Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Standing Up For Each Other

By Aaron Conrad

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 07: Puff Johnson #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels crashes into the photographers after being fouled during the second half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Dean E. Smith Center on January 07, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 07: Puff Johnson #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels crashes into the photographers after being fouled during the second half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Dean E. Smith Center on January 07, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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UNC Basketball won a game against Notre Dame 81-64 at the Smith Center that featured another tense moment.

The UNC Basketball program won a game they were supposed to win versus Notre Dame by a score of 81-64. There was a moment in the game that has happened at other times throughout this season that needs to be talked about.

With 7:24 left in the second half and the Tar Heels locking in on defense, freshman Seth Trimble got a rebound and immediately passed it ahead to Puff Johnson. Puff dunked it at the other end and was hit by Cormac Ryan of Notre Dame. They both hit the floor and Ryan appeared to kick Johnson in the face.

Who was the first player to be there to stand up for his teammate?

Caleb Love.

Now let’s go back to the game versus Michigan.

After viewing both videos, let’s see what Head Coach Hubert Davis had to say via Ross Martin of Inside Carolina after the game on Twitter.

In the incredible tournament run last season, Davis spoke often about “getting back up” and a mentality of being in a fight. When you are the pre-season number one team and have the name North Carolina on your jerseys, every team you face will come ready to play. What we are seeing is the fruits of a team that is starting to understand that concept.

This is the mentality that makes long runs in March and early April.

On two recent occasions, we have witnessed a team that will defend each other and stands up for one another when necessary.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that Coach Davis is not preaching fights and violence to his team. However, it is a sign of a healthy team when they will quickly come to the defense of a teammate they feel has been wronged.

It’s a long season but the evidence of the message that Coach Davis is preaching has reached his team.

Next. Armando Bacot rebounding his way towards history. dark

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