UNC Basketball – Random Observations – Alabama Loss

UNC Basketball leaves Portland with two losses after losing the third-place game to Alabama in a 4 overtime thriller. 

I don’t know who is calling the After Time Out (ATO’s) plays but either they are not creative enough or the team is not executing them properly. Likely a little of both.

There is no action on the offensive end of the floor. The Carolina staple of playing through the post is no longer happening. This could be a function of the double and triple teams that Armando Bacot is commanding. It could be a complete change in philosophy.

Another thing missing from the Carolina playbook is the surprise trapping at half-court after a time-out. Roy Williams was known to do that at random times throughout a game. How many times did we see that become the spark of a sustained run? The Tar Heels need that back.

The book is out now that the offense is simply a screen up top and either RJ Davis or Caleb Love is going to drive or create their own shot.

The screener at the top, usually Bacot is not an offensive threat at the top of the key. The roll leaves him vulnerable to charges and turnovers handling the pass on the roll.

The “Iron Five” was a thing last season but not something that we anticipated this season. It’s early but there is not a lot of development coming off the bench.

It will be interesting to see the effects of a long game tonight and a late return back to Chapel Hill. With a tough game looming in Indiana on Wednesday night. Legs will be tired. Jump shots might be short.

The health of Bacot and Leaky Black will be something to keep an eye on over the next few days as well.

Good things happen when Puff Johnson is on the floor.

Coach Hubert Davis might have found something, almost by accident, with Pete Nance coming off the bench. He was more athletic around the basket blocking shots and Johnson causes things to happen.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier. Tar Heels need to start to figure things out and do it on the fly.

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