Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Random Observations Duke Loss

By Aaron Conrad

Feb 4, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love (2) is harassed by Duke Blue Devils fans as he tries to inbound the ball during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 63-57. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love (2) is harassed by Duke Blue Devils fans as he tries to inbound the ball during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 63-57. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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UNC Basketball lost to Duke at Cameron Indoor on Saturday night 63-57. This was the first meeting since last season’s epic Final Four game. These are my random observations.

Let’s all take a collective breath and admit that UNC Basketball just lost an ugly very boring game to their rival.

There is a lot to unpack in this game as always, but the first thing that jumps out to me (and I continue to mention each time) is the rotation and lack thereof. What has emerged is that Head Coach Hubert Davis appears to give the bench some spot minutes in the first half. They do not appear in the second half.

Pete Nance had a terrible night. I am sure he knows that. I am sure fans will remind him of that. It was not a good night and thus I go back to why the bench is critical.

Pete Nance played for 30 minutes.

Leaky Black had a few huge shots but it was obvious that Duke was willing to give him whatever he wanted. I wonder what Tyler Nickel or Puff Johnson could do with those minutes. I realize there are defensive differences but the Tar Heels scored 57 points. Black’s man was not the issue.

The Tar Heels took 3 free throws the entire game. Read that again.

UNC did not lose this game because of officiating. They lost this game due to poor decisions on the offensive end and missed assignments on the defensive end.

There is still time and I am not one to overreact, but this team is trending toward possibly the most disappointing season in UNC Basketball history. Too much talent to be where they are and likely where they are headed.

The Tar Heels have earned the record they have. At some point, you have to give the guys on the bench a look. Change things up. Shake up the lineup. Do something because this is past a bad game or loss now. This is an identity.

That identity doesn’t go deep in the NCAA tournament and maybe sneaks in as a bubble team. Again.

Next. UNC Shows True Colors in Loss To Duke. dark

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