UNC 112, Belmont Abbey 34: Instant Reaction

Mar 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Providence Friars guard Bryce Cotton (11) shoots against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) in the first half of a men

The North Carolina Tar Heels had themselves quite a night in the Dean E. Smith Center on Friday, beating the Belmont Abbey Crusaders by a final score of 112-34.

In lieu of a game story, how about some reaction and YouTube clips of all the crazy dunks! Some thoughts…

– UNC is going to be an excellent fast break team. In the second half UNC had fast break point after fast break point and it looked like they were just running a fast break drill without a defense. The Heels were very unselfish on the break and almost always finished with an uncontested layup at the hoop. Look for UNC to just absolutely run teams out of the gym this season.

– About the freshman…

Justin Jackson is an excellent basketball player. He is so long yet graceful on the court. He prefers to finish with soft layups at the basket, instead of jamming it home. He is a menance on defense and on the offensive glass and looks like enough of a threat shooting the basketball to keep defenses honest. He is going to be really good for the Tar Heels as the season goes along.

Theo Pinson is an incredible athletic. Look at these dunks!

and

He is going to be a great energy player off the bench and reminds me a bit of another former Tar Heel guard to where #1 — Marcus Ginyard. Pinson is a step more explosive than Ginyard but they are pretty similar. I do want to see Pinson shoot it a bit better from deep. Don’t quote me on this, but I don’t remember him making a three pointer tonight despite attempting a handful.

Joel Berry shot the ball well and looks like a capable backup at the point guard spot. He isn’t ready to start or push Nate Britt for minutes yet, but I think he will develop into an excellent point guard as time goes along.

– Marcus Paige isn’t going to miss a lot this season. That is all I got about him.

– The leading scorers from tonight…

Hicks got his points quitely, because I didn’t see a lot from him. But Meeks looks like a different player all slimmed down after a long offseason of work. He also finished well with lots of easy baskets at the hoop.

Tokoto did Tokoto things tonight, including this incredible dunk…

It will be fun to watch Tokoto this season.

– The Tar Heel defense was about as good as possible tonight. The Heels held Belmont Abbey to 34 points and forced 32 turnovers. Every time the Crusaders took the ball down the court, it was a struggle for Abbey to even get a clean shot off. Every pass was contested and every loose ball was met with a Tar Heel body diving on the floor, even in the blowout. The rim protection was also good. Justin Jackson can protect the rim, along with Brice Johnson and Desmond Hubert. Britt is tough on the perimeter, along with Tokoto and Paige. This will be a really good defensive team.

– Shooting wasn’t a problem tonight for the Tar Heels.

Every time the Crusaders went to zone, the Heels were able to move the ball and hit the three. Free throw shooting was also good.

Overall, excellent win for the Tar Heels! What did you think about the game? Let us know in the comments below!