Lessons Learned from UNC basketball's loss to Alabama in the ACC/SEC Challenge

Heels couldn't handle the ball

It was kind of baffling watching North Carolina mishandle the ball as if it were coated in Astroglide. The Tar Heels had a horrid time trying to corral the ball in every way you can imagine. They bobbled it on simple passes around the perimeter. They bumbled it in transition. But most importantly, they bungled it during really good drop-off passes from Elliot Cadeau and RJ Davis in the paint when they got double-teamed.

ESPN analyst Jay Williams commented more than once during the broadcast that last season, those passes get caught by Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram and get dunked. Keeping It Heel Site Expert Nick Delahanty must have been thinking the same thing while tweeting during the game:

Alabama's length certainly contributed to UNC's slippery hands, but simple pass catching has to be fundamental. I don't know if Coach Davis has the team catch wet volleyballs to work their hands out, or just figures this was a one-off.