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UNC Basketball: Berry, Jackson named NBC Sports Co-Players of the Week

By Blake Cockrum

Nov 23, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; From left to right North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44), guard Joel Berry II (2), and guard Kenny Williams (24) wait to check into the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Championship Game of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA; From left to right North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44), guard Joel Berry II (2), and guard Kenny Williams (24) wait to check into the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Championship Game of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNC’s Joel Berry II, Justin Jackson honored by NBC Sports

North Carolina juniors Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson were named Co-Players of the Week by NBC Sports on Monday morning for their performances last week in wins against Wake Forest and Florida State.

On Wednesday night against the Demon Deacons, Berry posted 18 points, seven assists and three rebounds. He committed just one turnover in 33 minutes of play. On Saturday against No. 9 Florida State, he led all scorers with 26 points.

NCAA Basketball: North Carolina at Hawaii
For the week, he shot 15-of-31 from the floor, including 5-of-12 from three-point range and 9-for-11 from the free throw line. /

Jackson, North Carolina’s leading scorer this season, led the Tar Heels with 19 points against Wake Forest. He also recorded eight rebounds, two blocks and an assist in a tight game that came down to the wire late in the second half. Against the Seminoles, he had 22 points and some clutch plays down the stretch that helped the Tar Heels close out the game in Chapel Hill.

Through the two games last week, Jackson hit 15-of-30 shots from the floor, including six of his 10 attempts from long-range. He also made 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.

Berry and Jackson have performed admirably this season, causing many to question if they are UNC’s best shooting duo ever. To this point, both players are shooting over 40 percent from three-point range and rank first and second on the team in scoring.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) drives against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) drives against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /

Jackson has shown incredible improvement for a player who shot just 29.7 percent from long-range in his first two seasons at North Carolina. And Berry, UNC’s unquestioned leader on the court, is hitting a remarkable 42.7 percent from three and 91.2 percent from the free-throw line.

North Carolina is one of the best offensive units in the country, particularly when Berry and Jackson are at their best. They’re also the biggest reason that many believe that UNC is not only a Final Four contender, but a favorite as well.

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