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UNC Basketball: Tar Heels Run Out of Steam in PK80 Final

By Alec Lasley

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels yells out to his team during the first half of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels yells out to his team during the first half of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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The Tar Heels play their worst game of the year and lose to the Spartans of Michigan State.

In what was the North Carolina Tar Heel’s first real test of the season, they didn’t show up for the occasion as they were defeated by Michigan State 63-45.

The Tar Heels, who had more turnovers than field goals in the first half – 11 to 7, were never able to get anything going against the tough Spartans squad as they shot a program-worst 25 percent.

Whether it was missing wide open layups, getting blocked at the rim on multiple occasions, or having many careless turnovers, Carolina failed to find any rhythm on the offensive end, as they missed 13 layups and finished with 16 turnovers.

Even with Jaren Jackson and Miles Bridges out for most of the first half with foul trouble, the Spartans continued to grow the lead and ramp up the pressure. They were led by Joshua Langford who had 14 of his career-high 23 points in the first half, pacing Michigan State all night long.

If anything showed coach Roy Williams’ frustration with the performance of the Heels, it was when he subbed in walk-on forward Aaron Rohlman in the first half.

The big storyline for the Tar Heels heading into the season was the inexperience of the frontcourt, and against their toughest test all year, the bigs of Carolina were totally outmatched.

Controlling the paint from the opening tip, Michigan State finished with seven blocks and 14 offensive rebounds, outrebounding the Tar Heels 52-36.

Led by Nick Ward, his strength pushed around the likes of Sterling Manley and Garrison Brooks all game. He would finish with seven points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, although his impact was felt much more than what the stats showed.

Coming into the game, the Tar Heels were shooting 41 percent from three but greatly undershot that tonight, finishing with a 5.6 field goal percentage from behind the arc (1-of-18).

Carolina was led by Theo Pinson who had 16 points and six rebounds.

Joel Berry and Luke Maye struggled all night long as they combined for just 15 points on 5-of-24 from the field.

Kenny Williams was unable to get going all night as he finished with just eight points.

Miles Bridges added 11 for the Spartans.

Related Story: Luke Maye Makes Carolina History in PK80

The Tar Heels end the PK80 Invitational with a 2-1 record and face another Big Ten opponent in their next game on Wed Nov 29, as they take on Michigan in Chapel Hill.

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