Here is the one thing the UNC basketball program cannot afford to do in March

Throughout the 2023-2024 season, the UNC basketball program has proven that they can win under any circumstances. North Carolina is one of the best defensive teams in the nation and can score from anywhere on the court, which typically bodes well for teams that aspire to make deep postseason runs.

However, there have been times when the Tar Heels’ weaknesses have been exposed. When North Carolina is at its best, they are sharing the basketball and not settling offensively. In their seven losses, the Tar Heels have done the exact opposite.

For example, looking back on the ACC Tournament Championship game, R.J. Davis hit a few shots early. The rest of the team found themselves watching Davis play one-on-one rather than moving to create spacing and other scoring opportunities.

This is exactly what cannot happen in any game in March if North Carolina wants a legitimate chance at a National Championship. Freshman point guard Elliot Cadeau has been phenomenal all season long, facilitating the North Carolina offense, and will be an x-factor down the stretch.

North Carolina returning to that stagnant offensive style is a concern following their first-round rout of Wagner. R.J. Davis, Armando Bacot, and Jae’Lyn Withers both had outstanding offensive performances. While letting the hot hand cook worked well on Thursday, as North Carolina starts to face opponents of a higher caliber, it is going to take a more balanced attack to come out victorious.

Even though he is coming off his best offensive game of the season, Withers will still need to keep the mindset that he is a role player who will bring energy and athleticism defensively. Anything Hubert Davis gets from Withers in the scoring column is just a bonus.

If North Carolina’s offense continues to go with the flow and take what the defense gives them, the rest of the tournament field should beware of the Tar Heels. Settling for good or even bad shots over great shots could result in an early return to Chapel Hill.