UNC Basketball: Tar Heels defense turning the corner

The Tar Heels used their defense to spark a 20-0 run on Monday, bringing energy to the team and the crowd. Is this a turning point for them?

Buying in on the defensive end of the floor has always been an issue for Roy Williams’ coached Carolina teams, and once again it has been an issue this season, until recently.

Ranked 17th in KenPom’s rankings for adjusted defensive efficiency, the Tar Heels are giving up 92.5 points per 100 possessions.

After falling behind by nine points early in Monday’s game against Virginia Tech, stemming from the Hokies’ hot start on the offensive end, going 6-for-6 from three to start, the Tar Heels clamped down on the defensive end, sparking a 20-0 run to blow the game open.

The Tar Heels forced six turnovers in 10 possessions by using its length and athleticism in the passing lanes and on the perimeter.

Getting their hands in the passing lanes and leading out in transition helped the Heels get into an even better offensive rhythm, something they have struggled with at times this season, looking stagnant in the half court.

Nassir Little told InsideCarolina after the game that defense was the spark for the run.

"“I think [it was] us on defense,” freshman Nassir Little offered as the reason for the run’s spark. “I think the bigs really came in and really lifted things up. I came in and I think I really brought a lot of energy to the team and got a seal on the dunk. I think from then we kind of kept rolling and things got bigger.”"

Over the course of the run, the Tar Heels contested every shot, forcing the Hokies to go 0-for-6 from the floor, including 0-for-2 from three.

Carolina kept up the defensive pressure to start the second half as well, going on a 10-2 run four minutes in, holding the Hokies without a field goal for over three minutes, with the only two points coming from the free throw line.

Since ACC play has started, the Tar Heels have lowered their foul percentage and increased their steal percentage, a mix that bodes well for defensive efficiency.

In their last three conference games, the Heels have a foul to field goal attempt ratio (FT/FGA) of 0.21 and steals percentage of 10.1, compared to 0.27 FT/FGA and 8.8 steals percentage in their first three ACC games.

We see just how good this team can be when they are playing with energy and passion on the defensive end, but it is about them maintaining it during the course of a game, or a couple of games, that they must continue to do.