UNC Basketball: Random Observations Ohio State Win

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 89-84 in overtime during the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 89-84 in overtime during the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball traveled to New York for the CBS Sports Classic versus a tough Ohio State team and pulled off a stunning 89-84 overtime win. 

This time of year people usually reflect on all the things that happened throughout the past 12 months. Did anyone else get 2022 NCAA Tournament vibes from yesterday’s massive UNC Basketball 89-84 win versus Ohio State?

This one had it all but I want to highlight the final two seconds.

First off, for all of us that wring our hands when UNC head coaches don’t call timeouts, Coach Hubert Davis had two in his pocket with 2 seconds left and he needed them both. Without those timeouts, the Tar Heels are likely taking a desperation shot and losing that game.

Ohio State doesn’t guard the inbound (think NFL prevent defense) and Leaky Black is able to inbound it to RJ Davis for a quick timeout and very little time off the clock.

In previous articles, I have mentioned the failure of this year’s team to execute offensive sets and after-time-outs (ATOs). What they did yesterday took perfection. The play, the pass, the catch, the gather, the shot. All had to be perfect and they were.

Pete Nance has missed several open looks throughout the game but he made the one that mattered the most.

Three-point shooting continues to be a struggle. The Tar Heels were just 6-28 for an icy 21.4%. Honestly, if they could just push that to even 30-35%, it will change everything.

Credit focus and toughness for finishing the game with the rebounding advantage of 48-42. UNC didn’t have that advantage at halftime and they needed all of them in the second half.

Armando Bacot believes he’s around 70% right now. Yesterday he showed why he is critical of whatever UNC Basketball is going to do this year. Imagine if he is at a full 100% healthy!

I will leave with this tweet from our friend and contributor Isaac Schade. He said it best.

Next. North Carolina Outlasts Ohio State In Overtime. dark

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