UNC Basketball makes statement before hitting the road

The UNC basketball program wrapped up its three-game home stand with a convincing victory over UC Riverside on Friday night.

Typically, the UNC basketball program wears its white uniforms while competing at the Dean Smith Center.

Due to a uniform issue for their opponent, UC Riverside, the Tar Heels graciously wore their Carolina blues at home for the first time since Marcus Paige’s playing days (and just the fourth time over the last 30+ seasons).

The oddness of the road uniforms at home pretty much can help sum up this blowout victory for Hubert Davis’ team.

The first half was essentially defined by offensive streaks. North Carolina missed six of its first seven shot attempts but followed that up with a 17-0 run. Up by as many as 21 (up 30-9 at one point), the Tar Heels went ice cold to end the half to allow the Highlanders to cut the lead to just 11 by the half.

Although the first half was highlighted by the below dunk by Seth Trimble, as well as Armando Bacot cracking the top-10 scoring list in UNC basketball history, the first half had the feel that North Carolina should have been up much more.

Well, the second half began, and the Tar Heels took over once again.

It took UC Riverside over 9 minutes to score a field goal in the second half, as North Carolina’s defensive pressure helped the Tar Heels pull away. The 14-0 run to begin the half was too much for the Highlanders to handle, as North Carolina led by as much as 30 over the final half of play.

Armando Bacot didn’t have a double-double, but he did score a game-high 21 points, including draining his second career three-pointer.

Yes, you read that correctly!

Although North Carolina didn’t get much from its starters (other than Bacot and Harrison Ingram, who was just one rebound shy of a double-double), the bench gave the Tar Heels a good amount of production.

Jalen Washington, who Hubert Davis raves is the best shooting big man he’s ever coached, showcased that range by draining two three-pointers en route to an 11-point performance. Seth Trimble, who threw down that massive dunk we talked about earlier, connected on five of his seven shot attempts for 11 points.

As the Tar Heels prepare to head to the Bahamas for Thanksgiving week, this served as a final tune-up before hitting the road for the first time this season. Although there are still things that the UNC basketball program needs to figure out, you have to be encouraged by the win, especially getting contributions from some guys who will play important roles for this team all season long.

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