Let's be honest.
RJ Davis has not had the kind of start UNC basketball fans were hoping for through the first 11 games. But despite his shooting slump leading to lower than usual percentages — Davis had surpassed Phil Ford on the all-time scoring list.
The White Plains, New York native played his best game during the Jumpman Invitational — scoring 29 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Davis shot 52.6% from the field while only converting 27.3% (3-11) behind the arc.
One interesting aspect of Davis' output this season is that all of the shots he has taken are the same ones from a season ago. The same shots led to becoming ACC Player of the Year and First Team All-American.
It's nothing new; the shots just aren't falling for him.
Another reason for his unusual struggle is the lack of presence in the interior for coach Hubert Davis' team. Since Armando Bacot is no longer to be found within the program — teams do not have to worry about a threat around the rim, only on the perimeter — hence, Davis.
It has been a challenge for No. 4 to score due to being scouted after many seasons and all of the defensive attention going toward him.
Coach Davis has tried running him off many screens — looking for opportunities by any means possible. Davis had a wide-open shot coming off a flare screen along the right wing for a three-pointer to potentially tie the game against Florida but missed.
However, Davis began to look like his old self in more ways than one — scoring in bursts and, hurting his defenders on the inside, driving to the rim. Regardless of his lack of conversion on the outside, he made more than half of his shot attempts overall.
That in itself is a bright spot.
The Tar Heels are set to square off with No. 18 UCLA (10-1) this Saturday, October 21, at 3:00 p.m. in the CBS Sports Classic. Another big opportunity to defeat a top-25 opponent before heading into conference play.