UNC Basketball: Random Observations Wake Forest Win

UNC Basketball locked in for the final 11 minutes at the Smith Center last night and beat Wake Forest 88-79 last night. These are some random observations. 

I’m not sure if Coach Hubert Davis or a member of his staff read my article about the bench, but there was a clear intentionality in the first half to utilize the bench more.

Here’s my question, there are two 20-minute halves in a college basketball game. Where were the substitutions in the second half?

The first half last night featured a number of players like Jalen Washington, Justin McKoy, Seth Trimble, D’Marco Dunn, and Puff Johson.

The second half was only Trimble and McKoy.

With that said, something interesting happened in the last 11 minutes of the game. With a five on the floor of RJ Davis, Caleb Love, Trimble, Leaky Black, and Armando Bacot, the Tar Heels locked in, defended, got big shots, and created separation.

Did Coach Davis and his staff discover something last night in terms of the closing lineup? I know I like what I saw in terms of energy, cohesiveness, and connectedness.

This team needs a healthy Pete Nance to reach its goals. While the lineup last night was strong down the stretch, make no mistake. Pete Nance is important to everything the Tar Heels hope to achieve this season. Let’s get him healthy.

I still believe that Tyler Nickel is also important to what the Tar Heels want to do this season. Would like to see him get some minutes.

As much as we wring our hands and yell at our TV’s sometimes, the Tar Heels got a quality win against a good Wake Forest team last night. Let’s not forget that.

Bacot had the more quiet 20+ points I can remember.

This team still needs a floor leader. If and when RJ Davis realizes that is the job open and he is the guy for it, will make all the difference in where this UNC Basketball team goes.

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