to believe that this will be a close game, at the final media timeout in the second half. That means Carolina has to execute better. Against Florida, Carolina was 1-4 from the foul line in the final four minutes, turned it over multiple times, and missed clean looks from the perimeter. Hubert Davis has drawn a lot of criticism, but at some point, the players have to execute on the court. The experience of this group hasn’t shown up in a tight game against power conference competition this season, let’s hope that changes today.
Series History:
Carolina is 11-3 against UCLA all-time, having won the last six games, and the last 10 of 11. The last time they played, Caleb Love led the way in a 73-66 win, that sent UNC to the Elite Eight, on their way to the Final Four.
UNC in the CBS Sports Classic:
Carolina is 6-4 all-time in the CBS Sports Classic, including being 3-0 against the Bruins. Their only losses in the event, have come against the Kentucky Wildcats. ]
UNC in NYC:
The Tar Heels are 44-26 all-time in New York City, but they are 30-12, in this iteration of Madison Square Garden. This is the third straight season that the program will play a game in MSG.
KenPom:
North Carolina - 30th overall. Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 118.1 (24th) Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 98.7 (44th)
UCLA - 12th overall. Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 114.0 (55th) Adjusted Defensive Efficiency: 91.4 (4th)
NET:
North Carolina - 46th.
UCLA - 12th.
TV Info:
Today’s game will tip at 3 PM on CBS.
The Four Corners Podcast:
Comments