For the third straight game, Carolina led from start to finish, this time in an 81-66 win over Virginia, as UNC has now won three straight games, 4 of their last 5, and is now 17-11, and 10-6 in the ACC on the season. Four starters scored in double figures today, led by Jae’Lyn Withers, and his team-high 16 points. Ian Jackson also scored 16 points off the bench, and the other starters to reach double figures included Ven-Allen Lubin (14), RJ Davis (12), and Drake Powell (11). Carolina shot 48% from the field, but a season-best, 57% from behind the arc, on nine makes. To complete the offensive performance, Carolina capitalized at the foul line, going 18-22, as Carolina completely overpowered the overmatched Cavaliers, who found themselves down 21-2 in the game’s opening sequence.
As well as Carolina played offensively, they got after Virginia defensively, holding UVA to 45% shooting from the field, and just 27% from the foul line. All those misses allowed UNC to control the glass right from the tip, on their way to outrebounding Virginia, 35-21. The bigger lineup once again allowed Carolina to hit the offensive glass, and they did that, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds, turning them into 17 second-chance points.
As mentioned above, Carolina got off to a 21-2 start, and it looked like it was going to be a blowout city in Chapel Hill. That changed for a short period of time, as Jalen Washington was called for a flagrant one foul, after hitting a UVA player in the face, while fighting for position on the low block. That breathed life into Virginia, who made it a 21-6 game, and then Jae’Lyn Withers was called for a technical foul, after talking to the Virginia bench after he made a three, to quickly make a 24-9 game, a 24-16 margin. Nonetheless, Carolina still controlled the game from start to finish, and if it wasn’t for two questionable foul calls, who knows how big the margin of victory could’ve been for UNC.
For the first time this, it appears that Carolina is improving from game to game, and after a third straight win, has built legitimate momentum. It couldn’t have come at a better time, with the team having to win its way to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, likely needing a win over Duke in the regular season finale to ensure they hear their name called on Selection Sunday. For as much adversity this team has faced on and off the court, you have to give them credit for fighting through it, and not throwing in the towel, which seemed likely after blowout losses at Duke and at Clemson. Today’s win was the fifth in the last seven games against Virginia and was the second win, in this three-game in five days stretch.
Jae’Lyn Withers: What a revelation Jae’Lyn Withers has been for UNC since being inserted into the starting lineup two weeks ago, and today he turned in his best performance of the season, totaling a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double. He has brought an edge to Carolina defensively, and on the boards, all while shooting the three-ball very well, as he was 4-6 from deep today. When Brady Manek got hot, and fueled Carolina’s run to the Final Four four years ago, it started in February when he got put in the starting lineup. It would be a stretch to compare Withers to Manek, but his impact on this team has been noticeable and may have been the move that ultimately salvages the season.
Perimeter Shooting: Carolina stayed hot from deep, going 9-16 from behind the arc, despite RJ going 0-4. Withers led the team, going 4-6, but Ian Jackson stayed hot as well, going 3-3, as he scored 16 points off the bench. More importantly, Cade Tyson saw another three-pointer go in, making him 3 of his last 4. Had Carolina shot like this from the jump, they wouldn’t be in the position they are currently in, but right now, they are helping take the pressure off of RJ Davis, who hasn’t completely broken out of his shooting slump from the outside.
Rebounding: Carolina won the rebounding battle 35-21, and that was after jumping out to a 16-3 margin at the under-8 timeout of the first half. Withers not only led Carolina in scoring, but he also led them in rebounding, grabbing 11 boards, and putting together his second double-double of the season. The bigger lineup has made Carolina better equipped to control the glass the way we are used to, and it has helped them impose their will on the offensive glass, as they grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, and scored 17 second-chance points.
Perimeter Defense: Virginia entered the game, shooting 38% as a team. Today? They were just 6-22 from behind the arc. Isaac McKneelty, their best three-point shooter, was just 2-7.
Free Throws: Not only did Carolina get to the foul line, they converted on their freebies, going 18-22. That’s how RJ Davis got into double figures, as he was 6-7 from the foul line. Every starter made at least two foul shots today, to help put together a complete offensive performance.
Points in the Paint: On Wednesday night, Carolina scored 52 of their 97 points in the paint. Today they scored 36 of their 81 points in the paint. Even with the bigger lineup, there are still driving lines for the guards to attack, but their size has allowed them to generate more second-chance scoring opportunities as well, at or near the rim.
Turnovers: Another reason the game got close momentarily in the first half was because of turnovers, as UNC turned it over 8 times, leading to 12 UVA points. Overall, Carolina turned it over 10 times, leading to 14 points for the opponent.
Up Next: It’s a quick turnaround for Carolina, who plays again on Monday at Florida State, in the final Saturday/Monday turnaround of the season. Tip is set for 7 PM, on ESPN’s coverage of “Big Monday”.