"Tar Heel of the Game" for the UNC basketball program's loss to Michigan State

A young team replacing 60% of its starting roster will have growing pains. That was made painfully clear during the Maui Invitational when the UNC basketball program needed the second-biggest comeback in school history to beat Dayton on Monday. Then, it followed that performance up with two back-to-back losses to Auburn and Michigan State.

But in the chaos of this slide, Hubert Davis has found something. Less heralded than his McDonald's All-American counterpart Ian Jackson, Drake Powell may have flown under the radar during the offseason. No more. His performances in Maui have demanded attention, and Coach Davis would be foolish to ignore it.

Drake Powell provided instant impact whenever he was on the court. He led the team with 18 points on 7/9 shooting (4-6 from three!) and had a career-high 33 minutes, despite missing time with an injury. Speaking of that injury, Powell was clearly hurt when he was stepped on by a MSU player during a defensive sequence, but gamely soldiered on, not giving up on the play before committing a foul to get off the court.

When he returned to action, he helped fuel UNC's charge to overtime, making a tough lay-up to briefly take a one-point lead midway through the second half, then hitting a huge three to pull the Tar Heels within four when they were in danger of falling too far behind with 6:26 left in regulation.

Drake Powell is just scratching the surface of his potential and will only improve as the season moves along. At this point, it doesn't seem if but when he'll be in the starting line-up. Whenever that is, look for him to keep making an instant impact.

Tar Heel of the Game Recipients (2024-2025 Season)

Elon- RJ Davis (1)
Kansas- Seth Trimble (1)
American- Jalen Washington (1)
Hawai'i- Elliot Cadeau (1)
Dayton- Seth Trimble (2)
Auburn- Seth Trimble (3)
Michigan State- Drake Powell (1)