Lessons Learned from the UNC basketball program's last gasp loss to Florida

The Tar Heels made a furious comeback from a 12-point halftime deficit, but couldn't finish the job.

Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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The RJ Davis we thought we were getting showed up

Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

RJ Davis has been in a bit of an early season funk. But against Florida, he started to get his groove back.

He was the only UNC player to score in double-digits in the first half with 13, and he largely kept the Tar Heels within shouting distance by getting to the free throw line (he was 6/6 from the line). But it was in the second half where he really got cooking. He scored twice during UNC's initial 11-0 run to get the Tar Heels within one before settling into a back and forth rhythm for a while.

He also snatched three steals in the second half, giving him four for the game. Davis is obviously not big enough to block shots at the rim, but whenever big men bring the ball low, he gets his nose in the mix and yanked the ball away from several Gators.

While it's disheartening to lose to an SEC team for the third time this season, if RJ Davis can play at this level or better for the rest of the season, UNC will at least be in the hunt for an ACC title. If not, the floor for this team drops precariously.

Schedule

Schedule